After a year away, Salomon Skyline Scotland came roaring back this weekend and what a return it was. Seven races in just 24 hours brought the Highlands alive, from the midnight start of the Jacobite 100 to the fierce drama of the Ben Nevis Skyline.
And Scotland didn’t just host the action, it delivered the weather too. On the summit of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, runners were hit with punishing winds and a biting –6°C windchill. The organisers activated mandatory cold-weather kit for the Skyline and the Steall Marathon, ensuring every runner who crossed the line truly earned their finisher’s medal.
“It was absolutely brutal,” said Elle Twentyman, who won the women’s Skyline in 3:22:38. “The runnable trails gave way to steep boulder fields and slippery descents, but the last stretch through the bike park was just so much fun!”
Golden Trail Dreams
The Ben Nevis Skyline was the weekend’s headline act, not just for its technical challenge but because it carried Golden Trail World Series tickets for the top three men and women.
Twentyman led the women’s race home, followed by Scotland’s Mia Padmanabhan and Chloe Lumsdon. In the men’s race, it was a Scottish sweep: Sasha Chepelin claimed the win, with Finn Lyndon and Ewan Dodd close behind.
All six will now travel to Italy’s Ledro Valley next month to race against the very best in the world at the Golden Trail World Series finale.
A Scottish Celebration
The podiums captured the spirit of the weekend perfectly: world-class competition with local heroes shining bright. “The cheering supporters, the wild-eyed runners crossing the finish, and the buzzing event centre were all testaments to a world-class trail running event returning to the Highlands,” said race director Shane Ohly.
For the Scottish running community, it was a proud moment, proof that the Highlands still belong at the heart of international trail running.
Across the Festival
Skyline Scotland isn’t just about the elites. From 10k newcomers to 100k ultrarunners, the weekend offered challenges for every level. Prize money was awarded across the four main races, but every finisher left with their own story of grit, mud, and mountain weather.
All four major races carried prize money: £300 for 1st place, £150 for 2nd, and £100 for 3rd, rewarding top athletes across both men’s and women’s fields.
Ben Nevis Skyline
Women: 1. Elle Twentyman (ENG) 3:22:38; 2. Mia Padmanabhan (SCO) 3:44:06; 3. Chloe Lumsdon (GBR) 3:58:29
Men: 1. Sasha Chepelin (GBR) 2:50:57; 2. Finn Lyndon (GBR) 2:55:10; 3. Ewan Dodd (SCO) 3:01:33
Aonach Mòr Anarchy
Women: 1. Katie Lowery (GBR) 1:02:38; 2. Georgia Ledingham (SCO) 1:03:18; 3. Abigail Woolaston (GBR) 1:10:21
Men: 1. David Bunn (ENG) 0:51:35; 2. Alistair Thorrnton (GBR) 0:54:26; 3. Ross Spalding (SCO) 0:54:37
Steall Marathon
Women: 1. Laura Dozier (SUI) 5:10:12; 2. Robyn Cassidy (GBR) 5:22:17; 3. Ester Everitt (GBR) 5:33:30
Men: 1. Brennan Townshend (ENG) 4:31:25; 2. Tom Owens (GBR) 4:44:13; 3. Jono Atkinson (GBR) 4:57:14
Jacobite 100
Women: 1. Beth Langley (WAL) 12:47:06; 2. Noemi Low (SUI) 13:35:49; 3. Alexandra Boloux (FRA) 13:38:20
Men: 1. Pawel Cymbalista (POL) 11:37:28; 2. Ewen Larnicol (FRA) 11:53:38; 3. Aaike De Wever (BEL) 11:53:48
Looking Ahead
With its mix of grassroots races, international competition, and a community atmosphere that makes everyone feel part of something special, Skyline Scotland has reestablished itself as a highlight of the trail running calendar.
For those who took part this year, whether running, supporting, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, the Highlands gave us all a reminder: trail running is about more than just results. It’s about weathering the storm together, celebrating the highs, and already dreaming bigger for 2026.
Save the Date for 2026; Next year’s edition of Salomon Skyline Scotland will take place Saturday 19th September 2026. Entries will open early next year; subscribe to the newsletter to be first to hear when they are open.
Photos courtesy of Tania Raab and Ourea Events
