On the leisurely drive from Glasgow up to Glencoe on the west coast of Scotland, we cross the ice-blue expanse of Loch Lomond, the majestic ridges of the Highlands and Glen Etive, the impossibly picturesque web site of that scene in James Bond movie Skyfall.
You suppose, this can be a good spot for a run. But 120 miles? More than four-and-a-half marathons throughout 4 days together with 18,225 toes of ascent up these imposing peaks? It’s sufficient to make you pause for thought.
Yet if that does tickle your fancy, Highland Kings is simply the factor for you: a troublesome and rewarding ultra-marathon in a stunning setting, a course steeped in Scottish historical past and traditions and with high-end luxury woven into the material of the occasion.
Participants have a staff of butlers on name 24/7, Michelin Star-level meals to gas up and saunas on web site to chill out after a tough day’s run, plus swanky in a single day lodging.
That’s not to point out the six months of non-public coaching from world-leading specialists – extra on that later – to lick you into form forward of probably considered one of the hardest challenges of your life. It could, nevertheless, cost nearly £17,000.
Despite the price ticket, individuals throughout the world are queueing up for subsequent yr’s Highland Kings, with 410 enquiries about the remaining 30 spots as they put together to collect in April for the sophomore occasion after its inaugural displaying in 2022.
So is it price it? With round six months to go till the 2023 race, Sportsmail‘s MAX MATHEWS ventures up to Scotland and takes a deep dive into the Highland Kings problem which is shaking up the ultra-running world.
Highland Kings is described as ‘the most unique, luxury ultra-run expertise on the planet’
Event founder Matt Smith (centre) has designed a 120-mile course with 18,225 toes of ascent
Avid outdoorsman Smith, a former Army Sergeant Major, spent six years with Special Forces
MADE IN SCOTLAND
Event founder Matt Smith, an affable and dryly humorous former Sergeant Major and veteran of six years in the Special Forces, is aware of all about how rewarding pushing your self to the limits – each bodily and mentally – might be.
Combine that along with his nostril for journey and a love of the outside, notably the beautiful, idyllic setting of his childhood explorations, and you have Highland Kings.
The combating spirit of Kenneth I, the first King of Scotland, and legendary warrior Robert the Bruce will encourage runners as they traverse historic paths, with bagpipes serenading their journeys and a ceremonial sword at the end.
So, though one can think about a future occasion in, say, south-east Asia or the Andes, Highland Kings feels very a lot rooted in Scotland, primarily based at the stately Dalness Estate in the shadow of 5 Munros (a Scottish mountain taller than 3,000 toes).
There’s a motive iconic explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes calls Smith’s brainchild ‘a pioneering extremely, bringing collectively the better of Scotland to ship a singular luxury, endurance and immersive wilderness expertise.’
But Smith is not the just one inspiring you to deal with the race…
The race will happen in the beautiful, idyllic surroundings of the west coast of Scotland (above)
Runners may have to battle uneven terrain, inclines and descents, and doubtlessly poor climate
The course is steeped in Scottish historical past and traditions, with bagpipes serenading runners
EXPERT HELP
If you pay for the full Monty, £16,995 relatively than the £8,995 for extra skilled runners simply paying to flip up at the begin line, the military of world-leading specialists accessible to you is enviable.
Jon Albon, ranked No 2 in the world by the International Trail Running Association, and Anna-Marie Watson, who has run the ‘Toughest Footrace on Earth’ Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert twice, coach you on mindset – 90 per cent of the battle, in accordance to Watson.
Ultra-runner and triathlete Watson, who hated PE as a toddler however spent 9 years in the Army, tells Sportsmail that Highland Kings’ luxury reward at the finish of the day is a ‘sport changer’ when it comes to runner motivation, earlier than hailing the ‘very particular’ occasion.
Physio Alison Rose, who has labored at 5 Olympics with the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Olympic gold medal-winning brothers Jonny and Alistair Brownlee, will information you via the bodily exertions, whereas communications specialist Tom Lowe is there to guarantee athlete security too.
Runners can name upon the experience of triathlete and efficiency coach Anna-Marie Watson (left), and World No 2-ranked path runner Jon Albon (proper), as they get in form for the occasion
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK?
It’s that world-class help which goes a way to explaining why Highland Kings really feel the occasion is sweet worth.
And sure, £16,995 is a number of money in a cost-of-living disaster, with some critics questioning how accessible it truly is. Not everybody may have that cash.
