Competitors head for Kinlochewe on the fourth day of the event. Photo: Photo: Jimmy Hyland/JHP Visuals.co.uk

It’s not everybody’s idea of a summer holiday: running during eight days through the Scottish Highlands, and climbing more than 36,000ft over some of the most remote terrain in the country.

But for Carol Morgan, the vacation had a perfect ending – victory in the Cape Wrath Ultra Race.

The Irish ultrarunner took the women’s trophy in the 400km (249-mile) race, arriving at the finish line in the far North-West in a running time of 55hrs 11mins 53secs.

The 44-year-old, whose husband Simon Franklin also took part in the race, said the pair were treating the event as their summer holiday.

Morgan beat English runner Sarah Witte into second place, 2hrs and 42mins behind at the finish point at the Cape Wrath lighthouse. Karoline Hanks of South Africa finished third in 59hrs 3mins 58secs.

Overall Cape Wrath Ultra winner was Robert Barnes of Luton, whose time of 45hrs 37mins 23secs was more than two hours faster than second-place runner Jim Mann. Jamie Ramsay took third place with a time of 49hrs 7mins 17secs.

Race winner Robert Barnes. Photo: Photo: Jimmy Hyland/JHP Visuals.co.uk

The 32-year-old winner said: “I have enjoyed the race and I am pleased to win. It has been a great week.

“I did struggle on the rockier terrain because I am not used to that but I like running on grass and heather and there has been enough of that.

“Fisherfield on day five was my hardest day but really I have been fine and suffered no injuries.”

Jim Mann, 41, winner of the Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race in 2015 and runner-up in 2017, said: “The Cape Wrath Ultra has been a great race although tough for me.

“On day three I wasn’t sure I would be able to continue because I felt so fatigued due to illness but I have made it.

“I am tired now and relieved to have reached the finish line. I would like to go back to see all the great scenery that I didn’t fully appreciate while running.”

Mann paid tribute to the winner. He said: “Robert ran a fantastic race. He nailed it and I am pleased for him.”

Third placed Ramsay, 38, who is originally from Scotland and now living in London, said: “I smashed out the first 10k today but then my ankle tendon started to hurt a lot again. I have been in so much pain these last few days.

“I have had a fantastic time, though, and I have been very appreciative of all my fellow runners who have supported me throughout the event.

Women's winner Carol Morgan. Photo: Photo: Jimmy Hyland/JHP Visuals.co.uk

“I feel humbled by the Cape Wrath Ultra.”

Carol Morgan finished in 12th place overall. Her victory in the Cape Wrath Ultra confirms her pre-eminent position in ultrarunning, adding to her previous victories in the Montane Spine Race and the Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race.

After finishing, she said: “I feel great. Yesterday was a hard day for me and I felt fatigued after so many days of running. I think I was also mentally tired.

“So, it is great to reach Cape Wrath. It feels like we have run to the edge of the world.”

Morgan’s husband, who finished the race 10 hours behind her, said: “This is our summer holiday and we have had an amazing time.

“I had never been further north than Fort William on the west coast and we want to come back to see many fantastic places again.”

Women’s runner up Sarah Witte said: “It has been an amazing experience. I have been through every type of emotion from tears to joy.

“The people I have shared a tent with have been brilliant. There were all kinds of people and some I would not normally mix with but I have greatly enjoyed meeting them all. It has been inspiring.”

Hanks, 47, said: “I had no idea what to expect in this race and I really did not think I would end up in third place.

“I think Carol and Sarah are much stronger than me although I did enjoy dancing through the grass near the beach with Sarah earlier today. But then she took off because she has more power in her quads than me.

“It has been a tough race but I have enjoyed myself very much. I think the end of the Cape Wrath Ultra was the best location of any race finish I have ever done. It was fantastic.”

The Cape Wrath Ultra is a biennial event and follows roughly the Cape Wrath Trail, from Fort William to Cape Wrath. The start saw 177 runners leave the Lochaber town, with 110 of them managing to finish the course.

Race director Shane Ohly said: “I have been impressed by all the competitors and I think Robert Barnes is a name to keep an eye on in future ultrarunning races.

“I am also very pleased for Carol Morgan who has again showed her amazing strength and determination in these endurance events.

“I am very grateful to an amazing event team, including staff and volunteers, for all their support.”