Entries for the 2025 West Highland Way Race open today (Friday November 1) and will remain open for the entire month.
While most outdoor enthusiasts walk the 96-mile West Highland Way over four-to-seven days to savour the journey, on the weekend of June 21, the annual race sets runners the challenge of finishing in under 35 hours.
The ultra running event, on Scotland’s iconic long-distance hiking route, is one of the world’s longest established ultra-marathons. It first took place in 1985 between Milngavie (just north of Glasgow) and Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.
Since then, it has developed a worldwide reputation as one of the “classic” ultra-marathon races, attracting runners to Scotland from all over the world.
Entry is limited to 300 runners each year, with the relatively small size of the field helping to preserve the friendly nature of the event.
Places are not allocated on a first-come-first-served basis but take account of experience. Potential participants must be able to prove they have completed a trail ultra of 65k or more since 2022. If more than the race entry limit is reached, a ballot will be held in the first week of December to determine final entries.
For 2025, the organisers are offering a bonus of £1500 for anyone male or female, setting a new course record .
Current course records are held by Rob Sinclair for the men who ran 13 hours 41minutes and 08 seconds in the 2017 race. Lucy Colquhoun set the current women’s record of 17:16:20 in 2007.
*Full entry details can be found at West Highland Way Race. The race is grateful for assistance from supporting sponsors Ron Hill.