0:00:00 > 0:00:01We cut short from Lunn Da-Brha, took the shorter road down,
0:00:01 > 0:00:01because they were felling trees.
0:00:28 > 0:00:34My legs are saying "stop", but the mind is saying "no chance".
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Hello and a very warm welcome to The Adventure Show.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This month, we're taking in the majesty of west Scotland, from
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow all the way to Fort William.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48This is the one and only Ronhill West Highland Way Race.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51They're looking great. You're looking really strong.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53That's because the end is near.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55The race is 95 miles long.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58That is three and a half marathons
0:00:58 > 0:01:00nonstop and back-to-back.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05So, however you look at this, it's one long, tough race.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08The big challenge is in the head, it's keeping going.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11It's keeping putting one foot in front of the other time after time.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13When it hurts, keeping going.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Then it's going to hurt more than that and they still have
0:01:16 > 0:01:18to keep going.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20The action starts in the dead of night when all the pubs
0:01:20 > 0:01:23are closed and most people are nicely tucked up in their bed.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27But our competitors are now gathering to do a race
0:01:27 > 0:01:30that will take most people a week to walk.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32There's quite a bit of ascent and descent.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35About 15,000 feet across the whole route.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Some very runnable bits,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40but it is pretty constant.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43And just being out for such a long time takes its toll on the body.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Our course record is just over 14 hours.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48It is still a long time for anyone to be out and there are
0:01:48 > 0:01:50people right up to 35 hours going to be out there.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54That was tough, that one. At least you're going downhill for a while. Aye!
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Also in this month's Adventure Show,
0:01:57 > 0:02:01we're investigating the medical issues of extreme exercise.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03People get overloaded with water.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06It makes you susceptible to swelling of the tissues,
0:02:06 > 0:02:07most notably the brain.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10At the extreme end, you can succumb from this.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14In spite of that, I'm girding my loins in another gruelling
0:02:14 > 0:02:19training session in preparation for the Braveheart triathlon.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21And Duncan is discovering that you can have
0:02:21 > 0:02:25a fantastic adventure even when the weather is atrocious.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28You really have to concentrate on this stuff.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34But first to the West Highland Way Race.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37It starts at one in the morning, with the best runners finishing
0:02:37 > 0:02:42this incredible 95-mile race in around 14 to 15 hours.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Others will be running for 35 hours.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47That is a whole day and a half.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Evening, folks, I'm sure we've got another fantastic race ahead.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Statistically, if you are standing here ready to run tonight,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56you've done the hard bit because most people drop out of this
0:02:56 > 0:03:00race before it starts than get here and don't finish.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02So remember that when it gets tough later on.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07I know it is going to be absolutely awful and worse than that.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11I've watched people over the last two or three years coming in
0:03:11 > 0:03:14in different states and I've seen what they're coming in like
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and I'm intrigued just to what I'm going to be like.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22They talk about hallucinations. I'm dying to see what I hallucinate.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24You go through fantastic highs,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26terrible lows.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And if you put one foot in front of another you eventually do
0:03:29 > 0:03:33something that you thought was impossible.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35It is actually my wedding anniversary today and I've
0:03:35 > 0:03:38spent it down here getting ready to run.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40I'll see my husband tomorrow at Beinglas!
0:03:40 > 0:03:44The route starts here in Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47It heads north to Drymen and the first ascent over Conic Hill.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Then it is along the shores of Loch Lomond through Tyndrum
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and on to Bridge Of Orchy.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Here the hard work really starts.
0:03:56 > 0:04:0020-odd miles over Rannoch Moor and up the Devil's Staircase before
0:04:00 > 0:04:03a taxing descent into Kinlochleven.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06But there is a sting in the tail.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10A demanding 14 final miles before the finish line at Fort William.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15So with just a few seconds to go, these runners now face 95 miles
0:04:15 > 0:04:20of some of the roughest, most rugged terrain in the Highlands.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22A fantastic race,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26a great event and the heroes will be all who take part and finish.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28So this is it, no more time for training,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30preparation or second thoughts.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33KLAXON BLARES
0:04:33 > 0:04:35So with head torches on, the race is underway.
0:04:35 > 0:04:4015 hours for the fastest, 35 hours for the slowest.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44This is an incredible event requiring great skill
0:04:44 > 0:04:45and determination.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Up they go up the steps out of Milngavie.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53CHEERING
0:04:53 > 0:04:57They've got a few miles up through towns and houses and then into
0:04:57 > 0:05:03the long drag into the wilderness - a long, dark night of running.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Entries to the West Highland Way Race are restricted to 200 folk.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And, as usual, there is a full house.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15This is one of Scotland's most prestigious events.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20Many come back year after year and it is about far more than
0:05:20 > 0:05:23running nonstop for 95 miles.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25In 2005 I missed the race because
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I had a brain haemorrhage,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31but I was back in 2006, a year later,
0:05:31 > 0:05:35to tick the box of being back to full health.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40In 2013, I was diagnosed with mouth cancer.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45In 2014 I was back again to race for the 10th time.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48It was something that kept my head up all the way through
0:05:48 > 0:05:52treatment and I'm back again for the 12th time.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Running the race is a celebration of health,
0:05:56 > 0:06:02fitness and love of friends and just to be here with everyone.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The West Highland Way Race is addictive.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Adrian Stott from Edinburgh has finished a staggering 14 times.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13If he completes it this year, he will be the joint record holder.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15West Highland Way is just a magical event.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18As someone who has always been drawn to challenges,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20and trying to get out of my comfort zone,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23the intensity of trying to do it in the time limit is fascinating.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25See you shortly. OK.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29When you are running, especially in the hills and in the mountains,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32you just suddenly realise that time is going by and you are
0:06:32 > 0:06:35tapping into something really deep inside of yourself and when
0:06:35 > 0:06:37you tap into that energy inside yourself,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39it's like when you're seven years old and your mum
0:06:39 > 0:06:42had to drag you in because you wanted to play out all night.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45You have to try and engender that attitude of being a little child.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Running these sort of distances,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49you just realise how small you are in this universe.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52The oldest competitor this year is 70.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Rob Reid lives at the halfway point of the race and takes an
0:06:56 > 0:07:00unusual perspective of the first 53 miles.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02I like to think of this event as being a race
0:07:02 > 0:07:05that starts at Tyndrum,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and, by the way, I've got to get to Tyndrum first.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12I will jog gently along to get to Tyndrum to start the real race.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15It's just something that I do for fun. It's like holidays.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17It's the build-up to it, the anticipation.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20It's something you are looking forward to for weeks and
0:07:20 > 0:07:22weeks and weeks. Then it is the enjoyment afterwards.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25It's something to talk about and share experiences with other people.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29It is fun. Enjoy the sunrise. Barely need the head torch. Hello.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31THEY LAUGH
0:07:31 > 0:07:34I'll see you later. Well done.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Most of the runners have now completed the first segment of
0:07:39 > 0:07:43the race and have passed the village of Drymen.
