Colin runs Cape Wrath Ultra® in memory of tragic baby Harris
It was an emotional start for one competitor, Colin Campbell (no.104) today in Cape Wrath Ultra 2021. While the keen runner from Edinburgh was looking forward to getting going on the trail from Fort William to Glenfinnan, he also revealed the heart-breaking story of a charity that he is raising money for.
In 2010, friends of a friend, Tanya and Allan Ross, of Fort William, lost their 16-month-old child Harris to an aggressive and inoperable brain cancer. Following his death, they founded the charity, STAR for Harris, which raises awareness and supports treatment of childhood cancer.
With tears in his eyes, Colin, from Edinburgh, said: “I have a big motivation for doing the Cape Wrath Ultra because I am raising money for Star for Harris. The charity does a lot of good work and it means a lot to me to raise as much as I can by doing this race.
“It felt like the right charity to fund-raise for because it was founded here in Fort William.”
Allan came along with his young daughter to the pier in Fort William to wish Colin well. He said: “Colin is very kindly doing the Cape Wrath Ultra for our charity. It’s brilliant for us and an amazing thing he is doing. We will be following the tracker closely.”
Colin, who works for Progeny, is also taking part in an Olympic Torch Relay for other charitable causes. He said: “As a relay, people who work at Progeny hope to take the torch around the UK in aid of Progeny Foundation, which partners with a number of different causes, including children’s charites.
“I am doing leg one and taking it as far north as I can as part of the Cape Wrath Ultra.”
Colin Campbell is taking part in a charity Olympic Torch Relay, as well as raising funds for STAR for Harris. ©No Limits Photography
Colin: ‘Training has gone well’
Colin believes he is “as ready as I can be for such a race”. He aded: “I realised in 2020 that I really don't like being told to stay at home. Somewhere during the first lockdown, when we were only allowed out for an hour a day, I started to plan my escape and got the chance to enter the Cape Wrath Ultra.
“I was on the reserves list and then I got a call to say I had a place. I was delighted.
“The race was delayed to this month but that has worked well for me because it has given me more time to train and on warmer weather days. I have been able to take advantage of the longer days of summer to run in my local Pentland hills.
“I have done a few similar events but nothing as long as Cape Wrath Ultra. I'm in no doubt that this will be the biggest physical and mental challenge I have ever undertaken, so if I can raise a few pounds along the way for good causes, it will help me on to the finish line.
“I am also here to enjoy the event and the scenery. I am really looking forward to it.”
You can support Colin’s fund-raising at JustGiving: STAR for Harris.