Highly commended by the prestigious Half Marathon List, the half marathon and associated 10K and 1.67 mile fun run attracted 877 runners, with youngsters taking part in the toddler dash.
One of Scotland’s longest running road races, and the only one of its kind on Skye, the scenic route is famous for its hills.
The Skye Pipe Band piped runners to the start line in Portree on Saturday, June 13, where they set off on the picturesque course on single-track roads beneath the Cuillin mountains.
Tom Cunningham, of Corstorphine AAC, took first place with a time of 1:15:42, while Gayle Lindsay, of PH Racing Club, claimed the women's title in 1:25:41.
The event attracted runners from 21 countries, highlighting the growing international appeal of the Skye Half Marathon.
Participants travelled from across the globe, including the United States, Germany, Canada, France, Morocco, South Africa, Singapore, Sweden, Colombia, Mexico and Norway, with some covering thousands of miles to experience one of the UK's most scenic road races.
Despite its international reach, the event remains firmly rooted in the local community, with 183 runners – around one in five - from Skye, with local runners sweeping up prizes in several categories.
The mix of local runners, visitors from across the UK, and international participants created a unique atmosphere, showcasing both the Skye and the warm welcome for which the event has become known.
Fiona Baker, of organisers Skye Events, said:
“We had a brilliant day and hope everyone who took part had an amazing experience and made memories to last a lifetime.
“It really is an amazing race with stunning scenery and a great atmosphere.
“The Skye Half Marathon and 10K has always been about community, and on Saturday Skye once again showed exactly what makes this event so special.
“We are incredibly grateful for the backing from Bakkafrost Scotland. Their long-running headline sponsorship is essential to putting on the event each year, and the practical support from Bakkafrost Scotland staff on the day is invaluable.”
The annual event has been running since 1984 and has raised more than £250,000 for local charities and community groups.
This year, this £6,000 raised will support The Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau, Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Association, and Skye Cancer Care.
Bakkafrost Scotland marked its eighth year as headline sponsor of the event, with senior marine operative Dimitrios Chariskos heading up a team of local staff helping to set out and dismantle the course. He also represented Bakkafrost Scotland in presenting prizes to winners.
Sinead McLaughlin, from Glasgow, was one of the runners taking part. She praised the organisation of the event and the support from locals, who turned out to cheer on participants and hand out sweets along the course.
The Garscube Harriers member said: “The Skye Half Marathon was an incredible day, well organised, with fantastic support all the way around the course. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was special, with a brilliant pipe band playing at the start line, setting the Scottish tone perfectly.
“The weather certainly added to the experience. It had been raining just before the race, but almost miraculously, it stopped right as we set off. The rest of the run was cloudy and windy, but what else would you expect from the Misty Isle?
“The course itself is no joke. It's very undulating, kicking off with a challenging three-mile climb that really gets the legs working early on.
“Thankfully, there were plenty of friendly volunteers stationed along the route, along with regular water stops every few miles. Even better, lots of locals came out to cheer runners on, handing out sweets and offering much-needed encouragement.
“Coming into the finish was unforgettable. Crowds lined the final stretch, cheering loudly and giving me that extra boost I needed to push into a sprint finish.”
Ian Laister, managing director of Bakkafrost Scotland, said:
“As a local employer across the west coast of Scotland, including Skye, our partnership with the Isle of Skye Half Marathon reflects Bakkafrost Scotland's commitment to supporting the communities where our employees live, work, and thrive.
“It’s great to be able to support this event as it goes from strength to strength while raising much-needed funds for local charities.
“The half marathon is now one of the biggest annual events on Skye and attracts runners from across the globe.
“Dimitrios Chariskos and his team did an excellent job of assisting the course set up and handing out prizes, thanks to them for all their hard work.”
Hundreds of runners from around the world took part in the Isle of Skye Half Marathon, sponsored by Bakkafrost Scotland, this weekend.