Ultra-marathon champion David Parrish has died while running in the Highlands. The 35-year-old from Dumfries was attempting to beat the record for the fastest completion of the Cape Wrath Trail.
The 234 mile (376km) route stretches from Fort William to Cape Wrath.
Runner Found in Remote Highland Area
Parrish, a former Royal Marine, was discovered in the remote mountainous area of Kintail in the north-west Highlands on Saturday. Police Scotland stated that he was found at approximately 22:25. A statement added that there were no suspicious circumstances and his next of kin are aware.
Parrish had won the Cape Wrath Trail race in 2023. He had only been running competitively for a few years.
The trail, encompassing Lochaber, Knoydart, Applecross, and Torridon, is known as one of the UK’s most challenging routes.
Fundraising for Mountain Rescue
Parrish was running to raise funds for Scottish Mountain Rescue in memory of his close friend, Luke Ireland. Ireland, a 20-year-old Royal Marine from Monifeith, died while running in the mountains of Glen Clova in Angus in November 2014.
Writing on his fundraising page, Parrish noted that mountain rescue team volunteers searched tirelessly for Luke. He said they were available ”365 days a year to respond to emergencies in the mountains and remote areas of Scotland”.
Thousands of pounds have been raised on the charity page, with tributes made to the runner.
Tributes Paid to Champion
Parrish was a member of the Dumfries Running Club, becoming club champion in 2022. He began running in his late teens, progressing to local 5km and 10km races in his early 20s.
After leaving the service, he began competing in Parkruns and walked the Cape Wrath Trail in 2021.
No Limits Photography, who photographed Parrish winning the 2023 Cape Wrath event, paid tribute to him. Owners Harriet D’Alessio and Christiaan Le Roux said: “David has always been such a joyful person and an inspirational ultra marathon athlete to spend time with. The world and the sport will be a far lesser place without him.”
Parrish previously spoke of using running as a way of decompressing from the demands of his job in the marines.