Race Rules and Runners Guide: West Highland Way Race

Race Rules
West Highland Way Race

West Highland Way Race – Provisional Race Rules (2027 Event)

These rules are provisional and will be updated as the 2027 event is fine-tuned. Final race rules will be published in May 2027.

1. Sporting Conduct & Authority

The West Highland Way Race is an event that welcomes runners and crew into the West Highland Way Race Family. The race promotes and values community cooperation and fair play.

• Respect & Fair Play: All participants must behave respectfully towards the environment, other participants, local communities, and event staff.
• Disqualification/Exclusion: The West Highland Way Race Organisation reserves the right to exclude from the race any participant whose behaviour may affect the management and/or proper functioning of the event. In such cases, the athlete is not entitled to a refund.
• Safety & Marshals: Instructions from Race Officials, Marshals, the Race Safety Officer, Medical Team, or Race Director must be obeyed immediately and without exception. Their decision on runner safety and continuation is final.

2. Registration & Identification

• Photographic ID: Photographic ID is mandatory to collect your race number.
• Support Crew Permit: One member of the runner’s support crew must attend registration to receive their mandatory vehicle permit.
• Race Numbers:
  • Race numbers must remain visible on the runner’s front at all times, worn over clothing.
  • Medical and emergency contact details must be written on the reverse of the bib.
  • Support runners must wear the designated support runner number and transfer it if swapping runners.

3. Cut-off Times, Checkpoints & Retirement

• Timing & Cut-offs: Electronic timing is used at all checkpoints. Cut-off times are strictly enforced. Arriving even one second after the cut-off results in withdrawal from the race (e.g., Beinglas at 12:00:00 is permitted; 12:00:01 is withdrawn).

• Sweeper Rule: Remaining runners must depart checkpoints before or with the sweep team (within 15 minutes of checkpoint closing). Anyone unable to leave within 15 minutes of closing will be withdrawn.
• Retirement Protocol: You must notify the nearest checkpoint timer and return your tracker and SI-Card. If retiring between checkpoints, call Race Control immediately.
• Force Majeure: In the event of circumstances beyond reasonable control, race management reserves the right to stop, pause, or re-route the race.

4. Mandatory Kit & Equipment

Kit checks may be carried out at any time. Failure to comply may result in penalties or immediate withdrawal. These rules apply to both runners and support runners.

• Carried at All Times:
  • Emergency foil blanket.
  • Fully charged mobile phone programmed with emergency numbers:
    • Race Safety Officer: 07768 642314
    • Race Control: 01397 470070
  • Waterproof jacket with taped seams.
  • Minimum 250ml water.
  • Spare food.
  • Working head torch with spare batteries (crew may carry this during daylight hours).
• “Bad Weather” Protocol: If invoked by the Race Director, full waterproof trousers, hat, and gloves must be carried on your person for the remainder of the race.
• Self-Sufficiency & Muling: Runners must carry their own mandatory kit at all times. Support runners are strictly forbidden from carrying runner kit (no muling).
• Poles:
  • Poles are strictly prohibited during the first 4 miles (prior to the public road after Carbeth Huts).
  • Poles must never be placed in drop bags.
• SI-Card & Tracker: The SI-Card must be dibbed at all checkpoints. Loss or failure to return it incurs a £30 fee and a potential future race ban.

5. Support Crews, Support Runners & Vehicles

Support crews are part of the tradition and fun of the West Highland Way Race and can make the difference between finishing and not finishing even for experienced runners.

We recommend that you have a crew made up of at least one person for the first half of the race and at least two people for the second half. 

You are allowed to have a support runner from Tyndrum (53 miles) onwards provided you arrive later than the published time (11 hours)

The race may be able to help those travelling from overseas with sourcing a crew. 

For 2027 there are some changes to support crew requirements.

1. It will no longer be mandatory to have a crew to take part (though we strongly recommend using a crew)
2. Crews will only be allowed to meet you in designated support zones
3. There will be no mandatory crew check-ins. You can choose which of the permitted support zones your crew will meet you at
4. It will not be mandatory for a crew member to attend registration
5. You must register your crew details in the lead up to the race in order to receive your support vehicle permit

• Declaration Form: Runners must submit contact details for their crew via the official declaration form by 6:00 pm on the designated Friday deadline.
• Prohibited Support Zone: Crews must not meet runners along the A82 between Beinglas Farm and the gate at Bogle Glen (Crianlarich).
• Vehicle Restrictions: Large motorhomes are prohibited from travelling to Rowardennan, Auchtertyre, Lundavra, or Bridge of Orchy.
• Support Runner Timing Restrictions: No support runners are permitted before Tyndrum. Support runners may only join if the runner leaves checkpoints after the following times:
  • Tyndrum: After 11h 00m race time (12:00 pm)
  • Bridge of Orchy: After 12h 00m race time (1:00 pm)
  • Glencoe: After 14h 45m race time (3:45 pm)
  • Kinlochleven: After 17h 30m race time (6:30 pm)
  • (If ahead of these split times, crew may only accompany a runner within the marked support zones
• Support Runner Competence: Support runners must be self-sufficient, able to complete the section unassisted, carry their own kit, and adhere to all race official instructions.

6. Environmental, Community & Medical Prohibitions

• Litter: Zero tolerance. Discarding litter on the trail results in disqualification.
• Conic Hill: Runners must stay strictly on the reinforced path; running on grass is prohibited and marshalled.
• NSAIDs: The use of Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Diclofenac is prohibited due to the risk of acute kidney impairment and may lead to disqualification.
• Earphones: Must be removed at checkpoints, road crossings, when approaching marshals, and on all public roads.
• Dogs: Dogs are strictly prohibited from accompanying competitors or support runners at any point on the course (event insurance requirement).
• Alcohol: Prohibited inside the Nevis Centre and its associated car park.