7 days ago
Irvine ultra runner sets new world record for completing the double West Highland Way
Scott Brown completed the iconic route in 44 hours and 40 minutes, beating the previous record by over 21 hours.
Irvine gym owner and personal trainer, Scott Brown, has set a new world record completing the iconic West Highland Way run in 44 hours and 40 minutes.
The ultra runner smashed the previous fastest known time set by Keith Hughes in June 2016 by a whopping 21 hours and 35 minutes.
Despite a heatwave, Scott, 43, set off from Milngavie on Friday, July 11 at 4pm.
He reached Fort William around lunchtime on Saturday, July 12. The journey took him 19 hours, 45 minutes. Scott then returned to Milngavie early on Sunday, July 13.
Scott's goal was never to beat the record but he says it was "an icing on the cake".
He said: "It was never my goal to beat the record, it was about completing this challenge but I think it is just nice to have it."
Scott ran the annual West Highland Way Race in 2019, where he finished in sixth place after completing halfway in 17 hours, 53 minutes and 50 seconds.
It was Scott's friend, Chris Saunderson, who inspired him to run the double West Highland Way this time.
Scott said: "Chris once said something like 'could you imagine running there and back as a challenge'.
"And I thought it might be a good idea. This was four years ago, and I had a thought since, that one day, I would do this."
He added: "I had a few races that I had pencilled in and wanted to do like the Spine and the Race Across Scotland but slowly the idea of the double West Highland Way started to take centre stage.
"This year, I just thought, you know what, I am going to do this challenge. I went back to Chris and asked if he would support me. I knew that he would do the road support for my challenge and he did."
Although Scott initially planned to stop during his 192-mile journey and get some rest and sleep, he decided to keep going and run through two nights.
He said: "I had no sleep at all from start to finish, so that became a challenge on the second night when I was halfway through.
"I was going through the woods and the progress had been a wee bit slow because I was running through terrain. I was getting a bit sleepy and started to switch a little bit.
"I was looking forward to daylight. I think sleep deprivation was tough.
"I started coming back down and I thought 'you know what, I think I can go the full day without a sleep', so I decided to keep going. If you count the time when I woke up on Friday until the time when I went to sleep, I was awake for more than 55 hours."
The third heatwave of the year hit parts of the UK during Scott's challenge, who says the "toughest challenge" was to run in over 30 degrees, with no wind.
He added: "Everyone keeps saying that the hardest part is getting to Fort William and then coming back. But actually, that was one of the most rewarding parts. When I got to the halfway point, I knew every step that I took after that.
"It also felt like an accomplishment to complete halfway in under 20 hours."
He said: "But I think the biggest part was seeing my wife Kerri and daughter Dakota at every checkpoint. My wife also joined me for the last four miles so I really loved that."
During the challenge, Scott was joined not only by his wife Kerri but by his clients, people that he coached and trained.
Previous record holder Keith also came to support Scott and joined at Blanefield when there was around 10-miles to go.
"It was really nice because some people would bring me some extra water, some would give me a bit of morale", he said.
When Scott reached the finish line with Keri by his side, their two daughters Cora and Dakota were there along with family, friends and clients.
Scott dedicated the record run to the late John Kynaston, who was a former committee member of the West Highland Way Race and a much-loved friend of many ultra runners.
John was an inspiration to many over the years, including Scott when he first started his running journey in 2019.
Scott said: "John was inspiring. When I did my first West Highland Way Race in 2019, John was talking on social media about the route. It was just very helpful to runners starting up. He was giving a lot of tips and how to prepare for it. He was just a really nice guy and he gave a lot back to the running community."
John passed away in 2020 and funds were raised to replace a bridge on the West Highland Way trail in his memory.
It was a special moment for Scott when he stopped at The John Kynaston Bridge in Glen Falloch, near Derrydarroch Farm, on the return journey.
He said: "I want to think that John helped me along the way, because it was such a tough challenge. I hope he guided me and showed me the way."
As part of the challenge, Scott also set up a fundraiser for Circle Scotland, a charity that works with families facing multiple disadvantages because of structural inequality, poverty, drug and alcohol use, imprisonment, physical or mental health, trauma, abuse, and loss.
With help from the community, family and friends, Scott raised over £4,000.
He said: "I am very grateful. I couldn't believe the amount of support I got.
"And I am very grateful for the donations, it just shows the power of the community. You don't get over £4,000 without people getting behind you.
"People all over Scotland are contacting me, wishing me well, congratulating me. It feels nice.
"I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped to sponsor me and got behind me."
To help Scott with his fundraiser, please visit here.
