Late last night, hill runner Robin Downie completed the inaugural Martin Moran Round, a link-up of most of the major peaks in Torridon and the Coulin hills, run to raise funds and publicity for the Martin Moran Foundation.
© Martin Moran Foundation
Starting in the early hours of the morning and finishing just before midnight, he completed the 86km round, which includes around 9000m of ascent, in a time of 20 hours 51 minutes.
Covering nine Munros and six Corbetts, and some of the most remote and challenging terrain in Wester Ross, his route took in Beinn Alligin, Baosbheinn, Beinn an Eoin, Beinn Dearg, Liathach, Beinn Eighe, Beinn Liath Mhor, Sgorr Ruadh, Fuar Tholl, Maol Cheann-dearg, An Ruadh-Stac and Beinn Damh.
© Robin Downie
Robin's progress could be followed by live tracker, though a malfunction meant that some of the route, from Beinn Eighe into Coulin, was not recorded.
"Growing up in Lochcarron, in the NW Highlands of Scotland, I have always had a love for the amazing landscapes around me" said Robin.
"In 2016 I signed up to the local Celtman extreme triathlon for the first time and soon I had developed a new passion for hill running. I went on to complete the Celtman twice, Glencoe Skyline, Snowdon Skyline and the Thorxtri triathlon in Norway. I also wanted to spend as much time as I could in the hills in Torridon and Achnashellach.
"Over the last four years I have been working out a route similar to the difficulty of the other big rounds in Britain such as the Ramsay Round and so the idea of The Martin Moran Round was born."
© Dan Bailey
The Martin Moran Foundation was established in memory of Lochcarron guide Martin Moran, and provides funded adventure programmes for young people who may not have the support and resources to access the outdoors.
"These were Martin's local hills, he knew them better than anyone and shared them with many of us throughout his life" said Robin.
"Martin spent lots of time investing in the community he lived in, especially in the young people. Hearing about his adventures and reading his books has inspired me to push and challenge myself even further in my love for hill running."
- You can make a donation to the Foundation on the Martin Moran Round page on Justgiving
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