About Ben Nevis Race
A daunting hill race to the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. Standing at 1, 346 metres (4, 416 ft) above sea level
Ben Nevis Race Description
In 1895 when William Swan, a Fort William barber, set off on the first recorded timed ascent and descent of Britain’s tallest mountain he could not have envisaged the modern day Ben Nevis Race which now has a field of 600 runners accepting a challenge which is not for the unfit or faint-hearted.
In the late 19th. and early 20th. centuries a number of races were organised on an ad hoc basis. However it was not until 1951 that the Ben Nevis Race Association was founded with the intention of formalising arrangements for an annual race. Since that first field of 21 runners, the race has grown beyond all recognition and it has been run every year since with the exception of 1980. That year the elements won and, with competitors on the start line, a last minute decision was made to cancel the race for the safety of the runners and officials on the mountain.
Safety of all is paramount for the organisers and the Ben Race should not be treated as a ‘fun-run’ and therefore entrants have to be experienced hill runners. The BNRA liaises closely with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and we are grateful for their and our own volunteer marshals’ vital assistance on race day.
The record times for both men and women have stood since 1984 when Kenny Stuart and Pauline Stuart (nee Haworth) respectively recorded 1h 25m 34s and 1h 43m 25s. In 1989 Kenny ran the Houston Marathon in a then world class time of 2h 11m 36s thus creating a benchmark by which mountain running times and the Ben Race record, in particular, can be judged. It is fair to say that hill /fell running champions are worthy of the respect afforded to top Olympic athletes.
The Ben Race has been variously described with superlatives – oldest race, toughest race, most iconic race, the supreme test of fitness etc. – and whilst these claims are open to challenge, the Ben Nevis Race Association will always defend its status as a very special event. However this is not necessary as runners testify to this on our behalf.
The Ben exercises a hold over runners and during the winter month they forget the pain and the strain of the first Saturday in September. Thoughts turn to getting another ’Ben’ under their belts, especially for those nearing 21 completed runs and a coveted Connochie Plaque. Today the race, which is limited to 600 runners for safety reasons, can be oversubscribed within two days of the entry forms going live in late January. If you qualify (see conditions for entry) and wish to take part, then check our site for the entry opening date.
Reviews
Ben Nevis Race 2018, notice to all participants.
On the 06th of September 2018 the Ben Nevis Race Association {BNRA} received correspondence from the Nevis Partnership {NP} titled as follows:
"Fence enclosures on Lower Ben path cut"
... Sadly the detail of this correspondence was in relation to the abuse of land owned by Jahama Highland Estates and managed by N.P, coupled with the malicious damage to their property and fence line.
As you are all aware, the BNRA works closely, in conjunction with the NP to ensure the race proceeds each year while equally being respectful of the fragile ecosystem and surrounding environment. As a committee we feel obliged to offer payment as a gesture of goodwill for the rectification of this damage which may have been caused by a runner or their accomplice(s) and therefore we may be forced to review the entry fee cost for next year to cover this outlay. While we accept this may be the work of only one individual it does not excuse the large number of entrants that used this breached route while knowing otherwise.
We take the above as an extremely serious breach of our rules along with the wilful intent and damage to the property of others. The BNRA will not tolerate such behaviour that may place the future of our race in jeopardy.
Regards
BNRA Committee
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Lost purse! If anyone knows a Miss Marie Nunes, We have a purse that belongs to her. So if she could get in touch. If she doesn't contact us by tomorrow morning We will hand it in to the Police Station.
Could you email secretary@bennevisrace.co.uk
Ben Nevis Race 2018 Finishers & Results.🤗 Well done to all the runners.
Good luck to all the runners!
BBC Archive
Could Mark Nixon please contact us as we done have your trophy yet. :)
Final Entry List 2018 The Final Entry List 2018 is now available here.
Can everyone please check their entries especially categories and let us know if there are any errors.
... Runner’s Cards have been posted out.
If anyone still has a trophy from last year could they please contact us as we need them back.
http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/pdf/Final_E ntry_List_2018.pdf
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The last withdrawal date is Friday 10th August. If you withdraw after this date then you will remain on the final entry list, we would like to take this opportunity to remind entrants that if they no longer wish to run they must not collect their registration pack. If you wish to collect your t-shirt then please tell the registration team that you are not running but would like your t-shirt. If you collect your registration pack and then decide not to run then please return this to the secretary's tent immediately.
