Concept

• The Montane Scottish Ultra Marathon Series (SUMS) comprises nine independently organised Scottish Ultra Marathons to form a season-long championship. 

Participation

• Athletes must complete a minimum of four races to qualify, although they may enter all nine. The lowest four points scored will be aggregated to produce a final total. 

Entry

• No entries are required for SUMS. Entry for the individual races should be made directly to the organisers or website concerned. 

Scoring

• The winner of each race will be awarded 1 point. All other placings will be factored to ensure that every race in the Series counts equally.  See here for details.

Awards

• Series sponsor Montane will present awards for overall (M & F) and category (MV, MSV, FV, & FSV) first, second and third places. 

Prizegiving

• A SUMS Ball Prize-giving will be held in Ayr Town Hall after the RAW (18^th Sept). Cocktail dresses or ball gowns for girls, black tie, kilts, or (at least) lounge suits for boys. 

Ball Tickets

• £10 each – Send cheque (made out to SUMS) to SUMS, Craig Ailey, South Ailey Rd, Cove, Argyll G84 0PL asap. Remember to book early to avoid disappointment.

EVENTS

6th March Glasgow – Edinburgh Double Marathon – www.resoluteevents.co.uk

The City to City double marathon follows the Forth & Clyde and Union canals from Ruchill Park in Glasgow to Edinburgh Quay, near Haymarket Railway Station. The 56 mile course is largely flat along canal towpaths past the Antonine Wall and the Falkirk Wheel. This central belt Ultra is growing rapidly due to its good transport links and convenience for Scotland’s main centres of population. Organiser James McMeekin  RESULTS (pdf) SUMS POINTS (xls)

3rd April D33 – Deeside Way Ultra – http://deesidewayultra.webnode.com  

D33

The D33 has been organised specifically to provide a North-East Ultra for the SUMS. The 33-mile route goes out and back along the Deeside Way, starting and finishing in Aberdeen’s Duthie Park. In future, the D33 will swap places with the Glasgow-Edinburgh Double Marathon to allow the Series to start with the shorter race. Gaining entries within hours of its creation the D33 looks certain to be very popular. Organiser George Reid RESULTS (pdf) SUMS POINTS (xls)

24th April Montane Highland Fling Race - www.highlandflingrace.org

The Fling is run along the Southern 53 miles of the West Highland Way from Milngavie, near Glasgow, to Tyndrum.  Whether because of the Loch Lomondside scenery, the fun atmosphere, or the generous presents, which include free Montane tops, champagne, beer, and stovies, the Fling is the biggest Ultra race in Britain. The Fling incorporates a Team Ultra event and a relay race, and its popularity is illustrated by the hundreds who run to create a modern classic. Organiser Murdo MacDonald

15th May Cateran Trail Ultramarathon – http://cateran55ultra.webnode.com

The 55-mile Cateran Trail follows many of the old drovers’ paths through the heart of Scotland. The race takes an attractive and convenient circular route through Glenshee, past Forter Castle, Kirkton of Glenisla, Alyth and Blairgowrie, where it turns North through Strathardle to Enockdhu where it heads back to the Start/Finish point on the A93 at Spittal of Glenshee Hotel. The Cateran is easily accessible and the circular route simplifies transport arrangements.           Organiser Karen Donoghue

19th June West Highland Way Race – www.westhighlandwayrace.org

The “Blue Riband” of Scottish Ultra running since its inception in 1985, the West Highland Way Race is a classic long distance challenge where finishing is truly as important as winning. Over 500 athletes have completed the race, which covers the whole 95 miles of the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William, to collect the treasured crystal goblet. The standing of the race is shown by the need for a waiting list to cope with all the hopeful entrants.         Organiser Ian Beattie

17th July “Clyde Stride” – Clyde Walkway Race –http://clydestride.webnode.com

Created especially for the SUMS the “Stride” provides the opportunity to race along one of Scotland’s most beautiful and accessible new pathways. It runs from Glasgow (Partick Railway Station) along the Clyde through Strathclyde Regional Park, the Unesco World Heritage Site at New Lanark, and the Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve to finish at Bonnington Linn. The superb track and scenery ensure a rapid rise to Ultra stardom for the “Stride”.  Organiser Lee MacLean

7th August Devil o’ the Highlands – www.devilothehighlandsfootrace.co.uk

The third of the West Highland Way “Triple Crown,” the Devil runs the Northern 43 miles from Tyndrum to Fort William. It takes in great wilderness scenery including Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, and the fearsome “Devil’s Staircase,” which requires some rules regarding support for participating runners. The terrain necessitates a maximum entry, and the race’s status is such that it is usually oversubscribed. Organiser Gary Milne

28th August Speyside Way Race – http://speysidewayrace.webnode.com

The return of one of Scotland’s classic ultras gives SUMS its most northerly race. The course will run from Ballindalloch down the Speyside Way to its finish at Buckie. This is slightly longer than the race’s earlier incarnation and it is now up to 35 miles. However, the marvellous scenery and the easy to run track will ensure that the new Speyside Way Race will soon regain its position as one of Scotland’s most loved races. Organiser Sarah-Louise Grigor

18th September River Ayr Way Challenge – River Ayr Way Challenge

Entry form DOC PDF

From the source of the River Ayr at Glenbuck to the sea at the “old toun,” the River Ayr Way Challenge is a mostly pathway 41 mile Ultra which provides the perfect Series finale. The race is organised by East Ayrshire Council in conjunction with a charity walk, which means the race prize-giving takes place a week later. However, the SUMS Gala Prize-giving will be organised in Ayr on the night of the RAW Challenge. Organiser Louise Kyle

Race contacts