A grandfather from Beaminster has become the oldest person to complete a gruelling 400km ultra race.

Tim Robinson, 64, teamed up with his son Will, 28, to race through the Scottish Highlands over eight days.

The father-son pair took part in the Cape Wrath Ultra, journeying from Fort William to the north-westerly point of Great Britain.

Out of a total of 172 competitors, the Robinsons were two of just 57 athletes to complete this year's race.

At 64, Tim was the oldest participant to finish the 2024 Cape Wrath Ultra.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Will (front) and Tim Robinson ran together at CWU 2024Will (front) and Tim Robinson ran together at CWU 2024 (Image: No Limits Photography)

Tim, a former Dorset GP, told of his experience during the race and the time spent with his son. along the way.

He said: “All in all, Will and I had an amazing time together on the Cape Wrath Ultra, away from the distractions of the modern, digital world.

"We were able to chat about life, reflecting on the past and thinking about the future, and looked after each other physically and mentally.

"We shared the wonderful scenery, and lots of laughs and amusements.

"There was soul searching, an amazing landscape, and wonderful organisation that thought of everything. And I met some great people."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Will (left) and Tim Robinson in action on day seven of CWU 2024 Will (left) and Tim Robinson in action on day seven of CWU 2024 (Image: No Limits Photography)

This year's race followed a route that links ancient footpaths and remote tracks through some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes, including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt and Sutherland.

There were no signs or waymarking to show the way and participants were required to use a combination of traditional navigational skills with a map and compass, supplemented by modern GPS technology if they wanted.

Each night, participants stayed in the event campsite, which was moved north along the route during the race by the organisers and volunteers.

Tim is an experienced runner, starting when he was 11 with his own father, and has completed marathons in the past, the last of which was in Athens in 2003.

He added: “My training started four weeks before the event and included four long runs of 15 miles ‘off road’.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Father and son Tim and Will Robinson completed CWU 2024 together

 

"I bought new trainers nine days before the event and took them on one long run. One of my fellow runners on the Cape Wrath Ultra said that I had torn up the rule book.”

Will, who also lives in Dorset, is an investment surveyor and is an experienced ultra-runner, having completed several major events.

In January, he ran the West Highland Way, which finishes close to the starting line of  the Cape Wrath Ultra.

He added: “It was absolutely epic. It was really special to spend that time with the old boy. He’s definitely young at heart.”

The 2025 Cape Wrath Ultra will take place from May 18-25 next year and entries will open on 31 May at www.capewrathultra.com.