The race includes exposed scrambles up Glen Coe's ridges. Photo: Ian Corless

Top mountain runners are among the entrants in a race over exposed mountain ridges in the Scottish Highlands.

Organisers of the Glen Coe Skyline have courted controversy with the route up Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mòr and along Aonach Eagach.

The former is a Moderate-grade climb and the latter has exposed sections of grade-two scrambling. But the tough, exposed 45km (28-mile) route hasn’t deterred some of the country’s best ultra- and mountain-runners, including Jim Mann and Jasmin Paris, who were first and second in last month’s Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race down the length of Wales.

Outdoor brand Salomon is the main sponsor of the race, with retailer Ellis Brigham also supporting the race, which takes place in August.

The route also takes in the Bidean nam Bian massif as well as remote backcountry.

Race director Shane Ohly said: “I am not creating another mass-participation running event, rather, a world-class course for experienced and competent participants.

“The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline is a fusion of mountain running and alpinism where competitors need to be skilled at both disciplines to negotiate the course.

“From the start we wanted to include Curved Ridge but were unable to confirm this 100 per cent until completing a series of risk assessments on the route in different weather conditions and consulting with independent experts on our plans to manage the runners on the route.

“The winter snow stayed on the higher parts of the route longer than expected so we had to delay the announcement until the route and our management plans could be site assessed in snow-free conditions. I am happy that we have now done this.”

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline is only open to experienced mountain runners. Photo: Ian Corless

Potential competitors need to provide evidence of their mountain-running experience and agree to a declaration that pulls no punches when it states that there is a ‘risk of serious injury or death whilst participating’ in the event.

International Association of Ultrarunners trail world champion Ricky Lightfoot from Cumbria said: “To get the opportunity to run a race along the infamous Aonach Eagach Ridge, a place untouched and of natural beauty, is something which no other race in the UK can offer. A true skyrunning experience where you’ll need the right mixture of endurance, experience and guts.”

Glasgow-based mountain runner, Tom Owens, who is a member of the Salomon International Team, said: “The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline will be the ultimate UK skyrace. It is comparable with the classic Italian skyraces which I love such as Sentiero delle Gringe and Trofeo Kima.

“An extremely challenging circular route with heaps of scrambling, ridge running, vertical and exposure. It will be a full-on adventure and a great showcase for the Scottish Highlands. The proposed route is creating a real buzz in the skyrunning community and I’m sure it will attract skyrunners from around the world in the future. Fingers crossed for good weather.”

The big European skyraces have been an influence on the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline with races like Zegama-Aizkorri seeing spectators flocking to the course much like the support seen at the Tour de France.

The race goes along Aonach Eagach

Shane Ohly said: “We will be providing free food and drink at the low level support points for both competitors and supporters in 2015 in an effort to encourage friends and family of competitors and locals to support the runners.

“Our intention is to team up with some local guides to provided guided walks to key high level sections of the course, again so that people can watch the race, but in the best possible locations.”

Es Tresidder and Finlay Wild, the two leading British ridge runners of their generation, have also confirmed that they will race this August.

Finlay Wild, the Fort William-based runner and Cuillin Ridge record holder, said: “I’m really excited about this race. The European skyraces look like a fantastic mix of technical running and scrambling, and Scotland certainly has loads of suitable terrain.

“Running the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline includes some of the best scrambling in Lochaber. The Aonach Eagach is one of the most famous ridges in Scotland and is well suited to running as the more technical sections are short-lived and relatively easy.

“Of course much of the route is hugely exposed and should attract only confident scramblers. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea but for runners who relish moving fast on rough mountaineering ground this route is totally inspiring.

The mountains of Glencoe await the runners

“Although not as rough as the Cuillin, there’s a huge amount of interesting technical terrain up there. In fact a large amount of the route is on narrow but very runnable ridges, with fantastic views to the rest of Glen Coe and beyond.

“I love the feeling of being on top of the world that comes with running light and fast along narrow exposed ridges. For me, the biggest challenge will be the sheer length of the route.”

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline takes place on Saturday 22 August and is based at the Glencoe Mountain Resort. More details are on the Glen Coe Skyline website.