This year’s edition of the Altra West Highland Way Race will raise funds to honour the memory of John Kynaston, a much-loved member of the WHW race family who died suddenly in January.  

Entrants will be asked when they register if they would like to make a donation to Play for Change, a charity suggested by John’s widow Katrina, and children Jo, Emma, Laura and Hollie.

With the 2021 entry fee set at just a cost-covering £5, organisers hope that runners and supporters will donate generously. They have also set up a fundraising page for anyone not taking part in the event who wishes to honour memory of the Kilbarchan AAC athlete, blogger and pillar of the Scottish ultrarunning community through a donation.   

Any surplus funds from the organisation of this year’s event will also be donated to the charity.

An international sport for development charity, Play for Change aims to enhance life opportunities for under-privileged children by using the powerful values of sport.

Organisers say, “We believe that raising funds for this charity will be a lovely way for us to remember John, and for us all to recognise the impact his life had through his work abroad, his work in sport, and his work with children.”

Like last year, this year’s WHW Race will be a virtual affair, challenging participants to ‘run, walk or crawl’ the 95 miles (153km) distance of the West Highland Way over a 9.5-day period (Friday, 11 June to Sunday, 20 June).

Entries to the event close in 10 days time (Monday, 14 June), with over 250 past, present and future members of the WHW family already signed up.

Entries to the 2022 Altra West Highland Way Race will open in November.

Image courtesy: John Kynaston (Facebook)