The island of Hoy is the second largest in Orkney but the population is less than 100. Apparently Hoy means high (in old Norse), since the island has the biggest hills in the archipelago , writes Simon Hallpike. This and the high winds experienced in the area have led to the well-established half marathon - now in its 24th running - having a reputation as one of the UK's toughest. I have always fancied running this race so it was handy that I happened to be staying in Orkney capital Kirkwall on holiday when the 2010 race took place.

The race has a limit of 150, of whom 130 made it to the start line, nearly all of them travelling to Hoy by boat on the day. This year, twelve runners from North Highland Harriers chartered a boat direct from John O'Groats, but the majority arrived with me on the 9am ferry from Houton on the Orkney Mainland to the former military harbour at Lyness.

The same bus that took me to the ferry terminal came over on the boat and took most of the runners to register at the primary school at North Walls and then on to the start line 13.1 miles up the road near Rackwick Bay. At this point it started raining. Last minute toilet facilities at the start consisted of two signs by the roadside and a cardboard screen on the women's side. There are no trees on the peat moor.... As the rain continued and the runners stripped down, a delay to the start was announced while a further busload of runners was awaited - the only slight glitch in an otherwise superbly organised event.

Then suddenly we were called to the line and set off. With little wind, conditions were excellent for running. The first few miles along a dark valley were fairly gently undulating. Then at some point before turning along the coast the rain stopped and the course started to get interesting with scenic views and a 1.5 mile steady climb to just beyond half way. On the downhill mile that followed, I passed some other runners and set about trying to hold them off as they chased me up the steep hill that followed.

I was expecting to find the whole race very challenging but actually the second half is much easier than the first - I was nearly two minutes faster - and I felt good all the way, especially as I came over the final hill and down to the finish to a warm round of applause.

I was booked on the earlier ferry back so after a cup of tea and piece of fruitcake I left before the presentations, but it made my day when I learned from the results in the local paper later in the week that I'd come 21st (1:39:15) and won the M55 category (even if the first M60 was nearly ten minutes quicker!). This was the most enjoyable race I've run for years and would strongly recommend it to any runner who can conveniently get to it.