Scilly 60 (60k / 37 miles)

I heard about the Scilly 60 via a friend at the running club. His friend “Bones” had just completed a run around each of the five inhabited Scilly Islands in one day. The runners had to run the coastline of each island in time to catch the boat before it left for the next island.  I thought, what an adventure! I signed up with my friend and waited nervously to see if we got a place. The event is limited to the number of people (150) the boats can carry. Thankfully, we sneaked in.

My training could have been better. I had never run an ultra-marathon distance before. I was probably a little complacent after reading the cut-off limits required to catch the boat (an average of 12 minutes per mile). We met Bones in the pub a couple of weeks before for a pre-brief of what to expect. He had just posted a 5k PB on Strava that day (around 18:30, which is faster than I'll ever manage). For the next hour, he proceeded to tell us how hard the event was. The terrain was difficult, and the course was mainly narrow paths with short, steep inclines and some sandy sections. St. Martin's (Stage 3) caught lots of people out, we were told. Less than half the participants made it to the finish. My heart sank. It was too late for any more serious training I thought. We departed for the Scilly Islands a couple of weeks later, hoping for the best but fearing the dreaded DNF.

The history of the Scilly Islands is fantastic. On the run, you'll probably be too busy trying to get around in time to fully appreciate all the historical sites, so it is worth having a look at Historic England’s map before you go. You will notice how much of the history is located on the route of the race.

In the Bronze Age (2500BC to 800BC), the sea levels were lower, and the Scilly Islands formed one big island (with the exception of St Agnes and the Western Rocks). The Islands have a remarkable concentration of Bronze Age monuments, especially burial chambers, which are made with large stones and earth. The best examples these are found on St Mary’s (Stage 4). The sheer number of these sites have led people to speculate that the Scilly Islands were an ’Island of the Dead’, with people travelling across the sea for funeral rights. Look out for the graves at Innisidgen on St Mary’s and the Old Man of Gugh Standing Stone on St Agnes (Stage 5).

The other notable historical sites on the Islands relate to the later defensive structures. The British were concerned that the Scilly Islands could be used by enemies to attack shipping. As such, they built many differing fortifications over the centuries. This includes King Charles's Castle (mid 16th Century) on Tresco (Stage 1), that offers views of the later Cromwell Castle (mid 17th Century).  The Star Castle (1593-4) on St Mary’s (Stage 4) was built in the reign of Elizabeth I to defend against Spanish invasion following the Spanish Armada.  The later Garrison Walls (that you will run around) were built in the English Civil War and improved in the 18th Century. The Scilly Islands were a Royalist stronghold during the Civil War finally succumbing to Parliamentarian forces in 1651.  Quite apart from the great history, the Scilly Islands are also very beautiful. The scenery of blue water and white frothy waves crashing into granite rock, or the pristine white sandy beaches (St Martin's especially) is a welcome distraction from the race.

So how did it go? Amazing in a word. One of the best running events I have ever experienced. The culture and atmosphere created by the organiser Wes makes for a fantastic day out. Hats off to Wes because it must be one of the most logistically demanding events to put on having to coordinate people, boats, and tide times across the entire day.

I managed to get round all the Islands, although it wouldn't have mattered if I didn't. Those who don't make the runners boat can join the spectators on their boat and follow the race through later stages, perhaps enjoying a well earned beer in the local pub along the way. The camaraderie of the fellow participants keeps you going. The last leg back on Tresco takes you through the beautiful Tresco Abbey Gardens in the old grounds of a Benedictine Abbey founded in 12th Century. With the sun setting quickly, the day was rounded off with a well-earned beer and a BBQ.

If you want to try running further than a marathon whilst also seeing all the beauty and history the Scilly Islands have to offer, I could not recommend this unique event more highly. Good luck getting a place!

 Image of Old Man of Gugh © Sharpshot / Adobe Stock. All other images were taken by the author.