Isle of Jura Fell Race

The inaugural race took place in 1973, when it was called the Bens of Jura Fell Race. The founder was George Broderick who, after recognising the potential for a tough fell race on the island during a visit there in 1970, returned the following year to carry out further investigation. It was intended to hold the first race in 1972, with the Glasgow and Strathclyde Officers' Training Corps having agreed to control the radio communications for the race. However, difficulty in securing suitable rescue cover for the day of the race led to postponement until 14 July 1973. The event was held again in both 1974 and 1975 but a low number of entries for the 1976 race, coupled with concerns over the dependability of the safety cover on the mountain summits, resulting in the race being cancelled.[6]

There followed a hiatus in the event but some runners were keen for it to be re-established. Mike Davies (a winner of the Ben Nevis Race and the Three Peaks Race) felt that Jura was "the most ambitious fell race ever promoted". In May 1983 the race took place again, being then organised by Donald Booth with sponsorship from the local distillery.[7] Booth continued as organiser until Andy and Ann Curtis took over in 1993. They coordinated the event until 2005 and were followed as organisers by Phil Hodgson and Mandy Goth for five years until Graham Arthur took on the race management.[8]

Runners have often had navigational problems during the race but particularly poor visibility has occasionally seen even some of the checkpoint marshals unable to find their assigned locations which has compounded the confusion for the runners. This was reported to be the case in the 1975 race[9] and again in the 1995 event which took place in severe conditions. In the latter year only eighty-three of the 135 starters finished the race and the men's and women's winners were both Jura locals, with Duncan Richardson winning the men's race despite a significant detour from the optimal route.[10]

In 1991 an alternative route was used for the first time due to the unfavourable conditions.[11] The 2005 race also used the bad weather course which went around the Paps rather than over them.[12]

The 2000 race was in jeopardy due to a proposed strike by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry workers but ultimately went ahead with little disruption.[13]

Jura has been a counting race in the Scottish Hill Running Championships, including the 2003 and 2016 seasons.[14]

The 2011 event was featured on BBC Scotland's programme The Adventure Show.[15]

Runners completing the race in under four hours are awarded with an engraved whisky glass[16] and those who have completed the race twenty-one times are presented with a George Broderick Plaque.[17]

The men's course record is 3:05:14 set by Finlay Wild in 2017, beating the previous record which had been set three years earlier by Hector Haines. Jasmin Paris holds the women's record, with 3:38:43 set in 2015.

Angela Mudge has the most wins, with seven between 2002 and 2012. Ian Holmes has the most victories amongst the men, with six between 1993 and 2009.

The winners have been as follows.[18]

^{Note A} There is a discrepancy of ten minutes in times reported for Finlayson, with 3:39:22 given by the Jura Fell Race website and The Times of 30 May 1983, but 3:29:22 in Stud Marks on the Summits, 178, The Fell Runner, 1974, 32, and The Fellrunner Magazine, Jun 2005, 17.

^{Note B} Bad weather course.