Latest news with #WestHighlandWayRace
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
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.
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow dad running West Highland Way in memory of son
The 38-year-old dad originally from Yoker will run the West Highland Way nonstop in memory of his stillborn son Marco, who would have been 10 this year. He's competing in the West Highland Way Race, one of the world's longest-established ultra-marathons, first held in 1985. It'll see him battle rough terrain and rise over 14,000 feet as he attempts to run the long-distance trail between Milngavie (just north of Glasgow) and Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Mark will set off at 1am this Saturday, June 21, alongside 300 other rave ultra runners. Mark says he'll crawl across the line if he has to (Image: Gordon Terris) READ MORE: 8 of the best decorated cabs at Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund day out to Troon Mark is running the race to raise money for The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (Sands), a cause close to his heart. He said: "Unfortunately, 10 years ago, we lost our first son Marco. "On his due date, so full term, and Sands are such a great charity. "I'm trying to spread awareness of what they do, which is the reason behind everything I've been doing. "Over the last 10 years, I've just passed the £25,000 mark raised for Sands and Marco's memory." His previous challenges include running three laps of a Tough Mudder course, so he's no stranger to pushing himself. Mark, who now lives in Kelvindale, last attempted the route solo in 2023, but had to stop at the 71-mile mark due to an injury. He explained: "In 2023, I attempted the West Highland Way solo. "I sprained my ankle 67 miles in and had to hobble 71 miles to get collected. "I'd raised some more money for charity, just over £10,000 I raised that time." "That put me at a really low point because obviously I'd failed in my challenge. "But everybody reminded me, 'Well, you've not failed because your ultimate goal was to spread awareness and raise money for a charity, which you did.' "When I get to Glen Coe and leave Glen Coe, that'll be me going into uncharted territory because that's 71 miles in. "That's the furthest I've ever been before on a single run. "I think then I'll start believing at that point that it's there, the finish line's there. "I'm just looking forward to seeing the family at the end. That's what it's going to be all about." READ MORE: 'Goodbye for now': Popular West End pub announces temporary closure Mark hopes to cross the finish line in a time of around 25 hours, with a cut off on the race of 35 hours, to which he told me with a determined stare, "If I need to crawl to the finishing line, I'll be making it to the finish line. His family has been heavily involved in his training. He's been running with his sons Tino, Vito, Enzo, and Remo, and has had support from his wife Lisa. Mark said: "It's a point to prove, my family's invested a lot of time into this. "A training week for me is maybe 10 to 15 hours worth of actual running time. "I want to prove to everybody that I can manage this and repay people's generosity." (Image: Gordon Terris) READ MORE: 'Glasgow deserves better': Heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans Mark's focus, in addition to raising money for the charity, is to spread awareness and encourage people to open up about the 'taboo' subject. He said: "I've spoken to a lot of people over the years, and you often run into this kind of thing in everyday conversations – someone says, 'Oh, how many kids have you got?' and I'll say, 'I've got five boys – one of them passed away.' It can become quite a conversation killer." "People don't know what to say to other people when it's happened to them. Even when it happened to us. When we lost Marco, nobody knew what to say... "The one thing I wanted to know was that people are there, talking about it and saying my son's name. "People who have lost a child need to know they've still had a child, they're still a mom, they're still a dad. And that's really one of the focuses of my story and my mission." READ MORE: Council speaks out over primary school's union flag letter Mark will have a support crew of family and friends, and his 'partner in crime', best friend Ryan, will join him for some miles later in the race as a boost. Mark's employer, Brikability, is matching donations up to £3,000, which will massively boost his fundraising efforts. Most of the funding to the charity will go towards supporting parents and counselling groups, as well as memory boxes for families who have lost their baby. You can read more about Mark's efforts and donate at
The Herald Scotland
27-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Your guide to the West Highland Way this spring and summer
If you're looking to explore the great outdoors this summer and spring, here is everything you need to know about the West Highland Way. How long is the West Highland Way and is it difficult? The West Highland Way is around 96 miles in length. (Image: Getty) The West Highland Way is around 96 miles (154km) in length and generally takes six to eight days to complete, according to Wilderness Scotland. The Alpine Exploratory adds that the route is "not technically difficult" and is suitable for normally fit walkers. However, for short stretches of the walk, parts of the route become rockier and steeper than normal, providing some difficulty for visitors. Hotels and camping spots on the West Highland Way For those looking to set up a tent at a campsite, there are a number of options available, including Ben Nevis Holiday Park near Fort William and Blackwater Glamping. You can find more campsites at For those looking to spend the night in a hotel or hostel, there are also plenty of options to choose from. Balmaha Bunkhouse on the banks of Loch Lomond and Kingshouse Bunkhouse near Glencoe are among the backpacker options listed by Independent Hostels. King's House Hotel near Glencoe and the Oak Tree Inn by Loch Lomond are also some of the hotel options available to visitors. Find out more on the website. West Highland Way walkers should be conscious of ticks and interact with bodies of water safely. (Image: Getty Images) Safety tips for completing the West Highland Way Here are some things to consider when traversing the West Highland Way: Ticks and Lyme Disease: Parasitic insects like ticks are common in much of the West Highlands, with these carrying several diseases such as Lyme disease. Preventative measures would include walking in the middle of the path, keeping your arms and legs covered, the use of insect repellent, checking skin and clothes carefully and wearing light-coloured fabrics to more easily spot these pests. Take the right equipment: Ensuring you have the right equipment when completing the route is also key. According to Tiso, walkers should carry sunscreen and lip protection in the summer months, large water bottles (2 litres), appropriate clothes for rainy weather, walking shorts, waterproof hiking boots and sunglasses. Water safety: Along the route, there are large bodies of water, such as Loch Lomond, that can be tempting places to cool off in after hours of walking in the sun. However, visitors can run into trouble in even shallow waters, as the depth changes can be extreme and unexpected. Walkers should take time to read the signage to ensure they are acting safely. Find out more on the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park website. Recommended Reading: What is the West Highland Way Race Challenge? The West Highland Way Race is one of the "longest established ultra-marathons," according to organisers. The race covers the long-distance trail from Milngavie to Fort William and attracts runners from across Scotland and the world. Entry to the race is limited to 300 runners a year, which helps to preserve the surrounding landscape. Those wanting to volunteer for the 38th edition of the race in June can do so by visiting the West Highland Way Race website.
