A PRACTICE nurse at Skipton's Fisher Medical Centre has become the oldest female to finish Cape Wrath Ultra - a 249  mile (400km)  eight-day race across the Scottish Highlands.

Grandmother, Sue Marshall, 63, finished in 80 hours, 46 minutes and 29 seconds, making her the oldest woman finisher and just a year younger than the oldest male finisher. Along the way, she tackled mountains and wilderness, ticks and midges, and although she says it was 'incredibly hard', she is very pleased to have been one of the less than half who finished it.

Sue was the twelfth female across the line and a very impressive 44th place overall - of the 172 men and women who started the race, 57 finished. Danny Smith came in first, in a time of 50 hours, 28 minutes and 18 seconds, and Bridget Glaister was fastest female across the line in 59 hours, 49 minutes and 41 seconds.

Sue, who lives in Embsay, and is married to Steve, has three daughters, Jenny, Rosie and Ruth, and three grandchildren, Daisy and Lily, who go to Embsay School, and month-old Emila.

What makes Sue's achievement more remarkable is that she only took up running aged 48 years old. She joined Skipton Athletic Club, working her way up from 5km to marathons, her first ultra marathon in 2016 - the 50 miles Lakes in a Day event.

"I'd seen a trailer for the Cape Wrath Ultra in 2021 and a friend and I signed up for the 2022 event, said Sue. "Unfortunately, the weather was dreadful and I lasted four days before pulling out due to injury. My friend retired on day three."

But, says Sue, she had unfinished business with the race, so entered again for this year's event - and was determined to see it through, even though pre-race training was hampered with a fractured wrist.

She said: "During a training run in February, I fell and fractured my wrist. This meant I couldn't train properly for a few weeks and I was really worried, but postponing the race until 2025 was not an option. Instead, I threw myself into doing more strength and conditioning with Selina Steventon Complete Fitness. This was hugely beneficial."

Cape Wrath Ultra, which this year took place between May 19 and May 26, is described by the organisers as an 'incredible Highland running adventure'. It is run in eight stages and starts from Fort William, moving through Ardgour into the wilds of Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Fisherfield, Assynt, Sutherland and finishes at the Cape Wrath lighthouse.

Along the way, runners stop at overnight camps which pop up 'as if by magic' in some of the most beautiful locations on the route. The runners sleep in tents and are given the chance to refuel and rest and even socialise a bit after a long day out in the Scottish hills.

Sue said: "There can be total wilderness and isolation, peat hags, bogs, mountains, inaccessible sea Lochs, midge infestation and ticks. It is such a stunning route and I'm so happy to have completed it. Even though it was incredibly hard and my feet were very sore."

Sue said her family and work colleagues had all been very supportive. "My family are really proud of my achievement, though they think I'm a bit crazy; my colleagues at Fisher Medical have also been so supportive. They also sent me messages via "Wrath Mail", which was a welcoming boost, and brought in cream cake when I returned to work.

"I'd like to thank my long suffering husband, Steve, who supported me throughout this challenge."

Shane Ohly, Cape Wrath Ultra event director, said of this year's event, which also includes a shorter, Explorer Course: "The runners who completed the full Ultra course have achieved an extraordinary feat of endurance, earning our respect for their determination and perseverance.

"This year, I was particularly moved by the atmosphere at the overnight camps and witnessing the growing sense of community and camaraderie each day. This was a tangible experience for the participants and for me to witness. It feels very special to see these friendships develop and bonds grow one day to the next."

Of the 172 starters, 122 were male and 50 were female; 20 nationalities were represented; the oldest Ultra finisher was 64 years old, and the youngest was 25.

The 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra will take place from May 18-25 next year and entries will open on 31 May at www.capewrathultra.com.