Smith may argue the coaching staff on provide means it is so accessible even somebody who has solely run a 10K (assuming they’ve the cash) can full the race after six months of steering. And the luxury on provide is fairly spectacular too.
Runners obtain a Whoop strap to observe bodily information, a Garmin watch programmed with the race routes, and therapeutic massage therapists to ease aching muscle tissue.
Home comforts: The luxurious bell tents on Dalness Estate that individuals can be staying in
The spacious bell tents embrace a double mattress with a reminiscence foam mattress and Egyptian cotton sheets and a sheepskin rug, amongst a lot of different good touches like every day home made cookies and granola bars from chef Alan Murchison and – crucially, I’m advised – glorious regionally sourced espresso.
All this implies some in the ultra-running world have labelled Highland Kings as ‘gentle’ or ‘comfortable’, and missing the actual grind of a Marathon des Sables, the place runners carry their very own tents and meals and sleep deprivation is a basic a part of the race.
To which I’d say: it is nonetheless 120 miles with 18,225 toes of ascent in 4 days, solely 5 completed the full race final yr, and if you actually fancy a grim and austere expertise, fill your boots elsewhere.
But if you need some consolation as you put the miles in, it most likely will not come a lot better than this.
‘ALMOST LIKE A HOLIDAY’
For Sian Slater, the first ever particular person to join to the occasion, it is that further mile and people little touches that make the distinction.
Lavender baggage. Hot water bottles positioned rigorously into mattress for you. The first cup of tea in the morning. All helped give the impression it was ‘nearly like a vacation’ for Slater.
The 59-year-old can be kicking off her seventh decade in April as the race begins and, talking with real and infectious enthusiasm to Sportsmail, she credit the occasion with boosting her confidence, vanity and joie de vivre.
2022 participant Sian Slater (above) waxes lyrical about her expertise of the occasion
Slater says: ‘The mentoring and training programme was excellent, and nice worth. You have been working with the finest athletes, coaches and specialists in the world to put together you for the occasion – one thing I by no means thought potential.
‘I learnt a lot and acquired to the begin line in the finest form, and with a very optimistic mindset to tackle the 120-mile problem.
‘One factor I wasn’t anticipating was the neighborhood we created round the coaching. By the time we acquired to the occasion, there was a camaraderie that pushed and supported us via the occasion. I am unable to wait to do all of it once more!’
So she’s returning for a second yr – and this time, she’s bringing her associate alongside too.
SO WHY DO IT? AND IS IT WORTH IT?
For somebody who has by no means run greater than a 5K, and in the firm of skilled runners, it was with no little trepidation that Sportsmail approached the foot of Ben Nevis for a ‘gentle taster’ in the type of a 10K run round Britain’s highest mountain.
Yet by the finish, my eyes sparkled with exhilaration and I felt energised (admittedly achy too) relatively than exhausted. Runner’s excessive, apparently, as Smith joked I ought to join subsequent yr’s race. And I’ve to admit, cash apart, I thought of it.
Here you tackle forces which could break you, and make it to the finish, unbroken. Going to corners of the distant Scottish Highlands, to the high of the world and again once more.
It’s price asking what Highland Kings really is. Is it a race, to come first and as rapidly as potential? To some, perhaps.
Sportsmail (centre) having fun with a ‘gentle’ 10km run round the base of Ben Nevis, close to Fort William
Reconnaissance mission: Sportsmail (left) checks out the route for the 2023 version of the race
It’s additionally about particular person journeys – competing in opposition to your self, and your individual limitations, as a lot as others – and is all the extra relatable and emotionally resonant for it.
I am unable to say whether or not it is price the cash, however the reality that folks from as far-off as Singapore and the US have signed up and that six of final yr’s contingent are returning would definitely point out that it’s, at the very least for them.
Proving a degree to your self, that a rare feat of grit and resilience is achievable for anybody with the cash who units their thoughts to it.
Slater insists, for her, it was not a query of who gained, simply individuals doing the finest they’ll in the circumstances they’ve. And is not that simply what life is? So there you have it: Highland Kings, ultra-marathon, metaphor for all times.
The Highland Kings Ultra expertise will begin this November, in preparation for the 120-mile ultra-run in April 2023. It is described as the most unique, luxury ultra-run expertise on the planet. ‘Race like a warrior, get well like a king.’
For extra information and to join, go to: www.highland-kings.com.
Coming to an in depth: the joint winners of the 2022 occasion cross the end line arm in arm (above)