THE ISLES ULTRA EEI

ESSENTIAL EVENT INFORMATION 2025

Due to the scale and nature of Rat Race Events, changes to the event course, structure and timings sometimes need to be made right up until the date of the event.  To ensure you have the latest information and are fully prepared for the challenge that lies ahead, please check back on the EEI before travelling to the event.

The EEI was last updated on: 30/06/2025

WELCOME TO THE OUTER HEBRIDES.

WELCOME TO THE ISLES ULTRA 2025!

We hope you’re looking forward to an epic adventure in September across the stunning Hebridean Isles. This document is designed to give you a bit of info about what you can expect during your challenge and details of anything that you need to do beforehand. This should answer any questions you might have about the event, but please do reach out to the Rat Race team via events@ratrace.com if you need to know anything else.

We’ll see you on the start line very soon!

James
Expedition Manager

SKIP TO SECTION

FILES & DOWNLOADS

EVENT PARTICIPATION FORM

MEDICAL FORM

KEY REMINDERS

Make sure you’ve read this thoroughly well ahead of your departure date to ensure there are no last minute panics or surprises, if you have any questions after reading this please reach out to us on events@ratrace.com

CONTACT

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Event Participation Form MUST be submitted NO later 25th July 2025.
Medical declaration MUST be submitted NO later than 15th July 2025.
The Q & A webinar will take place on at 1800 UK time on 5th August 2025. For the more details and link to join, please check your email.
Trackers: Please remember that GPS tracker is not always a-given; you should particularly note this if sharing live links with supporters.
Kit: You will need to bring ALL kit that is on the kit list for you to take part in the trip. If your kit is not right the Event team will reserve the right to prevent you starting the event. Don’t worry – there are several more touchpoints before departure to ensure this does not occur. Firstly, the comprehensive kit list is provided with this document. If in any doubt on kit, please get in touch with us at events@ratrace.com and we can help.
Live events decision making: in all cases whilst on the trip, the Event Directors decision is final. They are always acting in the combined interest of the safety of the individual and the group, as their paramount concern.

KEY INFO

Registration Info

ARRIVAL

Date: 25th September 2025

Location: Muthu Ben Doran, Tyndrum, Perthshire, Scotland, FK20 8RZ

To the Pre-event registration – Muthu Ben Doran Hotel, Tyndrum, Perthshire, Scotland, FK20 8RZ (Please arrive no later than 1030 to load kit into vans/trailers before an 1100 departure).

By public transport, Tyndrum has two train stations (Tyndrum Upper and Lower) and is well served by mainline buses from Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Muthu Ben Doran Hotel is within 5 mins walk of both train stations, and the bus will stop directly outside if asked.

By road, Tyndrum is 1.5 hours North of Glasgow and 2 hours North West of Edinburgh.

If you are planning to drive, the Muthu Ben Doran have kindly agreed to allow us parking for the duration of the trip. This is charged at £5 per vehicle per day, so this is £40 for the event duration. This is to be paid directly to hotel reception on the day of arrival.

DEPARTURES

On concluding our adventure in the Outer Hebrides, you have a few options. You may wish to stay on the islands and continue your own adventure, or you may leave us in Ullapool and explore the North Coast. That is completely fine, all we ask is that you let us know.

If you plan to complete the return journey with us, we can drop you back at our original RV point at the Muthu Ben Doran Hotel in Tyndrum, or we can drop you at Inverness Train Station. Drop off to Inverness is encouraged for anyone whose onward travel plans involve public transport, as this is a bigger hub and it's better connected than Tyndrum.

The schedule for our return journey from The Isles is as follows:

0600 board ferry in Stornoway

0700 ferry departs Stornoway

0930 ferry arrives Ullapool

1000 road departure Ullapool to Tyndrum, via Inverness

1130 expected arrival Inverness

1430 expected arrival Tyndrum

Please leave a buffer if booking any services at fixed times in case of delay on sea or land due to weather or traffic.

