Trail runner raised nearly £800 for Breast Cancer UK

Callum Frew, from Milton of Campsie, completed the challenge from Inversnaid to Bridge of Orchy along the West Highland Way.

The 26.5-mile route included more than 3000ft of ascent—roughly the height of a Munro.

After completing the challenge on July 26, Callum has been able to take part in the vital funds raised whilst struggling with a few aches and pains.

Callum said: "I'm definitely feeling it, but I finished the route, so I'm really happy about that.

"It was quite overcast when I started, but as the day progressed, it got nicer, and I ended up getting sunburned, so I can't complain."

Callum Frew took on a 26.5m trail run to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK (Image: Breast Cancer UK)

Callum finished the run in six hours and 46 minutes and has so far raised almost £800, surpassing his original goal of £500.

He said: "I'm happy with that time, and I'm mega pleased that I managed to raise so much money for Breast Cancer UK.

"It's almost £800 and keeps going up; my initial target was £500."

Callum, who works in a coffee shop, decided to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK after hearing about just how many people have been affected by breast cancer.

Callum said: "I usually do a fundraiser run every year.

"This year, after talking with customers and family and friends, I've come across so many situations where people have been affected in some way by breast cancer.

"I decided that would be the fundraising cause for this year."

Callum Frew took on a 26.5m trail run to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK (Image: Breast Cancer UK)

Callum began the day at 6.30am before travelling to the start line.

The route was designed using AI to allow for five pit stops reachable by car, with Callum and his girlfriend Hazel pre-checking them.

Callum said: "We mapped the stops along the way so that I could refill my water bag and get some food.

"It worked well as I ran out of water only once along one of the sections, so that was pretty good going.

"You can't really trust AI.

"It's just sort of like a guide.

"We had to edit a couple of stops, especially one at Bein Glas car park, which was my first checkpoint after Inversnaid.

"From there to Drummond, I only had one stop because if I was to drop down into Crane Lana, it would have been an extra 23 miles, going back down, having a stop, then back up; we cut that one out."

Callum Frew took on a 26.5m trail run to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK (Image: Breast Cancer UK)

Among Callum's supporters was his mum, Hazel and her friend, along with their two dogs, Sam and Storm, who were unable to join the run due to the distance between stops.

For Callum the support of his pit crew was crucial.

He said: "I want to give a shout out to Matt, Charlie, Hazel, Gemma, my mum and everyone who helped along the way.

"Because if I was just doing that alone, I would not have done it at all because some of that route was brutal.

"Their support was what I needed.

"Being able to start, refuel, take a few minutes' rest and then start going again was invaluable.

"Everyone was so very, very encouraging, especially when it was starting to get brutal."

Callum Frew took on a 26.5m trail run to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK (Image: Breast Cancer UK)

Although the elevation was less than the 4600ft he expected, the route still included more than 3000ft of climbing, the height of a Munro.

Callum said: "I was expecting more, so I suppose that's a good thing, and there was still some hefty climbing.

"The section from Inversnaid to the first checkpoint, which was just past the Falls of Falloch, wasn't necessarily steep, but it was mega technical with roots and rocks, and I was constantly going up and down."

Trail running is Callum’s preferred style of endurance challenge.

He said: "I enjoy that sort of stuff because I want to challenge myself and push my boundaries a bit.

"I'd rather run up a Munro or up hills in the middle of nowhere, as it's softer going, even though it's more uphill and technically the terrain is more difficult.

"I'm used to jumping about in nature, and I go to the gym and do some boxing.

"I did a five-miler up the Campsie Fells, which is where I live. I like just anything outside in trees, rivers, and forests.

"And it's always good to raise funds for great causes at the same time."

Donations to Callum's fundraiser are still being accepted via: https://tinyurl.com/3srfa9w6.