Barrathon
Encyclopedia
The Barrathon is an annual half marathon which takes place on the Isle of Barra
, which is the southern most inhabited isle of the Outer Hebrides
, UK. The Barrathon was initially a single event to mark the millennium, and a chance to raise some money for charity at the same time. The Charity was MacMillan Cancer Support.
The route starts in Castlebay
at about 60 ft falling quickly to sea level before rising to 100 ft around the 1 mile mark. The next 0.5 miles is mainly downhill and then the course undulates between sea level and 50 ft until the 4 mile mark.
From mile 4, the course climbs gradually as the route starts to head east, peaking at around 170 ft just past the 5.5 mile stage. The next 1.5 miles see the route drop back to sea level as the 7 mile mark is approached.
From miles 7 to 9, the route starts to work its way round the east coast of the island over a number of short, small climbs ranging from 50 ft to 90 ft. This is quickly followed by a downhill 0.5 mile and a gently undulating course to the 10.5 mile mark. From here the route climbs steeply to 340 ft at the 11.5 mile stage.
The route offers some respite with a mile long descent followed by a short but sharp climb of approximately 40 ft before a fairly steady run to the finish point in Castlebay.
The course was officially measured in 2008 by dion_networks on behalf of Scottishathletics
and meets the minimum distance for a half marathon. The official record is over the measured course.
Barra
The island of Barra is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island, and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay, to which it is connected by a causeway, is the southernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.-Geography:The 2001 census showed that the resident population was 1,078...
, which is the southern most inhabited isle of the Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
, UK. The Barrathon was initially a single event to mark the millennium, and a chance to raise some money for charity at the same time. The Charity was MacMillan Cancer Support.
| Year | Finished | Fastest Time | Fastest Runner | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 37 | 1:21:06 | Simon Axon | |
| 2001 | 46 | 1:25:51 | Simon Axon | |
| 2002 | 64 | 1:18:08 | Terence Coyle | |
| 2003 | 89 | 1:15:37 | Stuart Gibson | |
| 2004 | 87 | 1:16:23 | Graham Beal | |
| 2005 | 98 | 1:22:16 | Brendan Bolland | |
| 2006 | 114 | 1:13:13 | Paul Freary | Previous course record |
| 2007 | 129 | 1:14:25 | Jamie Reid | |
| 2008 | 156 | 1:21:44 | Benjamin Kemp | |
| 2009 | 167 | 1:19:33 | Graham Beal | |
| 2010 | 162 | 1:16:27 | Phil Mowbray | |
| 2011 | 227 | 1:15:00 | Jamie Reid | Official course record |
Route
The Barrathon route is a clockwise circuit of the island, following an undulating course, the lowest point being near sea level and the highest point being just under 350 ft.The route starts in Castlebay
Castlebay
Castlebay is the main village and a community council area on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is located on the south coast of the island, and overlooks a bay in the Atlantic Ocean dominated by Kisimul Castle, as well as nearby islands such as Vatersay.- Church :The...
at about 60 ft falling quickly to sea level before rising to 100 ft around the 1 mile mark. The next 0.5 miles is mainly downhill and then the course undulates between sea level and 50 ft until the 4 mile mark.
From mile 4, the course climbs gradually as the route starts to head east, peaking at around 170 ft just past the 5.5 mile stage. The next 1.5 miles see the route drop back to sea level as the 7 mile mark is approached.
From miles 7 to 9, the route starts to work its way round the east coast of the island over a number of short, small climbs ranging from 50 ft to 90 ft. This is quickly followed by a downhill 0.5 mile and a gently undulating course to the 10.5 mile mark. From here the route climbs steeply to 340 ft at the 11.5 mile stage.
The route offers some respite with a mile long descent followed by a short but sharp climb of approximately 40 ft before a fairly steady run to the finish point in Castlebay.
The course was officially measured in 2008 by dion_networks on behalf of Scottishathletics
Scottishathletics
Scottishathletics is the national governing body for the sport of athletics in Scotland. Established as a limited company on 1 April 2001, it succeeded the Scottish Athletics Federation . scottishathletics is a member of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.The organisation is built up of 22...
and meets the minimum distance for a half marathon. The official record is over the measured course.