ACCOMODATION

The accommodation is mixed and on a shared basis. This is the breakdown:

Night 1 – Dunnard Hostel
Nights 2 and 3 – Uist Travel (mix of B&B style rooms)
Nights 4, 5 and 6 – Scaladale Outdoor Centre (Hostel Style, good communal space with dorm rooms and shared facilities)
Night 7 – Caladh Inn, Hotel in Stornoway

Given that we have a Hostel, an Outdoor Centre, and a few hotel spots. You should all bring a travel towel, as towels will not always be provided. It is recommended that you bring a blindfold and a set of ear plugs if you are a light sleeper to give you the best chance of a good night’s rest in shared accommodation. Rooming is sometimes dorm style where you will be sharing with a small same sex group. Sometimes, it’s twin sharing.

FOOD & DRINK

All food on the islands will be included. You should expect to supply your own lunch on Day 1 (arrival day) and may wish to purchase lunch from the ferry on the return on Day 8. The food prepared will be varied, substantial and appropriate for the type of challenge you’re undertaking.

Breakfasts will be a mixture of continental or cooked, occasionally both. Often, we will be making an early start on the trails which may mean that breakfast is more grab and go style to help us stick to our early schedule.

Lunches will be more of a ‘grab and go’ affair from the Pit Stops. More on Pit Stop in the next section.

Evening meals will offer 2 courses minimum, either starter and main or main and dessert. Drinks are on you, and usually best settled directly at the bar.

If you wish to purchase additional food or drinks during the trip, this will be at your own expense.

You will be given the opportunity to make us aware of any dietary requirements when you complete your information forms.

EVENT INSTRUCTIONS

EVENT REGISTRATION AND PRE-EVENT ADMIN

Formal Registration for the event is completed in 3 phases.

1.) Online enrolment, acceptance of terms and conditions, payment: COMPLETE

2.) Submission of online event details form and medical form (by 25th July 2025)

Pre-Event Participation Form - complete HERE
Medical Declaration - complete HERE

3.) Physical registration on 25th September 2025

REGISTRATION

Thursday 25th September 2025, 1030 hours at the Muthu Ben Doran, Tyndrum, Perthshire, Scotland, FK20 8RZ

We will use the Muthu Ben Doran Hotel as our meeting point where we will do a very quick check-in before we depart Tyndrum for Oban, and the onward ferry to the Outer Hebrides. Please arrive at the Muthu Ben Doran Hotel in Tyndrum no later than 1030 so we can have a quick introduction, check everyone in as arrived, and get the bags loaded up into the event vehicles in time for a prompt 1100 departure.

If you arrive early with time to kill or if you need food, Tyndrum is well serviced with cafes and shops. The ‘Real Food Café’ is 30 seconds from the Muthu Ben Doran, and at 2 minutes walk you have the West Highland Ways famous ‘Green Welly Stop’ with a small shop, more cafes, and a very well serviced Outdoor Shop if you find you’ve forgotten any kit!

From our prompt 1100 Tyndrum departure, we should get to Oban for around midday. The ferry is due to sail at 1310 and you will need to board as foot passengers, so will RV again somewhere when we are all aboard. We will aim to take over a space somewhere on the ferry to setup a small registration station, where we will hand out your event stash, issue trackers, check your kit, and ask each of you to have a quick 1-1 chat with our event medic. The ferry journey is a long one, almost 5 hours, so making use of this time to perform these registration activities will help us to get an early night once we arrive on the island. It is also a great opportunity to get to know your event team and your fellow #ratracers!

When loading bags in Tyndrum, we ask that you keep your running pack packed (as if you were about to run) and to hand, as we will ask you to bring this onto the ferry with you to ease the registration process. This is a chance for you to check that you have all of the kit you need, and ask us any questions about the kit. We will also be attaching trackers to your running packs, so we won’t be able to issue you with your tracker if you don’t have your pack with you. Therefore, please keep your running pack to hand and ready to go on Thursday morning to help us with this process.

A full event briefing will take place on the Thursday and this MAY be on the ferry, however if it is too busy or noisy, we will do this at the accommodation instead.

EVENT REGISTRATION PACK

At Registration, there will be one adventure pack issued per person. This will contain:

Personalised Race Bib: Surname and Number

You must wear this over all clothing so that it is always visible or attach it to your day pack.

Baggage labels

For your overnight, transition and running/day bag. These must be attached to your bag before handing them over to our crew to transport.

Tracker

We will issue the tracking device and demonstrate its use

Event T-shirt & Rat Rag

If you do not select your t-shirt size via the pre-event form in advance, you will automatically be allocated a Large.

