ARCHIVED RACE: Isle of Harris Half Marathon @ Borve, Isle of Harris, Scotland, United Kingdom on 06 July 2013

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Harris Half Marathon on Saturday 6th July 2013!

Every time you run this race you will be amazed by the scenery. The race starts near Borve Lodge and runs at first along the coastline with some truly spectacular views. Look out for the ‘castaway’ island of Taransay before the road turns east and passes the vast expanse of Luskentyre beach on the left – recently voted by Travel Magazine as among the top 7 beaches in the world.

Then comes the ‘interesting’ challenge of the 140m ascent (a water stop with jelly beans awaits you at the top) beyond which you can view Tarbert in the distance and enjoy the last 4 1⁄2 miles of (mostly) decent with breathtaking views over the Minch to Skye on the right. Enjoy the scenery – it might make you run faster!

You will be bused from the registration point in Tarbert to the race start. This gives the chance to see the route and invariably increases the nerves too! There is the option to ‘spend a penny’ near the coastline shortly before the start or if you don’t fancy that then visit the loo at registration just before the bus leaves. Running the race in this direction means that most years the prevailing wind is behind you! I said ‘most years’ …. in 2012 there was a force 6 headwind! But one of the prize winners still got a PB!

Ferry times on race day:
Depart Uig 0945 Arr Tarbert 1125
Depart Tarbert 2100 Arr Uig 2240
also see www.calmac.co.uk.
We’d encourage you to make a weekend of it and take up some of the sponsors’ special offers (see below for details) but it’s also possible to do it as a day trip. There’ll be lots of runners on the ferry!

Entries requested in advance by post (see entry form on http://www.srac.org.uk/harrishalf.htm) but can also be accepted on the day at Registration. No limit on numbers.

Registration is from 10.00 am to 12.20 pm in the community centre (2 mins walk from the ferry terminal, on the left as you pass the Tourist information point in the main car park in Tarbert.)

Race start:
Buses leave the Tourist information car park at 12.30 pm prompt to go to the starting line just North of Borve. Race starts at 1.00 pm

Changing area:
Male and female changing areas and toilets are located inside the community centre

Showers and pool:
Runners can have a free shower in the Sports Centre on the left hand side of the main Tarbert Stornoway road, a few minutes walk from the finish line. There is a great wee pool and a sauna and jacuzzi too. Presumably you won’t want to visit the gym…

Belongings:
Can be left in the changing areas in the community centre.

Clothing for the start line:
We’ll collect everyone’s stuff together and lay it out on a table in the community hall. So if you’re precious about your stuff then don’t take it to the start line!

Free grub:
All runners will get a mars bar at the finish line and free soup, sandwiches, tea, coffee and biscuits after the race in the community hall. Non runners will be able to purchase the same.

Prize giving:
Prize giving starts at 4 pm prompt. The fun run prizes will be given first, followed by the half marathon prizes (1st 2nd and 3rd overall plus the winners in each category – female v35/45/55, male v40/50/60, 1st local runners, 1st teams). The Heb 3 prize giving will then follow.

Water stops:
4 water stops, at roughly 3 mile intervals (second one is at the bottom of ‘the hill’ at the Luskentyre road end, third one is at the top of ‘the hill’ at the Episcopal church as the road turns North again)

Sponsor Specials:

The medal ribbons are unique – hand sown Harris Tweed made by Catherine at Harris Tweed Isle of Harris. Visit her shop (you’ll pass it on your right 400m before the finish line) for some wonderful products.

Sea Harris offer discounts to half marathon runners. Go to www.seaharris.co.uk for details of their trips, which include the beautiful Shiant Islands in the Minch and St Kilda in the Atlantic.

The Harris Hotel is located on the right hand side of the main Tarbert to Stornoway Road, a few minutes walk from the finish line. They offer half marathon runners 10% discount on meals and accommodation.

Results will be available on the day at the prize giving, but also on www.srac.org.uk/harrishalf.htm and on the Scottish Athletics website.