Ultra-marathon champion David Parrish has died while attempting to set a recent fastest known time on the Cape Wrath Trail in the Scottish Highlands. The 35-year-old former Royal Marine from Dumfries was found in a remote mountainous area of Kintail on Saturday evening after failing to make progress during his solo run. Police Scotland confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and that his next of kin have been informed.
Parrish was attempting to break the record for the fastest completion of the 234-mile (376km) route from Fort William to Cape Wrath, which crosses some of the most challenging terrain in the United Kingdom. The trail passes through Lochaber, Knoydart, Applecross and Torridon, featuring high grass, boggy sections and minimal proper paths. His effort was undertaken as a fundraising challenge for Scottish Mountain Rescue in memory of his close friend Luke Ireland, a fellow Royal Marine who died while running in the mountains of Glen Clova in November 2014.
According to verified reports, Parrish was found at approximately 10:25pm local time by mountain rescue teams after his tracking device indicated he had stopped moving. The current record holder for the Cape Wrath Trail FKT (Fastest Known Time), Pawel Cymbalista, stated he had been in contact with Parrish before the attempt and expressed that the news had “shaken him to the core.” Cymbalista, an endurance runner and coach based in Mallaig, acknowledged the extreme risks involved in solo, unsupported runs on this particular route.
Despite only competing in ultra-distance races for a few years, Parrish had already established himself as a formidable athlete. He won the Cape Wrath Ultra race in 2023 and had previously walked the full trail in 2021. In 2025, he claimed victory in the Dragon’s Back Race (383.6km), finished second in the Ultra Scotland 50 (88.6K), and took second place in the Northern Traverse (96.4K). His running career began in his late teens as a way to decompress from military service, and he continued to build his endurance through local 5km and 10km races before progressing to longer distances.
Parrish was a member of the Dumfries Running Club, where he served as club champion in 2022. His fundraising page for Scottish Mountain Rescue highlighted the vital work of volunteers who searched extensively for Luke Ireland after his 2014 incident, noting that rescue teams operate “365 days a year to respond to emergencies in the mountains and remote areas of Scotland.” Thousands of pounds have been raised through his campaign, with numerous tributes posted in his honor following his passing.
Kintail Mountain Rescue Team paid tribute to Parrish as “an experienced hillgoer and mountain runner who tragically died doing something he loved.” The organization emphasized the inherent dangers of the Cape Wrath Trail, which remains one of the oldest and most demanding routes in the UK due to its remote location, variable weather conditions and technical underfoot challenges.
As the global running community mourns the loss of a talented athlete and dedicated fundraiser, the focus now shifts to supporting Parrish’s family and preserving the legacy of his charitable efforts. Donations to Scottish Mountain Rescue in his name continue to be accepted through his official fundraising page, which remains active as a tribute to both his and Luke Ireland’s commitment to mountain safety.
The next official update regarding Parrish’s fundraising initiative or any potential memorial events will come from Scottish Mountain Rescue or his family representatives. Readers wishing to honor his memory are encouraged to contribute to causes aligned with his passion for mountain rescue services.
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