MANDATORY KIT LIST

The full kit list can be found HERE.

Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for that assistance. Some of it is simply to keep you from perishing. It is a serious list, and we know everyone knows this, but we ask that you please do work with us on this. Please do not skimp on kit. The weather in the Hebrides is extremely changeable. Spare sets of kit will be worn, you will get wet, and you will want to get dry and comfortable again. As such, do not skimp on kit!

Before the event starts you will be required to show us a minimum of the following to obtain your Adventure Pack, and this is the kit that we will want to see in your running pack on the ferry:

Backpack / running pack or vest that will be used to carry mandatory kit with you during the event.
Waterproof jacket and trousers with TAPED or WELDED seams
GPS watch with GPX files downloaded
Mobile phone navigation app with GPX files downloaded AND saved for offline use.
A working headtorch
Survival bag (NOT blanket)
A First Aid Kit including foot care kit and a triangular or conformable roller bandage and a separate sterile absorbent material (e.g. gauze or gauze bandage)
Some form of hi-vis to keep you safe whilst running on the roads.
Hydration pack and / or bottles, sufficient to carry minimum 2L water.

Subject to the weather forecast conditions you may be asked to show any other items from the mandatory kit list. This will be communicated in advance if this is the case. If you do not have the appropriate kit with you when you register, you will not be allowed to race. Much of the kit is not for when you are moving but if you become unable to move and are awaiting assistance. It is your responsibility to work with this system and respect the plan put in place by our safety team.

Top Tips! - You may wish to bring multiple pairs of running shoes as it’s likely they’ll get wet at some point each day! We also highly recommend running poles, but these are not mandatory.

BAGGAGE

We recommend that your kit is packed into 3 separate areas:

1.Overnight bag, up to 70L / 15KG: this is your main bag with most of your kit for the trip, including spare kit, evening kit, wash kit etc. You will leave it at the start of each day for transportation to the overnight accommodation. There is a size and weight limit due to limitations of our transporting vehicles and we may check bags if considered bulky and/or overweight. Please do not pack any fragile items or liquids in weak containers as they may leak in transit. Bags should be waterproof as they may be exposed to the rain and may sit on wet ground.

Top tip – make sure you bring a few dry bags, as your used kit will stink!

2. Pit Stop / Finish Line bag, up to 35L: this is a smaller bag that you will be able to access at least once throughout the day, usually at lunch and then again at the finish line. In here you may pack warm layers for quick access when you finish, personal nutrition if you wish to supplement what we offer at the Pit Stops with your own personal favourites, and anything else that you may want or need during the day & at the finish line!

3.Race day bag: this is the bag you will keep with you on your person at all times throughout each of the race days. It is essential that you can fit all of the mandatory kit in this bag. We recommend that you train with it before the event so that you know it well and you minimise the chance of kit problems on the day! We recommend using a size of at least 10L for this pack to ensure you can fit in all of the mandatory kit.

To recap – 1 x 70L bag which you will only have access to at the overnight accommodation (15kg max), 1 x 35L will be transported to the pit stops during the day for you and your race bag (10L plus).

We have 2 key points to emphasize on packing.

We ask that you bring soft duffel bag style packs only. NO SUITCASES. These are generally bulkier, heavier, and more awkward to pack and transport. This goes for your overnight bag and pit stop bags.
Please avoid the temptation to overpack. 1 weeks’ worth of running kit should not take up too much room, and you really do not need a lot more than that. If your bags are any larger than outlined above, you have too much stuff!

OUT ON THE ROUTE

ROUTE

This (if we do say so ourselves) is an absolute belter of a route! The terrain is extremely varied and changeable which makes it fun, but it can also make it challenging. The route follows the Hebridean Way. The trail is marked, but the markings are often not very obvious and sometimes they are missing altogether. What we are saying is, don’t let the fact that it is a named trail fool you! It will be tough going, there will be bog (and lots of it) but it will very much be worth it.

The provisional route can be found here to gain an overview of the adventure that lies ahead on the website HERE.

Please be aware that due to the nature of events like this, and the unpredictable nature of changes in weather, we may be forced to make route changes during the event. This could be a direct decision made by your Rat Race crew for safety reasons, or this may be because of factors outside of our control. This is particularly true for The Isles Ultra, where changes in the weather may affect the schedules of ferry services – on which the event is inherently reliant.

