Highland Cross champions not in line to return for 2025 running of coast-to-coast duathlon
This weekend the Highland Cross will return for the 41st iteration of the unique coast-to-coast charity duathlon.
For 2025 there are 795 competitors registered to take up the challenge to cross the north of Scotland in a day, while raising money for charity, attracting a mixed athletic and fundraising field from all over Great Britain and beyond.
Once again, the number of participants who wanted to take part was greater than the number that the organisers have been able to accommodate in this unique event.
Last year’s winner and record holder, Ewan Brown, is not taking part this year, however previous winners Gordon Lennox (East Sutherland AC) from Alness and Peter Fenwick (Shetland AAC) from Inverness are back competing again.
Women’s champion for the past two years, Catriona Graves, is not taking part, however Sally Wallis who has twice previously finished third will be on the start line.
Other women in the field to watch include Inverness Harrier Catriona Fraser and Highland Hill Runner Sarah Hodgson, both of whom are taking part for the first time.
Last year the men’s record which had stood since 1993 of three hours, 13 minutes and 31 seconds was broken by 18 seconds by Ewan Brown, and as such now stands at three hours, 13 minutes and 13 seconds.
The female record of three hours, 48 minutes and nine seconds set by Angela Mudge in 2007 is still unchallenged.
As ever, the field shows that the Highland Cross is for all ages. There are two 18-year-olds, two 83-year-olds and most ages in between.
Over 50 of those expected to compete have been taking part for 20 years or more, and of those, 15 are taking part for at least the 30th time.
Two competitors, David Rose and John Talbot, have taken part in every Highland Cross, with this year set to be their 41st crossing. Graham Forbes is close behind on his 40th event.
The event consists of a 20 mile walk/jog/run from sea level at Morvich, Kintail on the west coast crossing over the 1000 foot high pass behind the Five Sisters of Kintail to Glen Affric in the middle of the Highlands.
At Glen Affric each participant collects their bicycle and rides the 30 miles to Beauly on the Highland east coast.
Those registered as walkers leave Morvich two hours earlier, and can take up to the full nine hours available to complete the event.
Since it’s inception in 1983 the event has raised £6.3m for Highland charities working with folk disadvantaged through medical or social need.
