David Parrish, a 35-year-old ultramarathon champion from Dumfries, has died while attempting to break the record for the Cape Wrath trail in the Scottish Highlands. The former Royal Marine was found in the remote Kintail area on Saturday at about 10.25pm after his tracking device indicated he had stopped moving. Police Scotland stated there were no suspicious circumstances and his next of kin have been informed.
Parrish, who won the Cape Wrath Ultra in 2023, was running the 234-mile route from Fort William to Cape Wrath unsupported to raise funds for Scottish Mountain Rescue in memory of his close friend Luke Ireland, who died from hypothermia in 2014. The current record holder, Pawel Cymbalista, expressed his shock, noting the route's risks due to few paths, boggy terrain, and isolation.
Kintail Mountain Rescue Team paid tribute to Parrish as an experienced hillgoer who died doing what he loved. Scottish Mountain Rescue described him as a generous and inspiring member of their community, with his fundraising efforts having raised over £15,000 at the time of reporting.
Parrish began running as a teenager and after leaving the Royal Marines, he became club champion with Dumfries running club in 2022. He also won the Dragon's Back race in Wales last September. His death has prompted safety alerts for those attempting similar challenges.