0:07:43 > 0:07:4512 miles down, a mere 83 to go.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47I just built up to it gradually.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50So I've built up from 10ks to half marathons,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54marathons and thought that the ultra marathons were crazy,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58and it was only super, super fit human beings that could manage it.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Then, I decided to try one and thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06You never know what kind of adventure lies ahead of you.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I know this trail like the back of my hand now, so it will be nice to
0:08:09 > 0:08:11not have to think about navigation
0:08:11 > 0:08:13or anything like that and
0:08:13 > 0:08:17just focus on running steady and not going off too fast.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Running steady and running a smart race.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23So much depends on your mental state of mind as well.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27If you let yourself be affected by different factors,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30it's amazing once you start struggling, you lose time so fast.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Time seems to move in a different way.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38People say there's times when you get low and you come through that.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41I've got to keep that in the back of my mind that it may be tough
0:08:41 > 0:08:45but if I keep going and maybe have to slow down, maybe walk a bit,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48and then hopefully I'll regain some strength and feel better.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50But, I think you have to recognise, it is the same for everybody
0:08:50 > 0:08:53whether you are at the front or at the back of the race.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54It's going to be tough.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59I'm just a short distance along the course, ready to greet
0:08:59 > 0:09:02the first competitors as they arrive at Conic Hill.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06By now they will have completed almost 15 miles and for some,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08this would be the end of a half marathon.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12But these guys and girls, it's just the warm-up.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13At the moment,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17very little separates the leading runners in this international field.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21American Kris Brown, is currently out in front, but he is
0:09:21 > 0:09:23closely followed by Scottish athletes
0:09:23 > 0:09:26James Stewart and Alistair Gray.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30With Adam Zahoran from Germany in fourth place.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34I'm the German champion of six hours running and 100km running,
0:09:34 > 0:09:39but mostly I run on tarmac asphalt roads and flat,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43so I don't have too much experience in hills.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48So I don't know what I can run. I am bit afraid, a bit nervous.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53Spectacular, huh? It is amazing, are you enjoying it? Oh, yes, for sure.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57And you have come over from America? You bet.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Just to do this race? You bet. Fantastic.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Hal Koerner from Oregon has competed
0:10:03 > 0:10:05in over 100 ultra marathons
0:10:05 > 0:10:08and stood on the podium more than 90 times.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10So it is not surprising
0:10:10 > 0:10:13he is one of the favourites for today's race.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16I love ultra running and I love to be able to run in the
0:10:16 > 0:10:18mountains for hours on end. That was life for me.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Adding a little competition to that,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24getting to see some new places, meeting great people,
0:10:24 > 0:10:31and just the accomplishment of it all is really hard to replicate.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Addicting to a certain degree as well.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Currently out in the lead for the women, Lizzie Wraith is
0:10:39 > 0:10:42just 19 minutes behind the fastest man.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44And she is in 11th place overall.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47How are you doing? Good, thank you.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50You are doing fantastically. Thanks.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53I'm not really aiming for a time, I'm just looking forward to
0:10:53 > 0:10:57getting out in the mountains with a group of like-minded people.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00It is a fantastic running community here in Scotland.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04I just think that I race better when I go out there with the
0:11:04 > 0:11:06attitude of trying to enjoy it.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Let's see what happens, it's just running. What will be will be.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14If I put too much pressure on myself I don't think I run at my best.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Morning. Well done, you are doing great.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18Cheers, thank you.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21And every single runner in this event is competing not only
0:11:21 > 0:11:25against each other, but also against themselves.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27I was trying to beat 19 hours last year,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31I felt really good until about a mile out of Balmaha.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36I took a really bad fall, came down really heavy on my knee.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39It was so painful I could hardly even stand on my leg, but my
0:11:39 > 0:11:43first thought was get moving, if I don't move it's going to stiffen.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45So I just started walking on it.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47As the pain eased slightly,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I started to get my speed up.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52As long as I ran, the pain numbed.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55So last year was a bit of a disaster time-wise
0:11:55 > 0:11:59but I got my finish, so last year I got a decanter.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02After ten, when you do your tenth you get a decanter.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04So I wasn't going home without that decanter!
0:12:05 > 0:12:0915 miles down, only another 80 to go.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11The frontrunners are making really great progress,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14and most of the field are still to come through here. We'll be back
0:12:14 > 0:12:16on the West Highland Way shortly,
0:12:16 > 0:12:20as the racers settle in to the many, many hours running ahead of them.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23It's going to be a long couple of days.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35The West Highland Way Race started over three decades ago.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39It all began when runner Duncan Watson laid down a challenge
0:12:39 > 0:12:42to the well-known athlete Bobby Shields.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45They created the race we know today.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49We met up with Duncan near his home in the Monadhliath mountains.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Back in '85, the mud was really quite oppressive.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I mean, there was thigh-deep mud.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00I remember pulling Bobby out of a hole.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01On the other side of Conic Hill.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04He was right up to his waist.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09Well, that's all now been nicely barred and stepped.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13There was no steps on the far side of Conic Hill, that was really...
0:13:13 > 0:13:17We were on our backsides most of the time, coming down the hill there.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22We cut short from Lunn Da-Brha, took the shorter road down,
0:13:22 > 0:13:24because they were felling trees.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30And the tracks, you're talking two or three miles shorter, probably,
0:13:30 > 0:13:37but that would be counteracted by the underfoot conditions.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Both Duncan and Bobby had run the route before,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43and completed it in under 20 hours.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47But racing against each other brought in extra pressure.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51At the bottom of the Devil's Staircase, Allt-na-feadh, I said,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53"Look, I'm feeling really bad!"
0:13:53 > 0:13:55And he said he was feeling really bad as well, so, I said,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58"Why don't we make it a joint effort, right? Eh?
0:13:58 > 0:13:59"And really dig in here. Because we could
0:13:59 > 0:14:02"help one another rather than work against one another."
0:14:02 > 0:14:05So we shook hands, and that was it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10Together, the pair reached Fort William in 17 hours and 48 minutes.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14And Duncan's now run the West Highland Way over 15 times,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17often doing it solo.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22He's now 73, and in spite of some recent medical problems,
0:14:22 > 0:14:24he still runs every day.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Because I was raised in central Scotland, son of a butcher,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32we ate a lot of red meat and pies and all the bad things
0:14:32 > 0:14:34before I started running.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Then when I started running I changed my diet totally.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Bad living resulted in some build-up of stuff in an artery,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44so they put a stent in and I was running the next day.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Running in countryside like this,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51it's just... It just gives me a big high.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56The guy said if I hadn't been so fit I'd probably have been dead 30 years ago.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Yeah, I guess running's given me that!
0:15:01 > 0:15:04I actually only finished the race twice.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06But I haven't got a goblet yet, now.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Next year, do you think?
0:15:08 > 0:15:12And if Duncan does decide to compete again next year,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16he'll almost certainly be the oldest person to take part in the race.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Right now, though, we're taking a break from running,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29because Duncan McCallum's got his very own challenge,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33that should test him to the limit on a wild, wet and windy day.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I'm here in the west coast fishing village of Mallaig.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39The bike's all lubed, it's all pumped up,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and I'm ready for a bit of a biking adventure. But,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45although there are some fantastic trails in the hillside around here,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47I'm looking for something just a little bit more special.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52I'm here to meet Billy Simmonds, and we're going to head up Loch Nevis
0:15:52 > 0:15:54into the best scenery in Scotland,
0:15:54 > 0:15:55to look for some of the most
0:15:55 > 0:15:57inaccessible mountain biking in the country.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00And you can only get there by boat.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Hey, Billy! Duncan! Pleased to meet you.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Wow, I was expecting something a bit bigger than this!