COURSE CHANGES

The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the uncertain becomes certain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of a number of reasons, we cannot do so and we need to wheel put Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you in good time (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end!

NAVIGATION

This is a self-navigated route, therefore you will need to find your own way by following the GPX files that we share with you. The event route will NOT be waymarked by Rat Race. The route does mostly follow an established trail, the Hebridean Way. However, the route markings along the trail can be quite sparse and difficult to follow.

As this is a running event, the best way to navigate the route and follow the GPX files that we will share with you is with a GPS navigation enabled running watch. Many of you are likely to have your own device already, that’s great news. Please practice with it and become familiar with how it works and how to upload, select and navigate GPX files from your watch before you get to the event. For your own peace of mind and enjoyment, it is best to be comfortable with this before you arrive.

If you don’t already have a suitable device, it is worth considering investing in one, and we are happy to help if you need recommendations there. If you’re not yet ready to purchase a device of your own, Rat Race has several Garmin and Coros units available for hire on a first come first served basis. More on how to arrange device hire at the end of this document.

As well as having the route on a running watch, you MUST have the routes on your mobile as a backup. The GPX files should be uploaded to a navigation app on your mobile and downloaded for offline use, in addition to having them on your watch. It is always good to have a backup, in case of tech failure on your watch or if the route is unclear on your watch, which may happen from time to time. It is easier to zoom in and out and check the route as a whole, should you need to, on the larger screen offered by mobile.

The caveat with the route is always – it may change due to the situation on the ground. If we do make any changes, it will be with your safety and enjoyment in mind and you will of course be advised if this is the case.

TRACKING DEVICE

You will be issued with your satellite tracker. It is your responsibility to look after the device until you return it to us at the finish line in exchange for your medal. This tracker allows your supporters to see where you are throughout the race. Tracking can be monitored during the event by those not embarked and will go live on the morning of 20th September.

The tracker will be given to you turned on and ready to be used. There is nothing you need to do with it. Just put it into your race bag. Please do not tamper with the plastic bag it is in. We recommend you place it in a dry bag with other valuables but please do not bury the tracker too deep under other gear as you will need to return it when you have finished or need to drop out.

You must return this device at the end of the event or whenever a member of staff asks for you to do so (for example to check a setting or to charge it). Do also hand to a member of staff should you drop out on any day. Any missing trackers will be met with a £150 charge to cover the cost of the item.

VERY IMPORTANT

As we have stated, the reliability and operation of the tracking devices in this environment is likely to not be 100%, 100% of the time. As far as our safety system is concerned, we know that and we have considered that as part of our other overarching plans and risk assessment.

For those watching the tracking at home, it is important you explain that the trackers are not always going to give a fully accurate reflection of exact locations. What can happen, (if this is not communicated on the part of the participant to their supporters), is that where people see a tracker displaying erratic behaviour or not moving, this manifests in undue worry. Over a number of days, this worry can turn to panic and raising of unnecessary alarms, from the comfort of sofas in the internet-equipped watching world-at-large. We require you to ensure that, should you decide to share the tracking link, you are unequivocal in this explanation to your supporters. We cannot afford for an international incident to be commenced as someone sitting at home in front of their desktop has decided to contact the Emergency Services as they cannot see your dot moving. It really is a deadly serious point we are making here and we thank you in advance for making this clear to your supporters at home.

CUT OFF TIMES

Rat Race events are not about cut off times or prizes, we are here for every adventurer and we want to see you all complete as much of the event as possible. However, cut off times make up an important part of our Event Management Plan and Risk Assessments. On The Isles Ultra, they also effect foundational aspects of the trip; like catching certain ferries (!), keeping to meal times and ensuring you, your fellow runners, and the crew, are all able to get a good night’s sleep, so that you (and we!) are ready to go and do it all again the next day.

Cut off times are independent of any other factors that occur earlier in the course such as start time, going the wrong way, head winds, traffic conditions, whether it is your fault or not. We understand that missing cut offs can be tough to take but please remember this is not the crew members fault that breaks the news to you. The cut off time is also independent of the time participants arrive into pit stops. You must have LEFT before the cut-off time.

