Angus ultra runner Angie Mackenzie is making the final preparations for her biggest challenge to date on Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way.
Just five years after taking up running, Forfar’s Angie will pass her 21st marathon/ultra milestone when she lines up this weekend for the gruelling 95.28 miles of the Milngavie to Fort William challenge – more usually enjoyed by walkers at a much gentler pace through the magnificent highland landscape.
After a 50th birthday and silver wedding anniversary year in 2015 which saw Angie take on cycling and running challenges at home and as far afield as Vietnam, the Dundee-based COPD practice nurse is continuing raising money for a new Highland hospice, a cause close to her heart for the care family members have received there.
The WHW race gets underway at 1am on Saturday June 18, with a 35-hour time limit to complete the course – the record for which stands at an astonishing 14 hours and 20 minutes.
Angie’s participation is a pioneering step for Forfar Road Runners, who have previously had male runners in the event but she is the first club female to take on the challenge.
She said: “It is 95 miles with a 14,760 foot elevation and some quite technical sections along the side of Loch Lomond.
“Support runners are allowed after 51 miles and my team have been really great during my preparations for the event.
“The WHW race will be my 21st ultra/marathon since doing my first marathon at Loch Ness in September 2012.
“Training has gone very well and I have done the D33 Ultra and the Hoka Highland Fling Ultra, whichj is 53 miles over the first half of the WHW, as part of my training.“
“After my year of challenges last year I decided to keep my just giving page open for the biggieand people can donate at www.justgiving.co/Angie-Mackenzie1 or text BAKU49 £5 (or other amount) to 70070,” she said.
With the Hoka Fling already under her trainers and the WHW race on the near horizon, Angie also has her sights set on August’s 43-mile Devil of the Highlands event to complete the ‘triple crown’ prized by the country’s ultra runners.