0:16:08 > 0:16:11She's fit for purpose. You'll be surprised what this wee ship can do.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Billy Simmonds spent 25 years as a trawlerman,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17but recently decided to put that behind him
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and do something he's passionate about.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23'It was a big decision to take. It was a big gamble to take, too.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26'A big risk. I was secure, I was good at what I did.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30'I knew where I was going. But it was just consuming my life.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33'My life was just becoming about making money.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36'So I just decided I wanted to make the change and
0:16:36 > 0:16:40'do something I wanted to do in life, not what I had to do.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43'I was always projecting myself 15 years into the future.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45'What am I going to be like? What am I going to be doing?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48'Am I just going to be wandering up and down the pier?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50'Because the fishing is hard. It accelerates your age.'
0:16:50 > 0:16:52You have to think of your wellbeing, too.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56So I thought, where do I want to be in 15, 20 years' time?
0:16:56 > 0:16:57Is this what I want to be doing?
0:16:57 > 0:17:00So I just wanted to build something unique to me.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Billy's a highly talented mountain biker,
0:17:03 > 0:17:05so he set up an adventure sports company.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08But one with a difference.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Using his boat, he's able to get right off the beaten track.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Just over an hour after the trip began,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18he and Duncan are now in the heart of Moidart.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21So where do we go from here? I can see there's an old ruin
0:17:21 > 0:17:23just there at the bottom of the glen.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26We'll exit to the left of that,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28and we'll pick up a meandering stalker's trail.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30It's really steep!
0:17:30 > 0:17:33It's gonna test you, it'll test most people.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Three quarters of the way up, you're going to be wishing you
0:17:35 > 0:17:37hadn't done it. But once we get to the top,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39it's going to be a different story.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42We're escaping from this horrific weather.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44The weather chooses us.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Too philosophical for me!
0:17:46 > 0:17:50This is Scotland. So is this the start, now, of the hike-a-bike?
0:17:50 > 0:17:55Yes, that's us. That's as far as we're going to pedal at the moment.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57We've got our 500 metre hike-a-bike.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Don't kid yourself, this is mountain biking.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Shanks's pony on your feet is the preferred way,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05it's the most natural way,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08so entering the mountain bike, it's another challenge.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11And it's just so rewarding on the opposite side.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Once we start coming down these descents,
0:18:15 > 0:18:16it's the feeling of freedom.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Nearly there, Duncan. Nearly there. Can you feel it?
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Oh, I can, the wind... You can feel the... The atmosphere.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24The wind has changed,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27and there's a wee drop of pressure or something, it's different.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29It's this last few metres,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32you can really feel that the summit's coming.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35To engage in this sort of wilderness,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37you're out here, you're by yourself,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39you're basically on your own,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41and you've got to get out here on your own.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43So, compared to what you're going to
0:18:43 > 0:18:45experience in most places in Scotland,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47it's well up there.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49What I would love to do here is just spend a bit of time on my own,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52and you're planning to shoot off and meet us at the bottom?
0:18:52 > 0:18:57My plan is to abandon yous, and I'll get the grub ready down there.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Just ride it, gently, don't get too carried away.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03There's a few bits where you can go over the bars.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06I don't think I'm going to hang around here too long,
0:19:06 > 0:19:07because it is really cold.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10I think this is a careful-as-you-go one.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Oh, man, oh, man!
0:19:16 > 0:19:20As an adventure bike ride, this is something else.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23It's really tough.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Eight of ten for commitment,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27nine out of ten for adventure,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31ten out of ten for being in an extraordinary place.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37You really have to concentrate on this stuff.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46A fat bike like this floats on top of all the mud
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and the dirt...
0:19:50 > 0:19:53..and through the water, but it's heavy.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59They were originally designed for riding in snow,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03so you wanted a tyre that would float above the snow.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08But it also works really nicely for Scottish bogs and water
0:20:08 > 0:20:12and sand and on horrible slidey conditions, and on rock,
0:20:12 > 0:20:17where a tyre would normally just sit on the rock and skip off.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20It's quite remarkable how grippy it is.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27Huge disadvantage going uphill, because the resistance is so much.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29On the descent it's really good.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Way-hey!
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Ha! Oh...
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Oh, dear. Poor Duncan. Pride before a fall, and all that.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44This is a bike ride Duncan is not likely to forget in a hurry.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Oh, I have to say, the top part of that
0:20:49 > 0:20:52in the weather was something else,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55it really was tough. I went over the handlebars,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57fell in a ditch,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00walked lots of it.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02But now, this last bit,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06coming down into the village is absolutely beautiful.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10This is an amazing, amazing place.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14And this is an incredible adventure bike ride.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18And we'll be joining Duncan for more off-road adventures
0:21:18 > 0:21:20later in the series.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22But after Moidart, they'll have a lot to live up to.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Hiya. Welcome back to the West Highland Way Race,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35where the sun is just beginning to rise.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38And what a beautiful view it is for the competitors,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41as they race down past Conic Hill.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Oh, Loch Lomond, we love you.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45So, do you guys know this route already?
0:21:45 > 0:21:46Have you done this race before?
0:21:46 > 0:21:51I did this last year. It's kind of like childbirth!
0:21:51 > 0:21:54I know what it's going to be like, but still back again!
0:21:56 > 0:21:58I ran with a couple of girls from my running club last year,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and we stayed together for the first 50 miles
0:22:01 > 0:22:03and chatted!
0:22:03 > 0:22:05It's like a day out!
0:22:05 > 0:22:06Some people have wine, coffee, cake.
0:22:08 > 0:22:09We just ran.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Our club, Stonehaven Running Club,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14there's a lot of people in the club do ultras,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and we've all been sort of gradually pulled into it,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18supporting each other and gradually
0:22:18 > 0:22:20getting a bit further and a bit further,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22doing longer races each year and
0:22:22 > 0:22:26most of my friends have now done it, so I have to!
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I have to try.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29Are we nearly at Fort William?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Well, here's the bad news.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34There's just one or two miles still to go.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Right now, there's the rugged,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39wooded shoreline of Loch Lomond to negotiate,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41followed by an ascent of the north end of the loch.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46It's 6.40 in the morning, and American runner Kris Brown
0:22:46 > 0:22:47is still in the lead.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Can't sneak up on me like that, man!
0:22:49 > 0:22:51How's it going? It's fine.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Enjoying it? Yeah, I hear it's beautiful.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Just eight minutes behind,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59James Stewart from Croy is now in second place.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01How are you feeling?
0:23:01 > 0:23:02Yeah, not too bad.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Not too bad.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Worth it for this view.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09The third to complete this section
0:23:09 > 0:23:11is the German six-hour and 100km road champion
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Adam Zahoran.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Enjoying it?
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Ha-ha-ha! This section, not really, no!
0:23:17 > 0:23:20'It will be a tough race for me,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24'I will just try to do my best and be as fast as I can.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27'I tried to find my own pace.'
0:23:27 > 0:23:32I shouldn't be tired, physically or mentally, before 80, 90km.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Just after it.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37The front racers are now starting to spread out.
0:23:37 > 0:23:4040 minutes after the first man through,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Alistair Gray from Helensburgh is in fourth place.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45How are you feeling? Great!
