West Highland Way Race is a 95 miles ultra marathon in Milngavie, United Kingdom. Distance: 153km. Elevation: 4,500m D+. Difficulty: challenging (Challenge Rating 43/100). DNF rate: 25%. Time limit: 35h. Surface: trail. Established 1985.
West Highland Way Race
Milngavie, Scotland, United Kingdom
"95 miles along Scotland's most iconic trail — from Glasgow's suburbs through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glencoe to Fort William."
One of Britain's oldest and most prestigious ultras — 95 miles along the entire West Highland Way through Scotland's most dramatic landscapes.
The Course
The entire West Highland Way from Milngavie (just north of Glasgow) to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis. The route follows Scotland's most famous long-distance trail through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands. A journey through iconic Scottish landscapes.
hilly
point-to-point
9
548m
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. West Highland Way Race is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
12°C
6° – 18°
80%
55%
Scottish summer — highly changeable. Rain likely at some point. Midges (biting insects) can be severe in still, warm conditions. Rannoch Moor is exposed.
Stats & Records
1985
200
30:00:00
13:41:00
Paul Giblin (2019)
16:08:34
Debbie Martin-Consani (2019)
Entry
£150
October
instant
Lore & Trivia
The West Highland Way Race covers the full 154km of Scotland's most famous long-distance path, from Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Founded in 1985, it's the oldest ultra in Scotland and a race that defines the Scottish mountain running character: beautiful, brutal, and boggy. The route passes Loch Lomond, crosses Rannoch Moor (one of the last great wildernesses in Britain), and finishes in the shadow of Britain's highest mountain. Runners start at 1am Saturday and must finish by 1pm Sunday — 35 hours to cover terrain that most walkers take 5-7 days to complete. The race is intimate (250 runners) and the community is fiercely loyal.
- ▸ 154km of Scotland's most famous long-distance path.
- ▸ Founded in 1985 — Scotland's oldest ultra marathon.
- ▸ Starts at 1am from Milngavie, north of Glasgow.
- ▸ Crosses Rannoch Moor — one of Britain's last true wildernesses.
- ▸ Finishes in Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.
- ▸ 35-hour time limit. Most finishers take 24-30 hours.
- ▸ Only 250 places — sells out immediately.
- ▸ The race has never been cancelled due to weather — this is Scotland.
Rannoch Moor at 4am in the rain. That's where you find out if you're a Highland runner or a tourist.
Notable Editions
Rob Sinclair's Record
Scottish runner Rob Sinclair destroyed the course record in 13:41, running the WHW faster than most people drive it. His performance cemented the race's reputation for producing world-class Scottish ultra talent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is West Highland Way Race? +
West Highland Way Race is a 95 miles (153km) ultra marathon with 4,500m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.
How hard is West Highland Way Race? +
West Highland Way Race is rated challenging with a Challenge Rating of 43/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 25%. Runners have 35 hours to finish.
How do I enter West Highland Way Race? +
Must have completed a qualifying ultra event of at least 50 miles. Entry is by lottery. Entry costs £150. with a maximum of 250 starters.
What is the weather like at West Highland Way Race? +
Average temperature is 12°C (range 6°C to 18°C) with 80% humidity and a 55% chance of rain. Scottish summer — highly changeable. Rain likely at some point. Midges (biting insects) can be severe in still, warm conditions. Rannoch Moor is exposed.
Are crew and pacers allowed at West Highland Way Race? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed after 60km. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for West Highland Way Race? +
The men's course record is 13:41:00 set by Paul Giblin in 2019. The women's course record is 16:08:34 set by Debbie Martin-Consani in 2019.
What is the average finish time for West Highland Way Race? +
The average finish time is 30:00:00. About 200 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 25%.
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