On your marks! Get ready! Wait for it!
Go is at 2:00pm, Saturday 5th May, 2018.
The race event is the Tiree 10K and Half-Marathon.
It appeared as if external circumstances were conspiring against it.

First of all the MV Clansman required extensive unplanned for repairs.
And for several months now the ferry service has been in crisis.
Many West Coast routes have suffered as a result.
Business on Tiree has been hit a hard blow.
Yet Tiree has hardly had a mention.

The replacement vessel has a much reduced capacity.
In fact two sailings cannot handle the Clansman’s capacity.
Confirmed bookings for particular sailings have been cancelled.
Would all those taking part in the race manage to make the crossing?

To add to the problems it is also the Early May Bank Holiday.
Thankfully the MV Isle of Mull was transferred to the route on Friday.
Although still with a reduced capacity it is larger than the replacement vessel.
It is expected that the MV Isle of Mull will cover Monday’s sailing to Coll and Tiree.

On Thursday evening the mist came down.
On Friday morning the island was under a blanket of fog.
So the ferry was almost alongside the pier before it became visible.
However, there were no problems in berthing and soon the traffic rolled off.
This included the traffic bound for Coll which had to be subsequently reloaded.

Once all the vehicles were off foot passengers and cyclists were disembarked.
It was an encouraging sight to see them make their way up the pier.
Already the island is beginning to feel much busier.

Although Tiree has three runways planes land by sight.
Mist and fog normally mean the plane is unable to make a landing.
The morning plane was first of all delayed and then showed cancelled.
The big question was, ‘Would the fog clear and make a later landing possible?’
The good news is that just in time the mist lifted sufficiently for at least two landings.

It appears that most things are falling into place.
Registration for the race opened this evening at 6:00pm.
Tomorrow others will arrive and join the queue for registration.
Then will follow the race briefing before everyone heads for Balinoe Beach.

Tiree is a unique race venue.
Often sunny it can also be windy.
Then there are our white sandy beaches.
In May there is the 10K and Half-Marathon.
In September there is the very special Ultra-Marathon.

These events are organised by Will Wright of Tiree Fitness.
His wife Becky of Chocolates and Charms is in charge of the cafe.
Friendly and welcoming, her jewellery and cakes are much sought after.

Tomorrow at 2:00 it will be “Go!”
Along the route Marshalls will be there to encourage.
The evening will conclude with tired feet dancing at the ceilidh.

This is ‘Life on Tiree’.

Next Morning Making Sunday Special