Do you have any photos of yourselves wearing the Ben Nevis Race T-shirts during or after the race? Would you be happy for Sports Instinct (the company who supplies them) to use on their website?
If so can you, please email them to secretary@bennevisrace.co.uk
There are hundreds of runners on the Waiting List who would really appreciate the opportunity to take part in the Ben Nevis Race, especially as it is the final race of the British Championships.
If you wish to cancel your entry and give someone else the chance to take part, your deadline is:
Sunday 8th July... To request that we cancel your entry, please EDIT YOUR ENTRY and tick the appropriate box to indicate that you wish to cancel, then SAVE your entry.
We will cancel your entry and refund your entry fee less an admin fee of £3, which is to cover the cost of managing your entry.
All the best
Ben Nevis Race Team
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Privacy Policy for those that are interested.
The provisional list for the 2018 Ben Nevis Race is now full, anyone who has not been selected at this time is on the waiting list. We realise that there will be a lot of disappointed people this year however we can only accommodate 600 people. Should anyone no longer wish to participate in the event, please contact us at secretary@bennevisrace.co.uk.
https://www.sientries.co.uk/list.php?even t_id=4341
2018 Ben Nevis Race invitations We have started sending out the invitations to enter the 2018 Ben Nevis Race, we hope to have all invites sent out by Wednesday 21st February.
Please note that you only have 7 days to accept the invitation.
... http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/?p=354
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Due to the popularity of this year's event we have now had to close the entries.
Entries Open Today at 12:00
https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?eve nt_id=4341
... Good luck Everyone!
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Entries Open Sunday 4th February 2018 at 12:00
https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?eve nt_id=4341
... Good luck Everyone!
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Ben Nevis Race 2017 Finishers and Results http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/
The Final Entry List 2017 is now available. Runner’s Cards will be posted out this week and if anyone still has a trophy from last year could they please contact us as we need them back. http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/
Last withdrawal date - 11th August 2017
Can people on the waiting list please remember to check their emails for an invitation to enter the race, this will come from SIEntries and if you wish to enter then please accept in the time frame given. If you no longer wish to enter could you please get in touch with us at secretary@bennevisrace.co.uk and we can remove you from the waiting list and pass the place onto someone who wants to race.
fantastic .did it from the centre of fort William from 1968 until 1972 including on my honeymoon in 1971l pleasant memories of the whisky smell when we changed and has showers in the local distillery. managed to get to the top twice in under 24 hrs in 1971,once in the race , then we summited via tower ridge roped up to my climbing friends john and ian. I had to stand on ian s shoulders to get up the last bit onto the summit plateau. happy memories!
Amazing competitors, and amazing marshals all the way to the top (and back down). Great event, well organised, including the awards after.
fantastic .did it from the centre of fort William from 1968 until 1972 including on my honeymoon in 1971l pleasant memories of the whisky smell when we changed and has showers in the local distillery. managed to get to the top twice in under 24 hrs in 1971,once in the race , then we summited via tower ridge roped up to my climbing friends john and ian. I had to stand on ian s shoulders to get up the last bit onto the summit plateau. happy memories!
Amazing competitors, and amazing marshals all the way to the top (and back down). Great event, well organised, including the awards after.
fantastic .did it from the centre of fort William from 1968 until 1972 including on my honeymoon in 1971l pleasant memories of the whisky smell when we changed and has showers in the local distillery. managed to get to the top twice in under 24 hrs in 1971,once in the race , then we summited via tower ridge roped up to my climbing friends john and ian. I had to stand on ian s shoulders to get up the last bit onto the summit plateau. happy memories!
Amazing competitors, and amazing marshals all the way to the top (and back down). Great event, well organised, including the awards after.
fantastic .did it from the centre of fort William from 1968 until 1972 including on my honeymoon in 1971l pleasant memories of the whisky smell when we changed and has showers in the local distillery. managed to get to the top twice in under 24 hrs in 1971,once in the race , then we summited via tower ridge roped up to my climbing friends john and ian. I had to stand on ian s shoulders to get up the last bit onto the summit plateau. happy memories!
Amazing competitors, and amazing marshals all the way to the top (and back down). Great event, well organised, including the awards after.