The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus vet’s gruelling run all in a good cause
Challenge: Gavin’s ultrarunning expedition stretched 250 miles from Cape Wrath to Fort William
An Angus vet has taken his personal challenges to new heights after completing the gruelling Cape Wrath Ultra challenge.
Gavin Durston, 48, of the Thrums Veterinary Group, completed the eightday ultra-running expedition from Fort William to Cape Wrath, covering 250 miles and climbing 11,000 metres.
Out of the 177 runners from around the world who started the race, 40 retired, with Gavin finishing as the 22nd placed male.
The course took in some of the world’s most inspirational landscapes, including Morar, Knoydart, Kintail and Torridon.
It is virtually all off road and required a degree of navigation.
Gavin set himself the challenge of raising £1,000 for Bardetbeidl Syndrome (BBS), an extremely rare genetic condition which has varying symptoms such as blindness.
On his Justgiving page he said: “At the beginning of 2017, our vet nurse Ashley Wilkie’s little girl, Caitlin, was diagnosed with BBS.
“BBS UK is the only registered charity which supports children and families who are impacted by BBS.
“I have already forgotten the bad bits – the whole thing was wonderful and I am glad I did it. GAVIN DURSTON
“There are no cures for this but Professor Phillip Beales from Great Ormond Street Hospital is researching the condition in great depth, and may only be a few years away from finding a cure to prevent the blindness element of the syndrome.”
Gavin’s efforts through the Cape Wrath challenge have already raised £1,467 for BBS.
He added: “I have already forgotten the bad bits – the whole thing was wonderful and I am glad I did it. “There was a lot of navigation. “The scenery was amazing and the weather was good – if I saw a speck in the distance I knew what direction to go in.”
Caitlin’s parents Ashley and Liam said: “2018 has been overwhelming for us as family.
“In January we set out to raise £5,000 for Caitlin’s charity, BBS UK, and are sitting just over £41,000 including gift aid now.
“When Gavin decided to dedicate his next adventure to Caitlin and her cause, we were thrilled.
“Cape Wrath Ultra was a phenomenal achievement for Gavin and we loved following his progress daily.
“He raised a fantastic sum which will be going into the research.”
She explained gene therapy is hoped to slow down the rate or potentially stop the blindness element of the syndrome.
She added: “If a breakthrough is found this would be a fantastic achievement as most sufferers are clinically blind by their teenage years.”
After a short rest Gavin is now back training for the Glenmore 24-hour trail race in September.
jathomson@thecourier.co.uk