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Good time. Getting there.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Slowly but surely.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52It's the first time he's tackled this distance.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55But that challenge is not the only reason he's running today.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59He's also doing this for a member of his family.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03My aunt is blind and when I'm out in these places, you know,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06I do think myself quite lucky to be able to experience fully the
0:24:06 > 0:24:07landscapes that I'm kind of going through.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11And I often think of my aunt and people like her who just don't
0:24:11 > 0:24:16have that same... That same experience that I have.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19So it is an emotional thing for me, moving through these landscapes
0:24:19 > 0:24:23and knowing that they'll never quite see it the way I do.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26But that's not to say that blind people don't experience them,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30it's just they do it in a different way, so my aunt, for example,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34can sense when things are tall or when things are big or heavy,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38just through, I suppose, a kind of subconscious osmosis and quite
0:24:38 > 0:24:41often when I'm running, if you shut your eyes for just half a second,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44you can smell the fields or you can smell the path and the trees,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48or these things that you forget when you can see as well as we can.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52In the women's race, the competition is heating up.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Lizzie Wraith from Bath is still in the lead.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57You're doing great!
0:24:57 > 0:25:01But just five minutes behind her is Morgan Windram-Geddes.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04She grew up in America, but now lives in Fife.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Second-place lady, how are you feeling?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09OK. Quite good.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13No-one, apart from our poor camera person, is lingering here.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17The Scottish problem is out in force.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Here you go, you'll like this.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23This is the midges who've committed suicide on my
0:25:23 > 0:25:27telephone screen, for some reason.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Ah, loving it!
0:25:29 > 0:25:33The ones that eat you are making up for the ones that you eat.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Hello, again. Hello. How're you doing?
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Brilliant, these midges are great!
0:25:38 > 0:25:39Keep us running faster.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Further up the course,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45there's bad news for two of the American runners.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Hal Coroner suffered an injury and has had to withdraw.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53And Kris Brown, who was leading the race, has taken a wrong turn.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56It's going to cost him precious minutes and will be
0:25:56 > 0:25:58a real psychological downer.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03That means Scotland's James Stewart has moved up into first place.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07He's spent many hours of training on the West Highland Way,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11but his success as an ultra marathon runner is recent.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13It's actually almost happened overnight.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16I was OK at ultra until about December 2014
0:26:16 > 0:26:21when I brought on a coach and he's just lifted me to the next level.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23It's kind of hard to believe yet because I'm, like,
0:26:23 > 0:26:2640 years old, which is quite neat as well,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29because it shows you're not too old to do something quite cool.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31It's certainly looking cool for James today.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33But as he pounds into Bridge of Orchy,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36he knows Adam Zahoran's not far behind.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39I came up through that section quite quick. You did, you did.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42But just watch your way, you're way ahead of schedule, so...
0:26:42 > 0:26:44I need to be though.
0:26:44 > 0:26:45OK, good luck. Cheers.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Less than 15 minutes later, Adam makes it to this checkpoint.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52This is where support teams are vital.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Want it tighter?
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Er... I don't know.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01He was meant to be a little bit insecure about the technical
0:27:01 > 0:27:07aspects of the trails, so he didn't want to risk getting injured,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10and that was a little bit mentally stressful for him.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13It's a big adventure for him.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17He said, "I have no idea how I can deal with it."
0:27:17 > 0:27:2111 minutes later, Kris Brown has now dropped into third place.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24His mistake has cost him over half an hour.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Well done. Well done.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28You know, it really is easy to underestimate the extreme
0:27:28 > 0:27:30nature of this challenge.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Despite enjoying a bacon roll or two,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35I consider myself to be a fairly fit individual.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38But the idea of keeping going at a decent pace for the best part
0:27:38 > 0:27:41of two days...just fills me with horror.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45And when you look at these competitors, they look like everyday people.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50But there must be something going on in here, something that keeps them
0:27:50 > 0:27:54going when their body is screaming at them, "Stop!"
0:27:56 > 0:27:59If you've never run that far, it's scary.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01You don't know what the body's going to do,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04you don't really have experience of race conditions.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Like, yeah, you go for your training runs and you eat some stuff and
0:28:08 > 0:28:12drink some stuff, but you try and put a bit of speed behind it and
0:28:12 > 0:28:16the wheels fall off and you get upset and you say
0:28:16 > 0:28:19you'll never do it again and you think
0:28:19 > 0:28:22two days later, "No, I can do better."
0:28:22 > 0:28:25And so you start again and around you go.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30When I am going through a bad patch in the ultra, I make sure
0:28:30 > 0:28:33that I take some fuel on board, because often, that might be part of
0:28:33 > 0:28:37the reason, you're just running low on energy, and often I just tell
0:28:37 > 0:28:42myself, the faster I keep running, the faster I'll get through it.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45So it's definitely just being strong in your head
0:28:45 > 0:28:47and not giving in to the pain.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Still leading the field for the women,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Lizzie Wraith is having an amazing run.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54She's now in fourth place overall.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56It's getting warm now.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03There's a nice breeze. It's kind of perfect, really.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Good luck.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Meanwhile, Morgan Windram-Geddes is just over ten minutes behind.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Although they've covered over half the distance,
0:29:11 > 0:29:15they're still nearly a marathon-and-a-half ahead.
0:29:15 > 0:29:16Second lady, well done.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20How you feeling? I'm all right. Knees are sore. Knees are sore.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23All those downhills. Are they giving you water on one?
0:29:23 > 0:29:27What else do you want in the other? Just half-and-half. OK.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Just keep eating as much as you can.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Morgan, especially at the start of the race, just doesn't eat,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35so she's been eating a little bit, because she lost weight at
0:29:35 > 0:29:37the first checkpoint and we had to get her to eat, so, yeah,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41we've just been trying to get her to eat as much as possible.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Just keep walking and eating, yeah.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45You're OK. CLAPPING
0:29:45 > 0:29:48The third woman and 15th overall is experienced ultra runner
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Lorna McMillan from Glasgow.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53And after nearly 60 miles,
0:29:53 > 0:29:55she looks like she's been out for an afternoon stroll.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Hiya. Hi, Lorna, how're you feeling? So you're going to eat then, aren't you, Lorna? Because...
0:29:59 > 0:30:00Not too bad, not too bad.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04Glad to be getting the miles behind me. It's getting quite warm out there.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Yeah, it's good. You're doing well. Looking forward to the next half?
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Well, about a mile and a half up the hill, I'll get a Jelly Baby
0:30:10 > 0:30:12in Jelly Baby Hill, so I'm looking forward to that.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14I think I'm getting an orange one, so I'm delighted.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Apparently I've got to eat these and I'm not sure I feel like it.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Thank you, Carol.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23The leaders have now passed the Glencoe Ski Centre and are
0:30:23 > 0:30:26starting up the aptly named Devil's Staircase.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Ahead is a gruelling 1,000 feet of ascent.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Very tough now.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Two big hills coming up, so...
0:30:34 > 0:30:37The last I heard, I had a 14-minute lead,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40so I can go quite easy.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43So I've got to stay disciplined and focus.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48And I've allowed for my pace to walk up this hill.
0:30:48 > 0:30:55There was four guys who went off like hunting dogs at the start.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58There's no way I would go with them.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Because you know that it's going to come back to you.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07But I managed to kind of get back in the lead at Bridge of Orchy.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10And I've just been slowly building it since then.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11Take it easy.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Yes, this is really good.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16As James heads up to the top of the Staircase,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Adam's now starting the ascent.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20How is your race going?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Yeah, it's pretty tough to be honest, but it's lovely scenery.
