Isle of Canna 10K Trail Run
Saturday 25th May 2024
The Canna 10k team are very happy to announce that next years trail run will take place Saturday 25th May 2024.
Distance : 10km
Start time : 12pm
Price : £25
Route : The track is uneven and without tarmac therefore trail trainers are suggested. It will contain at least two steep climbs. Marshals and water stations will be provided along the route.
Registration on arrival : Registration will be at the Shearing Shed in the Square from 10:00am. Changing space will be available in the Shearing Shed but the organisers cannot accept any responsibility for the safety of property left there.
Under 18s : Not allowed (sorry).
Dogs : Not allowed (sorry).
Race times : The organisers cannot guarantee an accurate time for you run.
Toilets and Shower : Toilets are available at the Square, the community shop and the pier. A shower is available at the campsite. Please make a donation.
BBQ & Refreshments: There will be a free BBQ plus teas and coffees after the race at the Shearing Shed.
Ceilidh & Bar : There will be a ceilidh in the evening in the Shearing Shed. Tickets are £15 for the ceilidh.
NB your run ticket does not include the ceilidh or food. We advise that electronic payment will not be possible out with Cafe Canna itself.
A bar will be run in the Shearing Shed by Cafe Canna with food for sale - stovies or mac-n-cheese- yum!
Trail description
NB Please keep to the left when sharing the track
with runners going in the other direction.
The run is entirely on an unevenly surfaced, vehicle width track. In some parts of Section 1 there will be unfenced drops to one side and in Section 2 there will be potentially slippery surfaces on the Sanday road bridge and also along the tidal road (tide will be out!). Trail shoes are strongly recommended.
Section 1
Start in the yard beside the Shearing Shed. A short stretch of easy running along the bay takes you to the first fork just before a small white cottage (Jane’s Cottage) on the track.
Fork right at Jane’s and continue through the lambing fields and along the track beneath spectacular columnar basalt rock formations.
Just before the 3k mark, the track climbs steeply for a short while with unfenced drops on the seaward side.
A steep and winding descent follows with unfenced drops on the seaward site, continuing down to the end of the road in the Tarbert field.
There will be a turnaround and water station in the field. Start back along the same track as the outward run. This is the longest uphill on the run with steep sections and unfenced drops to one side. Enjoy views over Sanday and across to Rum as you start the climb.
Take care on the following steep downward section but don’t forget to enjoy the fine views of the north cliffs of Rum.
Section 2
Return to the Jane’s Cottage junction (6.5km – over half way!) and turn right going over the road bridge to Sanday. The bridge can be slippery in wet weather so take care.
Coming off the bridge, head straight on up the short hill on Sanday’s brand new (2018) non-tidal track ‘Finlay’s Road’ and past the small shrine to ‘Our Lady of the Seas’. As you reach the highest section of this track around the 8km mark, there should be spectacular views of the Skye Cuillins.
You will come to a T junction with a water station and on the right you will see St Edward’s church. This was built at the end of the 19th Century but has since been deconsecrated and despite attempts at renovation, ongoing damp has rendered it unusable. You will also see the tops of six small wind turbines – part of the Canna renewable energy scheme that came on line in October 2018. Turn left here.
Run down hill toward the shore and turn left onto the old tidal road. Note that this is very uneven and parts of it, particularly after the 9km mark, can be very slippery. Be careful with tired legs!
Return over the Sanday road bridge and along the track to the finish, just before the Shearing Shed.
We hope that you have a great day!
