Barrathon


The Barrathon is an annual half marathon which takes place on the Isle of Barra, which is the southern most inhabited isle of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The Barrathon was initially a single event to mark the millennium, and a chance to raise some money for charity at the same time. The Charity was MacMillan Cancer Support.

Recent winners

Table of recent winners.
YearDateFinishersTime Men's winnerTime Women's winner
2000371:21:06Simon Axon1:42:09Marsie Ewing
2001461:25:51Simon Axon1:46:36Heather McIntosh
2002641:18:08Terence Coyle1:41:46Gillian Mckelvie
2003891:15:37Stuart Gibson1:33:07Isobel Knox
2004871:16:23Graham Beal1:23:53Janet Roxburgh
20052 July981:22:16Brendan Bolland1:28:49Megan Clarke
20061 July1141:13:13Paul Freary1:34:54Isobel Knox
200730 June1291:14:25Jamie Reid1:35:52Amanda Henderson
20081561:21:44Benjamin Kemp1:28:28Michelle Hetherington
20094 Jul1671:19:33Graham Beal1:31:07Marietta Beal
20101621:16:27Phil Mowbray1:27:52Megan Wright
20112 July2271:15:00Jamie Reid1:31:36Gillian Carr
20122501:20:53Andrew Laycock1:32:17Gloria White
201329 June2421:13:13Neil Renault1:30:10Gloria White
201428 June2411:18:28Ray Ward1:27:12Eilis McKechanie
201527 June2491:17:12Ray Ward1:30:14Megan Mowbray
201625 June2331:19:22Colin Doig1:31:49Megan Mowbray
20171 July2551:11:49Tom Martyn1:30:07Georgia Tindley
201830 June2711:13:24Fraser Stewart1:29:38Zanthe Wray
201929 June2771:12:23Cameron Milne1:26:02Jennifer Wetton

Route

The Barrathon route is a clockwise circuit of the island, following an undulating course, the lowest point being near sea level and the highest point being just under 350 ft.
The route starts in Castlebay at about 60 ft falling quickly to sea level before rising to 100 ft around the 1-mile mark. The next 0.5 miles is mainly downhill and then the course undulates between sea level and 50 ft until the 4-mile mark.
From mile 4, the course climbs gradually as the route starts to head east, peaking at around 170 ft just past the 5.5-mile stage. The next 1.5 miles see the route drop back to sea level as the 7-mile mark is approached.
From miles 7 to 9, the route starts to work its way round the east coast of the island over a number of short, small climbs ranging from 50 ft to 90 ft. This is quickly followed by a downhill 0.5-mile and a gently undulating course to the 10.5-mile mark. From here the route climbs steeply to 340 ft at the 11.5-mile stage.
The route offers some respite with a mile long descent followed by a short but sharp climb of approximately 40 ft before a fairly steady run to the finish point in Castlebay.
The course was officially measured in 2008 by a company on behalf of Scottish Athletics and meets the minimum distance for a half marathon. The official record is over the measured course.

Fun Runs

There is also a "Fun Run" which is 3 miles. Runners must be 11 or over. Additionally, there is also a "Junior Fun Run" which is approximately 1 mile. The Junior Fun Run is for runners aged 4–10.