RUNNERS from across Scotland and beyond descended on Cowal on Saturday as the Dunoon Ultra Marathon and relay celebrated its tenth anniversary with another memorable day on the trails.
Organised by Dunoon Presents and strongly supported by a committee of local volunteers, the event has grown significantly since its beginnings a decade ago and is now firmly established in Scotland’s ultra-running calendar, bringing competitors, supporters and volunteers together for a challenging journey through some of Cowal’s most spectacular scenery.
This year’s anniversary event brought a new start to the Ultra, with Benmore House providing an excellent base for runners to gather, prepare and soak up the pre-race atmosphere before setting off.
For the first time, competitors then headed out through Benmore’s iconic Golden Gates as they began the demanding 52-kilometre route around Loch Eck, eventually making their way back towards Dunoon and the finish at the town’s historic Victorian Pier.
Overall honours in the 2026 Dunoon Ultra went to John Bell, who completed the course in an impressive 3hrs, 45mins and 44secs.
Bell’s victory continued a remarkable association with Dunoon. His first ever ultramarathon was the 2025 Dunoon Ultra, where he also took the win, meaning he now has two victories from his first two appearances at the event.
A total of 102 solo runners completed this year’s Ultra, alongside 33 relay teams.
One of the most memorable moments came towards the end of a long day when couple Tracey and Scott Williamson crossed the finish line together in 8hrs, 52mins and 10secs.
Race Director Lisa Marshall said: “What can I say?
“What a day Dunoon put on–there were big smiles everywhere. So much hard work goes into making the Ultra happen and seeing every runner out there enjoying our hills and the incredible support from our volunteers makes it all
worthwhile.
“A huge thank you has to go to all of our volunteers and marshals, Dunoon Hill Runners, local businesses, the community and families who helped make our tenth anniversary so special. I also can’t thank the committee enough for everything they do.”
That army of volunteers once again formed the backbone of the event, with marshals stationed throughout the route, often for many hours, helping to keep runners safe, supported and on course as they made their way around Loch Eck. Bike sweepers followed the field, providing an additional layer of safety and support, while others worked behind the scenes on everything from registration to refreshments at the finish area.
The anniversary weekend also provided an opportunity to give something back to the local community. Crossroads Caring for Carers Cowal and Bute and Young Carers raised more than £700 through runner donations and proceeds from the event tombola, while a collection for Dunoon Foodbank received tremendous support from runners, who arrived with donations to help replenish local supplies.
A special thank you also went to Frank and Charlotte Stewart, whose craftsmanship was once again behind the event’s distinctive trophies and medals, designed and made especially for the occasion.
The Ultra’s success also depends on the continued backing of businesses and
organisations both locally and further afield. Local supporters including Stewart Shaw Ltd, Blacks the Baker, Cothouse Garage, Shearwater Marine Services, Benmore Gardens and West Coast Motors helped with the operation of the event and donated prizes, while Bimble and Bolt provided gift vouchers for the winners. Long-standing supporters Tunnock’s and Ronhill have also backed the event for a number of years, once again providing goodies for runners’ finish bags and spot prizes for competitors.
Ten years on from its first race, the Dunoon Ultra has grown into an established fixture, attracting runners from across the country. Many now return year after year, with the event firmly marked on their calendars and race weekend becoming an annual trip to Dunoon to run, reconnect with friends and enjoy everything the area has to offer.
The event continues to showcase Cowal’s spectacular landscape while retaining the community spirit that has become such an important part of its identity. The support given to runners around the course is one of the defining features of the Dunoon Ultra, and this year’s event has already generated a flood of photographs, messages and congratulations online as competitors shared their medals, times and experiences from the day.
Those memories were captured throughout the weekend by Ken Clark Photography and
Lomond Photography by Chris Sutherland, with both photographers documenting the runners, volunteers, scenery and atmosphere from across the event. The organisers extended their thanks to Ken and Chris for once again capturing the spirit of the Dunoon Ultra and providing a lasting record of its tenth anniversary.
From the first runners setting off through the Golden Gates at Benmore to the final finishers arriving back at the Victorian Pier, the tenth Dunoon Ultra was a celebration of everything the event has become – a challenging race, a showcase for Cowal and, above all, a weekend shaped by the people who return to it, support it and make it happen.
After a decade on the trails, attention can now turn to what comes next.
