Fast times at Devil O’ the Highland’s Race
As Irvine and McGill take the victories.
Full resukts and race details HERE
Gus Irvine ( Motherwell/Pyllon) and Alison McGill (Fife AC) clocked two of the fastest times ever recorded on the course as they took the wins at the Devil O’ the Highlands race.
The annual 42-mile race run over the Northern part of the West Highland Way trail from Tyndrum to Fort William set off at 6 am on Saturday, 26th April.
Gus Irvine was the early leader on the initial fast stretch to Bridge of Orchy at 7 Miles, covering the stretch in 42:32. He was followed, around a minute later, by Calum Martin of Highland Hill Runners.
A chasing group of leading contenders, Josh Bakker-Dyos(Royal NavyAC), Kyle Wilson(Greenock Glenpark), Allan Christie (Metro Aberdeen), and Paul Peciura (Westerlands CCC ) were all in touching distance.
Irvine was still ahead after the long stretch over Rannoch moor to Glencoe Ski Centre(17 Miles), reached in 1:59:45. Martin was second in 2:04:31, with Bakker-Dyos 2:05:50 and Bryan Mulgrew ( Bellehouston RR) clocking 2:05:56.
Over the Devil’s Staircase and down into Kinlochleven (27 Miles), Irvine increased his lead to almost 10 minutes, recording 3:19:04. The podium places were changing, as Kyle Wilson was now in second with 3:28:49. Bakker-Dyos was third with 3:30 36, Martin 4th in 3:31:11,
Peciura and Allan Christie were together at 3:32:55.
On the long remote stretch over the Lharig Mhor to Lundavra(35 Miles, Irvine maintained his lead, arriving at 4:24:28.
Peciura had moved up to 2nd in 4:37:05, with Wilson in close pursuit at 4:37:23.
Irvine was to finish in 5:20:05, the third fastest time on the Devil course,
Only Casey Morgan with 5:13:42 from 2014 and Rob Sinclair’s record of 5:12:21.from 2017 are faster.
Second place went to Pecuira in 5:31;08 with Kyle Wilson third in 5:37:18, Metro Aberdeen” Alan Christie took fourth in 5:44:16 and Bakker-Dyos 5th just behind in 5:46:18.
Irvine commented afterwards
“I really enjoyed the race yesterday. Everything went well. The weather gave us optimal running conditions and allowed me to keep a decent intensity throughout. It was nice to keep my running momentum going and look straight ahead to what’s next.
Paul Peciura said,
“It was my first time racing the Devil, and what a day! It felt like everything was coming together, with favourable weather, and great competition, the race was well organised, and I felt strong throughout. Looking forward to the West Highland Way now!
Alison McGill reached Bridge of Orchy(7 Miles) in 50:31, just over a minute ahead of Fanni Gyorko in 51:48. Alice Baird and Maria Mott were around 2-3 minutes back.
Mcgill reached Glencoe mountain resort (17 Miles)in 2:18:14 and had opened up a 12-minute lead on Gyorko and Baird,
Gyorko was to drop out here with a knee issue she wasnt wanting to further aggravate.
By Kinlochleven, 27 Miles, reached in 3:49:53, she was 20 minutes ahead of Baird,4:09:40.
Meanwhile, Carol Newman (Carnethy ) had moved up to third with 4:32:10
By Lundavra,. checkpoint at 35miles she had extended that lead to over 25 minutes ,5:07:28 to Bairds 5:35:51 with Newman still holding third in 5:58:35
Mcgill powered on to reach the finish in Fort William in a superb 6:18:19 in 13th place overall increasing her lead over Baird to 30 minutes.
It is the second fastest women’s time on the Devil course behind Lucy Colquhoun’s record of 5:47:28 from 2011
Alice Baird finished second in 6:50:19 and Carol Newman third, in 7:15:14
McGill commented afterwards,
“After a week of weather watching and slightly dreading the rain showers forecast, the racing conditions were perfect;dry, not too hot and with a light breeze.
The first section down to Bridge of Orchy was nice and steady, and we had some great chat and company. A close encounter with some highland cows helped to lift the race nerves too!
Going into Rannoch Moor, I was a little anxious as I’ve always struggled to maintain pace up the long road ahead, but the company was amazing, and my legs were happy.
Heading towards the Devil’s Staircase, the dark clouds loomed ahead, but still, it remained dry.
I took it steady down into Kinlochleven, fuelled up and then had a good run along Lairig Mor to the big gate (my favourite gate!). Heading towards Lundavra, I had my first low patch, mostly due to lack of fuel, as by then, I was fed up with the gels and needed a change. Good learning for the future 🙂
As always, I was relieved to finally make it onto the firetrack. That final torturous climb up towards Cow Hill, before popping out of the trees and running down into the finishing straight to the most amazing reception.”
Some 2025 Race stats
Updated fastest finish times.
206 Women Started 192 Finished 244 Entered
248 Men started: 237 Finished 318 entries
4 Non-Binary Started 4 Non-Binary Finished 4 Non-Binary Entered.
Finishing percentages are 45% women 54% Males 1% Non-Binary.
John and Noanie had trialled an Active gender equality entry system this year to encourage more women to participate. Noanie commented post-race, “Many people commented to us how many more women were running this year and how great a feel it gave to the event. We have received many good comments on this.”
Masters Times Women
Female V 40 Alison McGill. Fife AC 6:18:49.
Female V 50 Marlene Baillie. Unattached. 7:42:35
Female V 60 Sian Morgan Unnattached 8:31:31
Female V70. Jane McLeod Carnegie Harriers 11:19:37
RD-John Duncan with V70 winners JaneMcLeod and Robin Livingstone Devil 2025 Pic Devil Race
Masters times
Male V 40 Gus Irvine. Pyllon 5:20:05 New V40 record
Male V 50. Ian Collins Westerlands 6:25:41
Male V 60. Ian Burdett Haddington 7:52:17
Male V 70 Robin Livingstone Perth RR. 9:38:21
Masters Times Women
Female V 40 Alison McGill. Fife AC 6:18:49.
Female V 50 Marlene Baillie. Unattached. 7:42:35
Female V 60 Sian Morgan Unnattached 8:31:31
Female V70. Jane McLeod Carnegie Harriers 11:19:37
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Adrian Tarit Stott.
The author is a former GB 24-hour ultra international with over 100 ultra race completions. He has also been involved in organising ultra-distance races for over 30 years. Still an active recreational runner, he is currently a member of UKA’s Ultra Running Advisory Group (URAG) and the Mountain and Trail Advisory Group. He also contributes as part of the selection and team management for both Scottish and GB ultra teams. A freelance writer in his spare time, he contributes articles and reports to several websites and magazines including Athletics Weekly and Irunfar.