0:31:24 > 0:31:29But I have to admit, I'm looking forward to finishing.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34On the other hand, I'm a geologist, so it is a paradise for me.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Oh, it's time for a walk.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43This race is now beginning to take its toll on everyone.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46And Kris Brown, who took a wrong turn before Bridge of Orchy,
0:31:46 > 0:31:48is slipping down the field.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53That means Lizzie Wraith has moved up into third place.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Physically, she's putting in a fantastic performance.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58But as a sports scientist,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02she knows success depends on far more than fitness.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06I definitely think ultra running is a lot in your mind.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Often, everything in your body is telling you to stop and
0:32:09 > 0:32:13it's your mind that has to be strong enough to keep you going and keep
0:32:13 > 0:32:17pushing and I always just try and tell myself to keep putting one foot
0:32:17 > 0:32:20in front of the other, every step is a step closer to Fort William.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23So, yeah, it's definitely mind over matter.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26I think that ultra runners are a bit strange.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28We probably do enjoy the pain of it.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Maybe not at the time, but certainly retrospectively.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35There's something about pushing your limits and overcoming your fears
0:32:35 > 0:32:38that's really satisfying in ultra running.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Someone else who's having a great race is Australian runner,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44Jacob Tangey, who now lives in Edinburgh.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48At the Glencoe Ski Centre, he was lying in seventh place.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Now, he's moved up to fourth.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53How's things, mate? How's things with you?
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Oh, yeah.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57They're getting better! They're getting better, are they?
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Every step! And now you're in fourth place.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Apparently so.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04No, it doesn't matter in this race. Everybody's equal.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Come one, come all and enjoy the fun!
0:33:07 > 0:33:09As the sun blazes down on the runners,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12that isn't as easy as it sounds.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Morgan Windram-Geddes is just a couple of minutes behind Jacob
0:33:16 > 0:33:21and after a childhood spent in America, she's used to the heat.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24But this is one of the most brutal sections of the race.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25It's really hot.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29But it's OK, there's a nice descent after the climb.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32That's good.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Did you expect to be this far up, or...? No, I didn't.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41But I just held back a bit at the start, didn't go off like a maniac.
0:33:42 > 0:33:43But I just held back a bit at the start, didn't go off like a maniac.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46I think it paid off.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48For several miles,
0:33:48 > 0:33:52Morgan's been running alongside Guy Langdon from Bath.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54He's also finding things hard.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57I heard it was quite an easy race! HE CHUCKLES
0:33:57 > 0:34:00I don't know where I got that from, but I'm going to try and
0:34:00 > 0:34:04find out who told me that and have a word with them.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06This is the hardest thing I've ever done.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Is that good at this stage of the race to have somebody to run with?
0:34:09 > 0:34:13It's nice, yeah. You know somebody else is suffering right with you.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19Everyone's been on the go for over 12 hours and exhaustion
0:34:19 > 0:34:21is setting in.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Racers like this push the human body right to the limit
0:34:25 > 0:34:29and with this comes a whole range of medical issues.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31Some of which can be life-threatening.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35Chris Ellis is a local GP who became aware of this event when
0:34:35 > 0:34:38he was brought in to treat competitors in difficulties.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41In 2005, this race happened,
0:34:41 > 0:34:43unbeknown to me, I'd never heard of it,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46and only became aware of it following some admissions to
0:34:46 > 0:34:48the local Fort William Hospital.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52It was apparent that a phenomenon was happening that had been
0:34:52 > 0:34:54described in literature from events elsewhere,
0:34:54 > 0:34:58reflecting something that was first identified in South Africa in 1985.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03The issue, Exercise Associated Hyponatraemia, or EAH,
0:35:03 > 0:35:08is still little known about and is incredibly serious.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12The best way to identify it is by monitoring competitors' weight.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14People get overloaded with water,
0:35:14 > 0:35:17which has a diluting effect on the body salts and makes you
0:35:17 > 0:35:20susceptible to swelling of the tissues,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23most notably the brain, and adverse consequences that go with that.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25And those adverse consequences are?
0:35:25 > 0:35:29There are many, but the most recognised spectrum would be early
0:35:29 > 0:35:33swelling of the brain associated with waterlogging might make
0:35:33 > 0:35:36you confused and then you might progress on to having some
0:35:36 > 0:35:41seizures or fits and then if it's ongoing, you become unconscious
0:35:41 > 0:35:43and then at the extreme end, you can succumb from this.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48The critical thing that was identified in South Africa,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51that hormone produced by the master hormone gland,
0:35:51 > 0:35:55the pituitary gland up in the brain, which makes you hang on to water,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58assumes higher levels, say, at about four hours of exertion.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00That's not very long - I mean,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02four hours is a reasonably long bike ride,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05or a marathon that you run slowly, or a hill walk.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Certainly, we have seen this phenomenon of low sodium in
0:36:08 > 0:36:11slower runners, so the likelihood of it happening increases
0:36:11 > 0:36:13the longer the event goes on.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Now, I'm not saying that everybody who runs ultras or events
0:36:17 > 0:36:20exceeding four hours is subject to this phenomenon of producing
0:36:20 > 0:36:25this hang-on-to-water hormone, but that's the underlying basis of it,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28in conjunction with drinking water without really thinking about it.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Hi! Hello.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35We are now in a very, very hot day, and the traditional advice was,
0:36:35 > 0:36:39drink a litre of water every 45 minutes.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Are you saying that is now not the correct advice?
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Definitely - drinking by the clock or trying to stay ahead of the game
0:36:45 > 0:36:49is not generally advocated and that thirst is as good a guide
0:36:49 > 0:36:52as any, with regard to your fluid requirements.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55And if you'd like to find out more about Dr Chris Ellis's work,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58and what else is going on on The Adventure Show,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01as ever, follow us on Facebook.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04The lead runners have now made their way up and down
0:37:04 > 0:37:06the Devil's Staircase, and with its battering descent,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09it is one of the toughest parts of the course.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13However, what remains is a 15-mile drag into Fort William.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16We'll be back shortly to see how they are getting on.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24You may have gathered by now
0:37:24 > 0:37:26that I've signed up for the Braveheart Triathlon -
0:37:26 > 0:37:3056 miles on the bike and a half marathon up and down Ben Nevis.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33But it is the swim that fills me with fear.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Now, 1.2 miles swimming in Loch Linnhe might not seem much
0:37:38 > 0:37:42to you, but for me, it's horrendous,
0:37:42 > 0:37:45worse than the run and the cycle put together.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50I'm definitely not feeling particularly brave at heart!
0:37:51 > 0:37:54So, I've come to Loch Venachar in the Trossachs to meet up with
0:37:54 > 0:37:57my training guru, Sean McFarlane. Hi there. How are you?
0:37:57 > 0:37:59I'm not bad, how are you?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02I can't explain to you enough just how worried I am about this!
0:38:02 > 0:38:05I'm not joking. The swim is really filling me with fear.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07What are we going to do today?
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Well, today, we'll start off with a short swim in this area here.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12It's quite shallow, you can see the bottom.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14There's a few boats around, it's quite a safe area.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Have a look at your stroke, see how you're getting on,
0:38:17 > 0:38:19then we'll go for a longer swim.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23A big thing that you need to quite soon develop is an ability
0:38:23 > 0:38:25just to swim the distance.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27We've been swimming 500 metres or so -
0:38:27 > 0:38:29you've got to do four times that amount.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Right, cold water response.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33Aah!
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Oh, that's quite cold!
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Immediately, I can't breathe.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48'I'm concerned about open water, the fact it's dark
0:38:48 > 0:38:51'when you look down, you can't really see the bottom.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55'My breathing is not great and when I'm not breathing properly,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57'I tend to panic.'
