An extreme race through Scotland's mountains has been disrupted by a landslip near Ben Nevis.

About 400 runners had been expected to travel along the Steall Gorge footpath during the Ring of Steall Skyrace, a gruelling 18-mile trek through the hills.

But the route was closed on Tuesday for more than five weeks after boulders weighing up to 40 tonnes plunged down the side of a mountain and blocked the path.

Race organisers Skyline Scotland said the impact on Saturday's event would be minor but said runners would have to take an alternative route.

The John Muir Trust, which owns the land where the landslip occurred, said about ten tonnes of loose rocks and boulders are still sitting above the footpath.

A spokesman for Skyline Scotland said: "After the closure of the Steall Gorge path, the Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace will go ahead using the contingency route this Saturday.

"The impact on participants and the original race route is negligible."

Mountain running is considered to be one of the most difficult outdoor pursuits, with races covering long distances and featuring steep ascents, traverses and descents at altitudes of more than 6500ft.

Competitors entering the Ring of Steall Skyrace are expected to have experience in mountain climbing, running and map-reading and are asked to sign a waiver saying they understand the risk of "serious injury or death".

The Ring of Steall race will be followed by another in Glen Coe on Sunday, which Skyline Scotland claims is the "most challenging mountain race in the world".