DEVIL o’ the HIGHLANDS REPORT 2023 

Runners ready at start of the Devil o’ the Highlands race 2023 Pic, Adrian Tarit Stott

Michael Deason of Shettleston Harriers was the first to reach Fort William in this year’s Devil o the Highlands race. He won by 4 minutes from Kyle Wilson of Greenock Glenpark Harriers. Florent Weillaert, of Edinburgh’s Hunters Bog Trotters, was third.

 A total of 366 runners set off at 6 am on Saturday 12th August. Their simple aim was to run the 42 miles (69 km) of the West Highland Way to Fort William. 

After 7 miles, at the first checkpoint at Bridge of Orchy, the winning trio were in a leading pack that also included Tony Golabek (Inverness), Donald Macrae (Portobello) and John Gibb (Penicuik).

After the long stretch over Rannoch Moor to the 2nd Checkpoint at Glencoe Ski Centre (17 Miles) Wilson and Deason were together at 2:10:19 with Weillaert 2 minutes back in 5th place. 

The rain continued as the runners climbed up to, the highest point of the course at the top of the Devil’s staircase. Following the long descent down to sea level at Kinlochleven (27Miles), Wilson held a 15-second lead over Deason, 3:24:28 to 3:24:42. The duo had a clear lead over Richard Mair, who was now 3rd in3:42:06, with Willaert 4th, just over a minute back.

Mens Podium Devil, 23 l-r, Kyle Wilson 2nd Mike Deason 1st Florent Weillbaert 3rd Pic, Adrian Tarit Stott

On the long exposed stretch of the Lharig Mhor to Lundavra, Deason opened a 2-minute gap on Wilson that he was to increase to 4 minutes by the finish recording, 5:51:08. Wilson also dipped under the 6-hour barrier with 5:55:08.

Weillart came through for 3rd in 6:08:28. Forfar Road Runner Jonathon Hardman, took 4thin 6:14:22, and Iain Quimby, with the fastest mens time from Lundavra, finished 5th in 6:14:59 to also claim the Male Vet 40 prize.

Deason, the Glasgow-based American, who was second in the 2022 race, was pleased to take the win. “ All I wanted was to go under 6 hours, with the position immaterial. So I am chuffed to bits to have run well and taken the win.”

In the Women’s race, Morgan Windram-Geddes,(Fife AC), making her usual committed start, reached Bridge of Orchy (7 miles) in 54:10, over a minute ahead of Meryl Cooper( Deeside Runners) with Rachel Normand (Carnethy) further 30 seconds back, Glasgow,s Annie Walters and Kristi Skatoy from Norway were also close behind.

At 17 miles, as they reached Glencoe, Windram-Geddes was still leading, but Normand, with the fastest time over the Ranch Moor stretch, was now in second, just 30 seconds back, with Cooper just under a minute further behind. Normand proved the strongest on the climb over the Devil’s Staircase to Kinlochleven, and reached the 27-mile Checkpoint in 4:03:05, 4 minutes ahead of Cooper, who in turn had moved into 2nd with Windram-Geddes 3rd, 2 minutes back. Annie Walters in 4th, was still in contention for the podium, just 3 minutes adrift.

Rachel Normand Devil Champion 2023 Pic, Adrian Tarit Stott

Normand stayed strong right through to the finish, recording 6:29:36,11th place overall and the 4th fastest women’s time on the Devil course. The strength of the women’s field this year was evident. Despite the rainy conditions, Cooper took 2nd place in 6:40:49, 17th overall, and now 7th in the all-time Devil list, with Windram-Geddes holding on for 3rd in 6:46:23(20th overall).

Wom Podium Devil 2023 L-R Meryl Cooper 2nd Rachel Normand 1st Morgan Windram-Geddes 3rd. Pic,.Adrian Tarit Stott

Annie Watters took 4th in 7:09:16, SKatoy 5th in 7:11:42 and Central Ac’s Rebecca Hay rounded out the top six with 7:15:24.

Stuart MacFarlane, at 70, was the oldest male finisher in 11:26:31, with Jane Macleod, at 71, the oldest woman finisher in 11:38:54.

On a day when the persistent rain gave an added challenge to all the runners, 346 reached the finish line from 366 starters. All 36, with their own stories, of how the day unfolded for them.

Huge thank you to the 100 volunteers who made the race work smoothly on the day, and to John and Noanie, who selflessly coordinated the whole wonderful event. As an introduction to Ultra’s, in a totally supportive environment, put this one in your diary for next year.

Josh Hewitson’s short race video clip is HERE.

Graeme Hewitson spent a damp few hours on the Devil’s Staircase. Thanks, Graeme. His gallery is HERE.

Graham Milne has a Finishers gallery, a Glencoe/Buachaille background gallery, and others uploaded on the race FACEBOOK GROUP page.

Ig you missed our pre-race preview ,you can read it HERE

 

Category results,

1. Michael Deason Shettleston Harriers 5:51:08

2. Kyle Wilson. Greenock Glenpark 5:55:08

3. Florent Weillaert. Hunters Bog Trotters 6:08:28

Women 

1. Rachel Normand Carnethy HRC 6:29:36

2. Meryl Cooper Deeside Runners. 6:40:49

3. Morgan Windram-Geddes Fife AC. 6:46:23   

Male Vet 40 

Iain Quimby 6:14:59

Female Vet 40

Morgan Windram-Geddes Fife AC 6:46:23

Male Vet 50

Lorne Crawford. Motherwell AC 6:33:21

Female Vet 50

Marlene Baillie. 7:31:37

Male Vet 60

Graham Hall 7:25:25 

Female Vet 60

Jean MacDonald Dunoon Hill Runners 9:04:43

Male vet 70

Stuart MacFarlane. 100 Marathon Club 11:26:31

Female vet 70

Jane MacLeod Carnegie Harriers. 11:38:54

Full event details can be seen at the Devil o the Highlands website

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