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Oh! Come back towards us.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03'My endurance isn't great.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07'So, when I start getting really tired, it affects my breathing.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09'If it affects my breathing, I panic.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12'So, panic is my biggest problem.'
0:39:12 > 0:39:13How are you feeling?
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Fine.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17In that temperature... Hold on.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Ohh! Actually, not fine.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Not fine at all!
0:39:24 > 0:39:27That temperature is... Quite fresh!
0:39:27 > 0:39:33Well, but Loch Linnhe is going to be at least that cool. Yeah. OK?
0:39:33 > 0:39:35We'll get this done, we'll get this done... Yeah, yeah.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38There's obviously work to be done. Uh-huh. OK?
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Right, Dougie, let's keep you in shallow water,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45so you can see the bottom, so let's swim round here,
0:39:45 > 0:39:50nice and comfortable, you can see the bottom, and then come back, OK?
0:39:50 > 0:39:52'In terms of managing the swim,
0:39:52 > 0:39:53'psychologically it's a big challenge,'
0:39:53 > 0:39:56there's going to be lots of ups and downs.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59I've had swims before when my goggles have come off, been snapped
0:39:59 > 0:40:02off in the first 50 metres, and that could happen, hopefully not.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04So, there is a whole load of things that could happen, and it's all
0:40:04 > 0:40:07about coping with those and getting through the swim efficiently.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09How are you feeling?
0:40:09 > 0:40:11HE COUGHS Terrible! OK.
0:40:11 > 0:40:12Cold.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Not breathing properly.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Just the usual!
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Let's swim back to this point here, same again,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23just work on our rhythm, work on trying to relax as much as possible.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Stop fighting the water.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28And you're still in the water, you've not come out yet,
0:40:28 > 0:40:30so there is, hopefully, progress there.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Jeez!
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Hard, isn't it?
0:40:37 > 0:40:38Argh!
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Got ice cream head.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Once we get going, hopefully it'll be better.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47But I feel cold and I'm trying to,
0:40:47 > 0:40:51because I'm not breathing well, I'm trying to avoid panicking.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54I'll be fine. Do you want to get in the skiff, we'll go for a swim?
0:40:54 > 0:40:57'Always the optimist, me!
0:40:57 > 0:41:00'But now it's time to see how I cope with a much longer swim.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04'While it's not as long as it will be in the Braveheart Triathlon,
0:41:04 > 0:41:07'it's further than I've attempted before.'
0:41:07 > 0:41:08There's a little bit of chop here,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11but this could well be the conditions in Loch Linnhe.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13I've swum in Loch Linnhe maybe ten times, at least,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15and it's almost always like this.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17So this is good.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Chop, OK.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21It's not easy to get a breath.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Where are we going?
0:41:26 > 0:41:29'Swimming is a very unique sport,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32'in the sense that it's the one discipline where you swim
0:41:32 > 0:41:35'with other people who are potential Olympic swimmers.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38'He swims mainly at Stirling University swimming pool -
0:41:38 > 0:41:40'there are people there that are going to Rio.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42'And he tells me a lot how it's demoralising,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46'but you mustn't compare yourself to other people like that.'
0:41:47 > 0:41:51I've never actually swum with quite as much chop in the water,
0:41:51 > 0:41:55and you think you get into a rhythm,
0:41:55 > 0:41:57and then you turn - pfff!
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Get a mouthful of water, and then you swallow it,
0:42:00 > 0:42:02and then you inhale it.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Oh, dearie me! Right, off we go.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12'When I started swimming,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14'I was swimming and breathing every third stroke.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16'Now I've discovered, I don't quite know why,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19'but I'm breathing every second stroke on the left-hand side,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22'and I'm doing OK and I'm feeling quite comfortable,
0:42:22 > 0:42:23'but of course, in the pool,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26'you can see the black line and you know exactly where you're going.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30'In open water, I'm swimming like a big banana, it's horrible!
0:42:30 > 0:42:32'And when I try and sight, when I try and look up,
0:42:32 > 0:42:34'it affects my breathing.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37'I know you have to look up all the time
0:42:37 > 0:42:39'so you know you're going in the right direction.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42'But that really worries me as well, that scares me that
0:42:42 > 0:42:46'when I sight, I lose my rhythm and it all goes to pot.'
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Well, how was that?
0:42:48 > 0:42:49It was...
0:42:52 > 0:42:56..uncomfortable, cold,
0:42:56 > 0:42:58my sighting is clearly a big issue,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01my breathing is clearly a big issue.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05The biggest thing I want to avoid is swimming twice the length -
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I need to, on the Braveheart,
0:43:07 > 0:43:11and I'm worried that I'm swimming all over the place.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Oh, God! I need to put it all together.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15How are you feeling about biking 56 miles
0:43:15 > 0:43:17and running up and down Ben Nevis now?
0:43:19 > 0:43:21When I'm out the water...
0:43:21 > 0:43:22I'll be happy to do anything!
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Just get out of the water!
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Ohh!
0:43:27 > 0:43:29'I really, really want to do this.'
0:43:29 > 0:43:31But there's a cut-off in the swim,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34and if I don't make that cut-off and I'm yanked out of the water,
0:43:34 > 0:43:38put in the boat and I can't carry on, that would break my heart.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Welcome back to The Adventure Show.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51We are now 80 miles up the route here in Kinlochleven.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54It's been ten hours since the start and the first runners should be
0:43:54 > 0:43:56coming through soon.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59He's led since Bridge of Orchy, and James Stewart is still out in front.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Well done, James. Cheers!
0:44:02 > 0:44:05It's been a tremendous effort, not just for him,
0:44:05 > 0:44:07but for his whole support team.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11This race has attracted some of the world's best runners,
0:44:11 > 0:44:14and no-one, least of all his dad, underestimates the competition.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16It is a world-class field, and to be honest,
0:44:16 > 0:44:19we still don't know what he's capable of.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21He's getting stretched every race he goes into now.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24There is more and more better athletes and he's known now,
0:44:24 > 0:44:27they know what he can do, they come out looking for him now.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30He does have a very good German on his heels.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32How does he cope with that?
0:44:32 > 0:44:35James will stick to his own thing until it becomes apparent
0:44:35 > 0:44:37that Adam's sitting on his shoulder.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40If that becomes apparent, then he'll move out.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42Cheers.
0:44:42 > 0:44:47Adam is now less than six minutes behind, so the pressure is mounting.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49It would be a tremendous achievement
0:44:49 > 0:44:53if he could win his first off-road ultra.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56He went so well over the Devil's Staircase, but right now,
0:44:56 > 0:44:58he's looking really tired.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02As he came now, he had energetic problem,
0:45:02 > 0:45:05so he had a little too less glycogen,
0:45:05 > 0:45:09and if he takes a gel and a cola,
0:45:09 > 0:45:11it normally takes about five minutes
0:45:11 > 0:45:14and everything is fine again.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17So, would you see him wanting to do more and more adventure races
0:45:17 > 0:45:20if he likes being out in a very wild place?
0:45:20 > 0:45:23We will talk after the race, I don't know.
0:45:23 > 0:45:28But it's very impressing, how close he is at the local champion.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30Very strong head!
0:45:31 > 0:45:33WHOOPING AND CHEERING
0:45:33 > 0:45:37These first two runners are now over an hour ahead of everyone else.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Back on the Devil's Staircase, American Kris Brown,
0:45:41 > 0:45:45who was in the lead before he went the wrong way, is struggling.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong!