Rat Race reserves the right to adjust cut off times whenever this may be required, including bringing cut-off times forward if this is necessary. This could be for safety reasons, logistical factors or in exceptional circumstances, such as poor weather, or other factors outside of our control. You will be informed of this change at the earliest possible opportunity, if this is something we do need to do during the event.

In general, if you are able to sustain a pace of 5kmph (3.1mph) throughout the day, you will have enough time to get through every step of this bog-filled fantastical. Please note, this includes the time you take at Pit Stops, IE, if it were a 50km day with 3 Pit Stops and you spent 10 mins at each stop, then you would have 9.5 hours left to complete the running on a basis of 5kmph.

We will always take a practical approach on the cut off times. If it’s ‘only’ a 40km day, then clearly we will have more hours in the day and we can afford more flexibility on these cut off times. If it’s a 60km day, then it’s likely to be an early start and a late finish for everyone, so sticking to the cut off guidelines that we have outlined will be more important. We won’t share cut off times for every point of every day here – but keep in mind as a rule of thumb that if you are managing at least 5kmph out on the route, then unless told otherwise, you will have plenty of time to complete the day.

IMPORTANT – We will draw your attention here to a couple of points where these cut off times are absolutely crucial for everyone, and no lenience will be given. Ferry crossings!

There are 2 ferry crossings during the live event, IE where you will be running to the ferry and you must not miss it! These are:

Day 1 – Ardmhor – Eriskay. 0630 Start, 24.6km run to Ardmhor, 1030 cut off.
Day 3 – Berneray to Leverburgh. 0930 Start, 26.5km run to Bernaray. 1515 cut off.

Wait times between ferry services are usually long, therefore it is imperative for the flow and timings of the event that we ALL make the ferry times as planned. If we think you aren’t going to make it in time, we will need to stop you and ask you to take a boost in one of our event vehicles. Please cooperate if this is the case!

If you have any doubts about whether or not you can cover the required 24.6k in 4 hours between 0630 and 1030, we are happy to support you with a boost along the route in one of the event vehicles.

We do note that this means you are starting off the event having to go a little speedier than the 5kmph we have outlined! This is because sunrise is not until 0723 and there is some tricky terrain within the first few km of the route, so we don’t want to set you off so early that you are in the pitch black all morning. After this, the normal 5kmph will resume.

There is a lot less time pressure on the day 3 ferry as it is much later in the day.

Finally, if you do find yourself in the position where you choose to (or are asked to) jump in a vehicle and take a ‘boost’, we encourage you to get right back at it and do as much of the rest of the course as you can. The vehicles are always there if you should need them, and using them doesn’t affect your ability to complete other sections of the course.

PIT STOPS

Pit Stops will be held approximately every 10 miles, so you will usually have 3 per day.

Pit Stops will be well stocked with water, a few other drinks (including some hot options), and sweet, salty and savoury snacks.

We will always aim to provide something more substantial like a sandwich or wrap at the lunch stop.

There is no need for you to supplement it with additional food, though if you wish to bring specific sports gels, bars, powders etc of your preferred sports nutrition brands, please do. You can keep some of this on you person and keep spares in your Pit Stop bag.

ITINERARY

The plans and times given below may be changed for any number of reasons, but they give you a good idea of what is in store. This is Plan A, but as you know, Plan A does not always work out!

DAY 1 / RV IN TYNDRUM, SAIL TO BARRA & REG

Thursday 25th September

As outlined in the ‘Arrivals’ section above, after meeting in Tyndrum at 1030, we will depart and head to Oban for the ferry. It’s a 5 hour crossing with some registration activities on board, then we’ll arrive in Barra around 1800 with a little time for some final prep and briefings before bedding down for an early night.

Route: N/A, Travel only

Meals: You provide Breakfast & Lunch. We provide an evening meal.

Accommodation: Dunnard Hostel, dorm style rooms with shared facilities.

DAY 2 / THE ISLES ULTRA BEGINS!

Friday 26th September

Today is the day with the infamous ferry cut off. We have made the start time earlier this year to give you all a little more time to reach this critical point (see more on this in ‘cut offs’ section, above). You will run across all of Barra and onto Uist. There are plenty of beautiful views, including a sunrise summit (unless you are too speedy and you beat sunrise)!

Route: 59km / 37 miles, 650m ascent & descent