Ultra runner Scott Brown has set an impressive new record completing the iconic West Highland Way out and back in 44 hours and 40 minutes. He smashed the previous fastest known time set by Keith Hughes in June 2016 by 21 hours and 35 minutes.
Incredibly, Scott, who is 43 today, ran the 192 miles in this weekend’s blistering heat, with temperatures rising to 30C.
After finishing the feat, the fitness coach and former British Army physical trainer from Irvine said: “It was very tough – brutal at times – especially because it was so hot.
“But it also feels unreal and I’m still buzzing. The support I received and the people who turned up at the finish line was overwhelming.”
Scott dedicated the record run to the late John Kynaston, who was a well-known and much-loved friend of the West Highland Way Race. He is also raising funds for Circle Scotland, a charity that works at the heart of deprived communities across central Scotland to support the most disadvantaged children and their families.
Scott’s West Highland Way double record
The West Highland Way is a famous walking trail that travels 154km (96 miles) from Milngavie, north of Glasgow, to Fort William in the Highlands. The total elevation one way about 3650m.
Scott, who is an experienced and successful long-distance runner, set out at 4pm on Friday July 11 from Milngavie and reached Fort William 96 miles later in 19 hours, 45 minutes. He then turned around and ran south to finish in Milngavie on Sunday July 13. This amounts to a total of 308km and 7300m of total ascent.
He was surprised by the warm temperatures even in the early sections. Scott said: “The forecast had been for high temperatures on Saturday and Sunday but I found Friday just as hot.
“Even into the first evening, it felt very warm and I did end up affected by the heat. I was very nauseous at times and I didn’t want to eat. My support team kept encouraging me to eat, which was the right thing to do, but I couldn’t always stomach it. At one point, I brought everything back up again.
“I also felt dehydrated for a lot of the run despite drinking a great deal of fluids. It was unrelentingly hot for most of the run both ways and I wouldn’t be surprised if the temperature rose above 30C at times.
“The heat also affected my feet. I ended up with very hot feet and blisters. The blisters were painful and the pads of my feet were really sore. Towards the end, I kept tripping over and I had to try to numb my brain from the pain in my feet.”
No sleep for 50 hours
Scott had planned to sleep at some point during the ultra challenge but in the end he ran through two nights. He said: “I had no sleep for about 50 hours by the time I added in the waking hours on Friday and then I didn’t sleep all the way through the run.
“At Fort William, I just turned around and started running south again. I didn’t stop to think about it and simply kept running.
“Then, I had thought I would have a sleep on the return run, maybe at Beinglas but in the end I felt okay to keep going. I was tired but I was fine when I was running.”
Scott stopped for a moment at a bridge that was erected in memory of John Kynaston. He said: “I took strength from my memories of John. He was always so friendly and such a giving man. I wanted to dedicate my run to him and thoughts of him kept me going.”
Supported West Highland Way double run
Scott is normally a runner who enjoys being on his own yet he was very grateful to his support team during this challenge. He said: “There are many people that I want to thank and I could not have done this run without them.
“Chris Saunderson was there at every checkpoint to help me and I had many of the people who I coach through Scott Brown Fitness running sections with me.
“I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this because I am usually a solo runner and I like my running time to myself but it was actually brilliant. Each runner brought something different, whether it was a bit of energy for running, something to talk about or dipping my hat into a cold water stream.
“My wife Kerri and my daughters Cora and Dakota were also amazing. I ran the last miles with Kerri and that was very special.
“With challenges like these you are the sum of your support team and even when I was vomiting or I was sat under a big midge net and couldn’t see who was helping me, I was grateful for everyone being there with me.
“Overall, while it was a long and tough challenge in scorching conditions I am very pleased with how well I ran and how I could keep going. I am very happy with my time and the new West Highland Way double record.
“I am also delighted that people have donated to my charity fundraiser and we have raised more than £3000 so far.” See: Just Giving page.
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