West Highland 95 / WHW Race Route

The West Highland Way Race, first run in 1985, is one of the most celebrated ultra-distance events in Britain — 95 miles from Milngavie to Fort William along the full West Highland Way in a single continuous effort. The race route is identical to the standard West Highland Way but is covered at racing pace — the course record is around 14 hours; most runners take 20 to 35 hours.

For independent runners the "WHW Race route" simply means the WHW done non-stop in one push — usually with a support crew. The challenge has a distinctive atmosphere compared to the multi-day walker's version: the same spectacular landscape but experienced in a focused, sleep-deprived blur from Milngavie to Fort William.

The West Highland Way Race follows the standard West Highland Way route in its entirety — 95 miles from Milngavie to Fort William via Conic Hill, Loch Lomond's eastern shore, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and the Devil's Staircase to Kinlochleven and Fort William.

The race uses Milngavie as the start (1am in June) to allow runners to cross Rannoch Moor in daylight and arrive at Fort William in the following evening.

Start: Milngavie. Train from Glasgow Queen Street.

Finish: Fort William. Train on the West Highland Line to Glasgow.

The West Highland Way Race entry is by ballot and limited. For independent attempts: support crew access at all the same points as the multi-day route.

Best time: June for maximum daylight.