Ultra-marathon champion dies while running Cape Wrath trail
Ultra-marathon champion dies while running Cape Wrath trail
A 35-year-old ultra-marathon runner from Dumfries has passed away during a race on the Highlands. David Parrish was attempting to set a new record for the quickest completion of the Cape Wrath trail, a grueling 234-mile (376km) path stretching from Fort William to Cape Wrath. His body was discovered in the rugged Kintail region of the north-west Highlands on Saturday evening, around 22:25. Police Scotland confirmed there were no signs of foul play, with his family informed of the incident.
Parrish, a former Royal Marine, had previously triumphed in the Cape Wrath Trail race in 2023, despite having competed in the sport for just a short time. The trail traverses treacherous landscapes, including Lochaber, Knoydart, Applecross, and Torridon, and is regarded as one of the UK’s most demanding routes. His latest effort was part of a fundraising campaign for Scottish Mountain Rescue, honoring the memory of his late friend, Luke Ireland.
“Mountain rescue team volunteers searched tirelessly for Luke and were available ”365 days a year to respond to emergencies in the mountains and remote areas of Scotland,”” Parrish wrote on his fundraising page.
His friend, Luke Ireland, a 20-year-old Royal Marine from Monifeith, died in November 2014 while running in the Glen Clova mountains of Angus. Parrish’s initiative raised thousands of pounds for the charity, with numerous tributes shared online. The event marked his return to the trail after a 2021 walk, following a career in the Royal Marines where he used running as a way to unwind from the job’s intensity.
Parrish had competed in local 5km and 10km races during his teenage years before advancing to professional competitions in his early 20s. He was a standout member of the Dumfries Running Club, winning the club championship in 2022. His dedication to the sport and community was further highlighted by his collaboration with No Limits Photography, where his 2023 Cape Wrath race was captured.
The company’s owners, Harriet D’Alessio and Christiaan Le Roux, shared their condolences on Tuesday. “David has always been such a joyful person and an inspirational ultra marathon athlete to spend time with,” they said. “The world and the sport will be a far lesser place without him.”