0:45:48 > 0:45:51I just, uh, felt like I was really for it.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53The views from the Devil's Staircase are amongst the best
0:45:53 > 0:45:59in Scotland, but after 13 hours of racing, this hill is a real test.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01It's a long one, this one!
0:46:01 > 0:46:03Yeah, everybody's said that. Yeah.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06Not a lot of runners, I'm guessing, up this hill.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09It's been... It's been a great day.
0:46:09 > 0:46:10My support crew...
0:46:12 > 0:46:13..I owe them big time.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15Cos they are saving me!
0:46:15 > 0:46:18It's too hot for a boy from Ayrshire, this!
0:46:18 > 0:46:19Feeling it now!
0:46:21 > 0:46:25Last leg, so we're in for a few hours of hard work.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29The man with the camera, eh? Just what you want to see!
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Just looking my best, I'm so sure!
0:46:32 > 0:46:35The third woman up the Staircase, Lorna McMillan,
0:46:35 > 0:46:38is just over 20 minutes behind her nearest rival,
0:46:38 > 0:46:43and in spite of the smile, even she is finding the going tough.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46Beginning to feel it now.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Looking forward to a few hours' time, when it's all over!
0:46:49 > 0:46:51Hopefully get a glass of wine in hand.
0:46:53 > 0:46:54But a great day for it.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Yeah, the things that keep you going, eh? Glass of wine.
0:46:57 > 0:47:01Well, yeah, it's my birthday today, so I think I deserve one.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04Wow, what a way to spend your birthday!
0:47:04 > 0:47:07You're not the first person to say that.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10Right, cheers, thank you very much.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12It's four in the afternoon.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14Everyone's been on the go for 15 hours.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17But most are having a great day out.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20It's such a beautiful race, and it's the challenge of trying to
0:47:20 > 0:47:26get the time that you want, so I'm hoping to do under 20 hours today.
0:47:26 > 0:47:30The views are just simply stunning. But oh, boy, it's tough!
0:47:30 > 0:47:33The terrain's relentless.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37And today, obviously, it's particularly hot.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40So, it's not something you can train for, typically, in Scotland.
0:47:40 > 0:47:46It's, er, one of those tough challenges that when you do it,
0:47:46 > 0:47:47you think, "Never again!"
0:47:47 > 0:47:50But the day afterwards,
0:47:50 > 0:47:53you just reflect on just how magnificent it is.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56It's just... It's Scotland!
0:47:56 > 0:47:59This is one of the best parts of Scotland you can go through.
0:48:00 > 0:48:05It's always been a dream of mine to run this race.
0:48:05 > 0:48:10And this is my first time, so I'm on cloud nine just now.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12And I'm trying to run with a smile on my face.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14And my good friend Fiona Reilly, who runs in my club, said,
0:48:14 > 0:48:16"Don't worry if the smile is not on your face,
0:48:16 > 0:48:18"because it will always be in your heart."
0:48:18 > 0:48:20So I try to keep remembering that.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23And I've ran it with this man the whole way.
0:48:23 > 0:48:24Never say die!
0:48:24 > 0:48:30Aye! That's our little quote that's kept us going, "Never say die!"
0:48:32 > 0:48:36Meanwhile, way out in front, James Stewart's race is nearly over.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38There's just two miles to go
0:48:38 > 0:48:42and it looks like he's heading for his first West Highland Way victory.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46Doing amazing. How are you feeling? Hot. But it's over soon.
0:48:47 > 0:48:5015 minutes behind him, Adam Zahoran from Germany
0:48:50 > 0:48:53is making sure his support team is ready to greet him
0:48:53 > 0:48:57when he completes this off-road ultra marathon.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00Currently in the lead for the women and in third place overall,
0:49:00 > 0:49:03Lizzie Wraith is approaching the final checkpoint.
0:49:03 > 0:49:05It's seven miles south of Fort William
0:49:05 > 0:49:08and from here, there's just one last hill
0:49:08 > 0:49:10before the descent to Glen Nevis
0:49:10 > 0:49:13And the finish in Fort Bill itself.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16How are you doing, Lizzie? How are you doing? I'm all right.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19You're doing all right? Excellent. You're looking great.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22My goodness, and off she goes.
0:49:22 > 0:49:25I don't think we'll try and chase her, because we wouldn't catch up.
0:49:25 > 0:49:2988 miles into the race, big smiles on the face and off she goes.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31She looks in really good form.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34Can you consider, started at one o'clock in the morning.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38The time now is 5:25 in the afternoon, Saturday afternoon.
0:49:39 > 0:49:40Wow, she's looking good.
0:49:40 > 0:49:44Fourth overall in the race is Jacob Tangey.
0:49:44 > 0:49:4738 years old. Runs for the Dumfries Running Club.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49Lives in Edinburgh. Australian.
0:49:49 > 0:49:53And Jacob looks in not bad condition, either.
0:49:53 > 0:49:56He had some real difficulties building up for this race,
0:49:56 > 0:49:58had problems with his ankles.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01But he's looking good just now.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03Jacob, how are you doing? Are you feeling all right?
0:50:03 > 0:50:04Erm...
0:50:05 > 0:50:08..that's a yes and a no. Yeah.
0:50:08 > 0:50:09Good to be nearly there. Yep.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12But it's been a long day.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Feeling a bit sore? Mm-hm.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17Only seven miles, though. Single figures now.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19I think it's six. Right, OK.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22We'll say five. That's even better.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26Good try, Jacob.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28Perhaps we'll settle for somewhere in between.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32Whatever the final distance, one thing's for sure...
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Jacob's on form today and has the experience to keep going
0:50:35 > 0:50:38when he's desperate to give up.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41The mind controls what the body does.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45So if the mind gets upset that the body is hurting a lot,
0:50:45 > 0:50:47it can just say, "No more."
0:50:47 > 0:50:51But if you run through it, then your mind is mentally prepared,
0:50:51 > 0:50:54it knows it can overcome these sort of things.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57So you hope that it'll get better.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00And that's the mind saying, "We know this could happen.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03"Just keep going and you'll get more energy
0:51:03 > 0:51:05"or the terrain will change
0:51:05 > 0:51:07"or the sun will come out
0:51:07 > 0:51:10"or you'll see somebody that's supporting you that you love,
0:51:10 > 0:51:13"you'll get a hug, you'll gain encouragement."
0:51:13 > 0:51:15And it's just like...
0:51:15 > 0:51:17a deep breath and off you go.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21And it's like, "OK, we're back to the grind again. Let's keep going."
0:51:23 > 0:51:27This is Morgan Windram-Geddes from the Fife Athletic Club.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31Really fantastic performance from her. 34 years old.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34This is the second woman. Fifth overall in the race.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37Having a wee walk up to the checkpoint.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39How are we doing? Good, yeah.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41You're looking good, huh? Thank you.
0:51:43 > 0:51:44Not long to go now.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47No. It was quite a climb out of Kinlochleven.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51Was that the sore bit? Yeah.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03Well, you can really see that that is hurting a lot.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05Sheer will and dedication and determination
0:52:05 > 0:52:06getting her through now.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11When we got to Glencoe, she was really, really struggling.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14She just said, "My knees are sore. I just want to stop."
0:52:14 > 0:52:16And that's the time we just have to keep saying,
0:52:16 > 0:52:18"We'll decide at the next checkpoint."
