Runners

ORKNEY, UKWITH THANKS TO THE DIGITAL MEDIA ORKNEYPROJECT FOR ORGANISING SAM MURPHY’S TRIPthe sudden approach offootsteps from behind,as someone who’s pacedit better passes with amerry ‘Well done!’Most of the marathoncompetitors are local.Other than three overseasrunners, I think I take theprize for ‘longest journeytravelled’, having come upfrom the UK’s south coast,though I do meet a couplefrom Kent; it’s Simon’s90th marathon and he’shoping to join the 100Marathon Club by the endof the year. ‘It’s hard tofind marathons at thistime of year and we likedthe sound of Orkney,’ hetells me. ‘It’s different.’Different it is. This isnot a race for those wholike the perpetual roar ofclapping and cheering.``````Here, spectators comemostly in ones and twos,standing at the bottom oftheir gardens offeringwords of encouragement.The stretch from thevillage of Evie, around18 miles in, gets hillier.And as the mile markersreach the early twentiesI’m beginning to think I’llneed one of St Magnus’smiracles to finish. Theshort offroad sectionduring the last mile hasme tottering like Bambi,on legs with nothing moreto give, but, finally, I’mrunning beneath the finishgantry in front of a smallbut enthusiastic crowd.Within half an hour I’vehad a gentle rubdownand a cup of tea. I feelmuch revived but I’m stillwondering if I’ve enough``````energy for the eveningceilidh and prize-giving.However, an afternoonnap works wonders andI’m pleased to report thatStripping the Willow(the dance, that is, notsome kind of tree-hatingactivity) is a great wayto ease post-marathonstiffness. The ceilidh isa lovely touch, a way forrunners in all three racesto come together.As I head to the airportthe following day, after astiff-legged walk aroundKirkwall and a properlook at that stunningcathedral, I get just atantalising glimpse of theRing of Brodgar, a stonecircle to rival Stonehengeand one of many Neolithicmonuments on the island.It leaves me with theslightly giddy feelingthat I have unfinishedbusiness in Orkney.I’ll definitely be back.The 2018 St Magnus Marathontakes place on July 1.birsayhall.comFor information on reachingand staying in Orkney, go tovisitorkney.com ``````behind was built in 1137in honour of MagnusErlendsson, who ruledOrkney with his cousin,Hakon, from 1105 until 1117,when Hakon contrived tohave Magnus put to death.And it’s thanks to Magnusthat I’m here. The raceis commemorating the900th anniversary of hisdeath, tracing (in reverse)the journey from Birsay,where he was first buried(and where miracleswere observed, leadingto his canonisation), tothe cathedral in Kirkwall,to where his remainswere later moved.A trial run of the racetook place in 2016. ‘Somesaid they found it verychallenging,’ Ian told me.‘Others thought it wasbeautiful.’ It’s both.With just under 500mof climb, it is not an easycourse, made doublychallenging in thisinstance by the fact thatthe wind was blowing thewrong way (it being apoint-to-point route).Clues to the power of thewind on the island lie inits landscape. Trees arealmost entirely absent –those that thrive musthuddle at the bottom ofvalleys – but the island isstill verdant, with pillowy,green hills and wide, openplains in shades of green,rust and yellow.After four mostlyupward miles, we reachthe highest point of theroute, gaining views ofthe Bay of Firth beforedescending into thevillage of Finstown.The route continuesto undulate gently, likea rollercoaster forbeginners, alongdrystone-walled lanes,past fields of cattle andShetland ponies.With just 63 runners inthe full marathon (anda further 370 in the 10Kand 5K runs, both startingnear the marathon finishat Birsay), I find myselfrunning alone much of thetime. Occasionally I spota flash of neon Lycra upahead and manage to reelin a flagging runner. Othertimes, it’s me who hears``````Finishing stats● Under 3:45 16%● 3:45-4:15 32%● 4:15-5:00 32%● 5:00+ 20%``````THE RUNDOWNSt MagnusMarathon(2017 results)First man: JeffPyrah, 2:56:05First woman: ShonaYoung, 3:3 7:4 6No. of finishers: 63(100 per cent)Last finisher:5:52:35ST MAGNUS MARATHON RACENORTHERNEXPOSUREThe St MagnusMarathon isa real tester,but the sightsare magnificentand the medal issuitably hefty``````JULY 2018 RUNNERSWORLD.CO.UK 089``````PHOTOGRAPHS: KEN AMER