Runner & Support Crew Guidance

This guide contains operational details, logistical instructions, advice, and event schedules.

When: Friday, 18 June 2027, 21:00 – 23:00.
Where: St Joseph’s RC Church Hall, Milngavie (opposite the train station).
Advice: Register as early as possible to avoid queues. Please vacate the hall immediately after check-in to reduce crowding.
Goody Bag & Shop: Collect your goody bag (including your finisher garment and buff) and pre-ordered merchandise.

Drop-off Point: Milngavie Station car park.
Deadline: 22:45 sharp on Friday evening.
Available Locations: Balmaha (mile 19), Rowardennan (mile 27), and Beinglas Farm (mile 42) only.
Notes: Bags are not returned after the event. Do not pack poles or liquids.

The trail is well signposted, with supplementary fluorescent race arrows at key junctions and checkpoint turns:

Rowardennan to Inversnaid: Follow the High Route (the Low Route is closed due to forestry operations). The route is signed and mirrors the Highland Fling course.
Tyndrum (Mile 53): Turn right at the road before By The Way campsite, follow the pavement past the Real Food Café, cross at the pedestrian pelican crossing, and rejoin the path at Brodies Stores.
Glencoe (Mile 71): Fork left towards the Glencoe Mountain Resort / Ski Centre car park for the checkpoint. Rejoin via the ski access road down the hill.
Kinlochleven (Mile 81): Follow the route past the Blackwater Hostel/Ice Factor directly into the Leven Centre.
Glen Nevis (Mile 93): Remain on the main Land Rover track following signs for Braveheart car park down to the road. Do not take the forestry footpath turn-off.
Finish (Mile 95): Nevis Centre, Fort William. Follow signs past the railway and bus terminals to the indoor finish hall.

Crew Sizing: We suggest having at least one dedicated crew member for the first half of the route, expanding to two from Tyndrum onwards.
Town Courtesy: Keep vehicle noise and conversation to an absolute minimum during night-time hours, particularly when passing through Drymen, Kinlochleven, and Fort William.
Paid Parking: Pay-and-display machines apply at multiple council and forestry car parks along the route (including the Nevis Centre). The race vehicle permit does not waive parking charges.
Tyndrum Parking: All race traffic must use the Muthu Hotels car park on Lower Station Road. Avoid using customer spaces at the Green Welly, Real Food Café, or By The Way for extended race parking.
Bridge of Orchy Parking: Park exclusively in either the SportScotland car park (before the hotel) or Forestry and Land Scotland car park (just past the hotel bridge). Do not drive up towards the railway station.
Kinlochleven Checkpoint: Held indoors; a maximum of two crew members per runner are permitted inside the hall at any time.
Tracking: GPS trackers should be carried in an external pocket. Live tracking links will be published before race day for family and friends.

Hydration Strategy: Drink to thirst to protect against exercise-associated hyponatremia (water intoxication).
Eye Protection (“Cloudy Eye”): Prolonged exposure to wind and weather can induce corneal edema (cloudy/blurred vision). Running with clear lenses or sunglasses is strongly advised.
Jewellery & Swelling: Remove all rings from fingers and toes before starting the race to prevent circulation constriction due to peripheral swelling.
Intermediate Aid: Non-crew aid stations provide water, soft drinks, and snacks (details updated on the race website).

Nevis Centre: Hot showers, split printouts, tea, and coffee are available for runners and crew inside the venue.
Prizegiving: Sunday at 12:00 noon in the Nevis Centre. Finisher goblets are awarded individually. If you cannot attend, inform finish marshals to collect your goblet in advance.
Post-Race Drinks: Informal celebratory gathering from 19:00 on Sunday evening at The Great Glen (104 High Street, Fort William).

Merchandise: Online store orders open in late May at westhighlandwayrace.com/shop.
Entry Requirements: Entries open each October. Entrants must have completed at least 90 miles across no more than two qualifying off-road ultramarathons (within official cut-offs) during the qualifying window.