0:52:18 > 0:52:20And then she keeps going and then she felt fresh.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23She felt, actually, really good at the next checkpoint
0:52:23 > 0:52:25and now she's struggling again.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28But she's good. She'll get there.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32As Morgan battles over the last few painful miles,
0:52:32 > 0:52:34James Stewart's race is over.
0:52:34 > 0:52:3715 hours, 15 minutes and 59 seconds
0:52:37 > 0:52:40after setting off from the start line,
0:52:40 > 0:52:42he's the first to finish today.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45But as Deziree waits to congratulate him,
0:52:45 > 0:52:48he's got other things on his mind...
0:52:48 > 0:52:51I'm just going for dinner. I just wanted to say congratulations.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53Pizza and beer. That's all I want to see.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55Fantastic run. Thank you so much. Well done. Thank you.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58You still look really fresh. How are you feeling?
0:52:58 > 0:53:01I don't look anything like how I feel, if I'm being honest with you.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03How do you feel? Erm...
0:53:03 > 0:53:05Yeah, that was tough.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08That last 14 miles was the toughest effort I've ever had to run.
0:53:08 > 0:53:13Because Adam was chasing me down, four minutes behind at Kinlochleven.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16And in old Scottish parlance, I had to put the gutty down.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19But I did it and it's...
0:53:19 > 0:53:23It'll take a while to sink in, but I'm absolutely over the moon.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25CHEERING
0:53:25 > 0:53:28It's his first-ever off-road ultra marathon.
0:53:28 > 0:53:30He's never been to Scotland before.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32He's had no chance to recce the terrain.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35But just 16 and a half minutes later,
0:53:35 > 0:53:38Adam Zahoran crosses the finish line to take second place.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40What an achievement.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42It was a better placement.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45I'm absolutely satisfied and delighted
0:53:45 > 0:53:49that I could be the second on there.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54First real trial of my life.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58Seven, or for the more optimistic, six miles further back,
0:53:58 > 0:54:02the third woman is approaching the final checkpoint.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05This is Lorna McMillan, birthday girl. That's fantastic.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08# ..birthday to you
0:54:08 > 0:54:12# Happy birthday, dear Lorna
0:54:12 > 0:54:16# Happy birthday to you. #
0:54:16 > 0:54:18CHEERING
0:54:18 > 0:54:20Hi again. How are you doing? Good, thanks.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22Hello. How are you doing? right? I'm all right.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25You're looking great. Thank you. I'm feeling fantastic.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Are you really? Well, kind of. It's only six miles to go.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30Exactly. You're looking really strong.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32Thank you very much. It's home straight.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35Have you been smiling for the last 17 hours, though? No.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38Yes, you have! I've been happier than I was last year.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41I ran it last year and had a pretty terrible time.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44Have they got a cake at the finish for you? I hope so.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47We've got champagne.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49Right, I'm going to head.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52Have fun. We'll see you at the end.
0:54:52 > 0:54:53Oh, thank you.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Have fun. Good on you. Good effort.
0:54:56 > 0:54:57Well done, Lorna.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59It's quite extraordinary,
0:54:59 > 0:55:01when you see different people going through this checkpoint,
0:55:01 > 0:55:05where their mind-set is after 89 or so miles.
0:55:05 > 0:55:06Quite amazing.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09Lorna clearly very happy to be going onto the home straight here.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11Others, hm...
0:55:11 > 0:55:13They're worried about this last bit of running
0:55:13 > 0:55:16and they're trying to put their mind into the place
0:55:16 > 0:55:17to get them over the line.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20But Lorna, happy birthday. She's happy. She's great. And strong.
0:55:20 > 0:55:21Amazing.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25And what a great run Jacob Tangey is having.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27He's overtaken Lizzie Wraith
0:55:27 > 0:55:30and is now racing down Glen Nevis to the finish.
0:55:30 > 0:55:3417 hours and 37 minutes after setting off this morning,
0:55:34 > 0:55:37Jacob's race is nearly over.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40Just the last few steps to the finish line...
0:55:40 > 0:55:41That's it.
0:55:41 > 0:55:45He's had a tremendous day and finishes in third.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48Fantastic achievement. You must be thrilled. Yeah. Yeah.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52It was tough, but I was able to run most of the way,
0:55:52 > 0:55:53except up the hills.
0:55:53 > 0:55:57But there are a lot of long sections.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59It seemed like parts weren't going to finish.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04Lizzie Wraith is just five minutes behind Jacob.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07She's not just the fastest woman on the course today,
0:56:07 > 0:56:09but she's in fourth place overall.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12What a truly amazing run she's had.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16I know you must be exhausted, but a phenomenal achievement.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19Thank you. Really well done. You must be absolutely thrilled.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21Yeah, I'm really happy. That was tough.
0:56:21 > 0:56:25And think there was a girl close behind, so it was a good race.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Well done.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29Nearly there. Thank you.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32Second to Fort William for the women is Morgan Windram-Geddes.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35She's the fifth fastest today
0:56:35 > 0:56:38and has been on the go for 18 hours and eight minutes.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40Unbelievable.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43I'm really happy that I'm here, but I'm shattered.
0:56:43 > 0:56:44The last...
0:56:44 > 0:56:47I didn't realise how many climbs were on the last leg, actually.
0:56:49 > 0:56:53And the heat was quite bad. But, yeah, it was an amazing day.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55It really was.
0:56:55 > 0:56:56Really happy with my time.
0:56:58 > 0:57:00And here comes the birthday girl.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03Lorna McMillan, 41 years old today
0:57:03 > 0:57:08and a fantastic time - 18 hours, 23 minutes and 33 seconds.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11I think there'll be plenty of celebrations tonight.
0:57:11 > 0:57:16I had a little hope in my mind that I could get around about 19 hours.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19So to come in at, like, 18...
0:57:19 > 0:57:22I think it was 18:23, yeah, I'm absolutely delighted.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Yes, it was a big surprise.
0:57:24 > 0:57:27So confirmation of those final results...
0:57:27 > 0:57:30For the men, Jacob Tangey came in third
0:57:30 > 0:57:34in a time of 17 hours, 37 minutes and 50 seconds.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36Second place went to Adam Zahoran
0:57:36 > 0:57:38in 15 hours, 32:27.
0:57:38 > 0:57:41And taking the top spot was James Stewart,
0:57:41 > 0:57:46with his great time of 15 hours, 15 minutes and 59 seconds.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49For the women, in third place was Lorna McMillan,
0:57:49 > 0:57:53who completed the race in 18 hours, 23:33.
0:57:53 > 0:57:58Second was Morgan Windram-Geddes in 18:08:20.
0:57:58 > 0:58:00But 26 minutes ahead of her,
0:58:00 > 0:58:03Lizzie Wraith was the fastest woman on the course today,
0:58:03 > 0:58:07with a time of 17 hours, 42 minutes and 27 seconds.
0:58:11 > 0:58:13Well, that's it for this month's Adventure Show.
0:58:13 > 0:58:15Congratulations to everyone who took part,
0:58:15 > 0:58:18the organisers and the support crews, as well.
0:58:18 > 0:58:19Truly extraordinary.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21Next time around, we'll be back in Fort William
0:58:21 > 0:58:23for the Braveheart Triathlon,
0:58:23 > 0:58:26when it's me who's going to be put through their paces.
0:58:26 > 0:58:28Looking forward to that, I'm supposed to say.
0:58:28 > 0:58:30Until then, from all the team, thank you so much for your company.
0:58:30 > 0:58:32Bye for now.