US event management chief planning Thurso to Dunnet Head marathon event
Plans are being drawn up for a marathon event next summer on a route between Thurso and Dunnet Head.
The idea has come from the head of an American-based event management company who has family links to the Dunnet area.
The chairman of Thurso Community Council, Ron Gunn, says it could "put the town on the map" and believes local businesses will welcome the venture.
The route would be on a section of the North Coast 500, mainly covering the A836 and B855, between Thurso's esplanade and the most northerly point on the UK mainland. Thurso would be the starting and finishing point.
Along with the 26.2-mile marathon distance itself there would be a series of shorter runs, including a 10k and a 5k.
Mr Gunn gave an update at this week's community council meeting following correspondence with Dan Liechty, owner and chief executive of Old Dominion Racing, based in Virginia. His company wants to stage the event on July 24, 2022.
He envisages spin-offs for local businesses and says there could be a camp site for "out-of-towners".
Mr Liechty has connections to Dunnet on his mother's side – the Calder family – and he visited the county in 2006 as part of a tour of the Highlands.
Mr Gunn told community councillors on Tuesday night that Mr Liechty had clearly “taken a shine" to Thurso.
“He has started the ball rolling with Highland Council, for getting permission, licences and whatever he needs," Mr Gunn explained.
“He is also very keen to get the local hotels and restaurants involved, talking about a voucher system for the people that are going to take part in it.
"He is speaking to Highland Council about a possible site for people who maybe want to put tents up. He would like to have an interesting start and finish point, possibly with a wee bit of a market there.
“He has asked if we can assist him in any way.
“I know it's a year away but it sounds as though there could be a bit of potential there for the town. It could put the town on the map and I'm sure the local businesses will be quite keen.”