Dunoon Ultra Marathon 23rd August 2025
Saturday 23rd August 2025 saw a sizeable Harriers contingent get themselves up bright and early and make the short journey across the Clyde to Dunoon. With a favourable forecast for the day ahead and a bright, cool early morning meeting the early risers a good day out on the hills seemed inevitable.
The Hill Awaits…
There was a buzz of anticipation awaiting the runners and supporters as they gathered at Benmore Gardens to register, and make full use of the facilities to ensure it was all systems go for the 9am start. There were 3 relay teams waiting to start along with 3 runners taking on the full distance on their own with guest Harrier for the day Emma O’Rourke, home visiting from overseas, running alongside her dad, Alan O’Rourke. Viki Smith, who seems to be doing an ultra every other week and Lee McLaughlin made up the individual racers.
All three (four) had good days out with plenty of miles and smiles as they made their way around a wee bit of Puck’s Glen before heading up into the hills high above Dunoon out towards Toward and then making their way back up into the hills via the aptly titled “Hill of death” which sees about 10km of climbing with the odd respite. Although not an official checkpoint runners were delighted that the marshalls had set up an impromptu station at the top with ice poles being the most welcome sight.
As well as our runners we also had Fiona Cushnaghan and Yvonne Prager marshalling in and around the finishing line, supporting the race in a different way. As is the way at Dunoon Ultra the marshalls are challenged to join in the fun on the day in full fancy dress. This year the theme was circus and they certainly brought their own individual colourful personalities to the day. As well as that there were a number of supporters and driver and family and friends there on the day making for a great wee day out in the sunshine.
Alan and Emma had spent much of the day together on the trails, also sharing much of the day with the intrepid Viki Smith. Alan and Emma finished strongly, hand in hand, in 5 hours 40 minutes with Viki just 5 minutes behind, continuing to make ultra marathoning look easy. What a great day out for the father and daughter duo. One wonders if Alan will return the challenge the next time he heads overseas to visit Emma in New Zealand.
Final Harrier home was Lee McLaughlin, who once again is completing a number of Ultras and a marathon this year, while also raising funds for local charity Ardgowan Hospice, as he did last year and we are yet to see a picture of Lee on the trails without the trademark grim beaming from his face.
In the relay there were many Harriers dipping a tentative toe into the Ultra world by way of running the smaller chunks on the trails as part of a team. Our three teams were led off in the first leg by Alan Robertson, Lynsey Mooney and Jill Aikman. All had good starts but Lynsey, feeling the effects of an ongoing achilles niggle, showed her trails experience and determination to grind out the longest section. Paul Meahan, Lisa Boonsanong and Alison Robertson were second out for their respective teams and again had great runs with lots of smiles and joy evident on the day. Maybe this was because they all knew that they had been able to avoid the ‘Hill of Death’ and the next runner out had all that to look forward to. The final and toughest leg or the short straw in the relay fell to Stephen Campbell, Jennifer Rooney and Jill Turner. Fortunately by the time they met their teammates to cross the line together they had clearly had time to forget about the hill as they made their way in the sunshine along the prom towards the finish on Dunoon’s Victorian Pier. The gents finished in 4hours 44mins with ladies finishing in 5hours 33 mins and 5 hours 15 mins respectively. The gents were delighted to realise that they were third relay team to finish on the day.
Overall a great day out with some superb running and importantly some more superb running memories made for all of our athletes, including the obligatory social rehydration. Next year sees the 10th year of the Dunoon Ultra and if this year is anything to go by the organisers, who do an amazing job, will have a few cards up there sleeve to make it the biggest and best yet.
