Ultra-runner attempting to break 874-mile John O'Groats to Land's End record

NORTH Highland Harriers' Danny Miller and Mey resident Graeme Connelly officially witnessed UK ultra-running legend Dan Lawson leaving John O'Groats for Land's End earlier this week.

Lawson (44) is attempting to cover the 874-mile route in just nine days, each day running between 83 and 97 miles in an anticipated 16 to 21 hours.

The current record holder for the distance is Andrew Rivett who finished it in 2002 in nine days, two hours and 26 minutes.

In doing so, Rivett ran for an average of 18 hours per day.

In 2017, Lawson won a 250-mile race through the Gobi desert. He came fifth at this year's European 24-Hour Championships in Romania in May and has the fastest British time in the notorious Badwater Ultramarathon through California's Death Valley.

He has described himself as "practically" vegan, "give or take the odd lassi and butter on toast".

Talking to the Groat prior to setting off at 6am, he agreed that one of the biggest hindrances is getting to sleep each night.

Adrenaline levels fall quickly after exercise, but norepinephrine levels can stay elevated for up to 48 hours after such physical exhaustion.

"You need to sleep," he stressed.

On the morning of Friday, August 17 (four days after setting off), Lawson was just south of Carlisle.

You can follow his attempt to break the record on Strava or at http://live.opentracking.co.uk/fktdanlawson