Background and Inspiration

The West Highland Way Challenge Race was set up in 2013 by several of the very experienced racers of the West Highland Way.  These guys have spent days, weeks, months, years on the trails and hills of Scotland.  They were the 'hard core' runners plenty of experience and most probably tens of thousands of tough trail miles in their legs.  They love the sport, the adventure, the nature, the challenge and (maybe most of all) the camaraderie of trail running and endurance events.

They also really enjoy encouraging and supporting others (from complete novice to seasoned ultra runner) to get involved and give running, jogging or walking the West Highland Way a go. Too many races now are about elitism and money, rather than pure running for all. 

Many of the founders of The West Highland Way Challenge Race have raced the WHW over 20 times.  They are very experienced so they know the challenges competitors will encounter in terms of the terrain and especially with regard to weather conditions on the route.

So, from all of this experience the founders of the West Highland Way Challenge Race were inspired to create a race that welcomed and encouraged runners, joggers, walkers and anyone in between.  Offer them all a friendly, inclusive event and the opportunity to give an ultra event a good go on the glorious West Highland Way long distance trail.

They also wished the race to be fully supported by the race organisers, thus removing the need for every competitor to plan for, pay for and provide their own individual support crew of Driver, Support Runner, Support Car and the provision of drinks to the competitor and food and drinks to the support crew. With this ethos in mind, as soon as a competitor arrives at Fort william to their Finish in Milngavie the WHW Challenge Race organisers provide everything including the movement of the competitors 2 drop bags during the race and their Finish Bag to Milngavie.  This helps to make the event as affordable and hassle free as possible for UK, European and International competitors.

Also, to have a West Highland Way Challenge Race that has sensible check point cut-off times that allow a finish instead of a Sections Race with different speeds required in each section and to have a race that avoided over stringent entry requirements.

Simply put, just turn up, do the run or walk to the finish with food and drink supplied and without imposing on others and at low cost.