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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Keiran Fleming

Carbeth ultra-runner on the challenges and joys of record-breaking 282 Munro climb

A Carbeth ultra-runner, who scaled Scotland's 282 Munros in record time, has spoken of the highs and lows of the mammoth challenge.

Jamie Aarons, originally from California, ran, cycled and kayaked her way around the country, scaling each mountain, all over 3,000 metres, in 31 days 10 hours and 27 minutes - 12 hours quicker than the previous record.

She began the attempt at Ben More on the Isle of Mull on May 26 and finished the epic feat at Ben Klibreck in Sutherland on Monday, June 26.

The record breaker climbed the equivalent of 16 Mount Everests during her fundraising effort.

Read more: Man dies after incident on Glasgow street leaving mum in 'indescribable pain'

Jamie isn't a stranger to endurance challenges, having completed the 96-mile West Highland Way in 18 hours and 24 minutes and also finishing first in the 100km Maxi-Madeira Race.

But this was the ultra-runner's toughest feat yet and she had a number of people motivating her along the way.

Jamie scaled 282 munros in record time (supplied)

She told Glasgow Live: "I had company throughout, only doing five summits on my own, which is remarkable out of 282.

"I was supported by people who were strangers before the challenge - having met several of them literally as we set off for the hills - but who are now friends. It's been wonderful to hear about the friendships that have been formed between support crew, too. We've really built a community, which I'm quite proud of.

"The views of sunsets, sunrises and rainbows were spectacular. When you are outside for so many hours of the day it was impossible not to encounter amazing scenery.

"I tried to appreciate what was around me and who was with me even when things were quite challenging.

"There was never a point where I thought I couldn't finish but there were many points where I struggled. The terrain under foot was very difficult and the heat at the beginning was a suprising challenge.

"We ran out of water and midgies were bad at certain points. Towards the end I hurt my foot quite badly.

The ultra-runner was supported by strangers along the way (supplied)

"I went from feeling optimistic to being pessimistic, I was in a lot of pain. The last couple of days were surprisingly challenging.

"I was too close not to finish, it was just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other."

One of the people who came out and cheered Jamie on was former record holder Donnie Campbell.

He completed the feat in an impressive 31 days, 23 hours, and two minutes in 2020.

Jamie said: "He was very supportive and lovely. He offered his congratulations before I had finished which was very generous.

"It also motivated me because I realised I couldn't stop.

"My goal was just to do the best I could do and breaking the record was just the icing on the cake.

"I realised in the last few days that I had enough of a cushion on the overall record that, even though that I was in a lot of pain and moving slowly, I could still beat it.

"It still was a challenge, I couldn't be complacent, I needed to keep going."

Jamie even trekked through the night (supplied)

As she scaled Ben Klibreck and saw the crowd gathering to watch her complete the epic feat Jamie realised how big moment this really was.

The 43-year-old said: "There was a feeling of relief and elation.

"At the final peak I was joined by quite a few people who helped me along the way, which was just an amazing experience.

"I was still very sore climbing up to the last summit and bringing up the rear of the group. I took a moment to look at those people who were metophorically pulling me up and just became full of emotion.

"But this month has been exactly what I'd hoped it would be, full of adventure with friends old and new. There was a sense of contentment because we achieved what we set out to do.

"There was a celebration at the top. It was surreal."

It was a challenge of highs and lows (supplied)

Jamie has raised over £20,000 for the World Bicycle Relief, a charity which provides bikes to children in poorer nations to increase their mobility and improve access to essential services such as schools, markets and health clinics.

The ultra-runner is still looking to support the charity she holds dear to her heart, but said the mammoth endurance challenges have been put on the backburner.

Jamie said: "I now want to support other people looking to take on their ideas and goals.

"I will not be taking on any other big challenges for the foreseeable. I'm looking forward to the prospect of helping others achieve their targets.

"I'm massively indebted to my partner, Andy, for the amount of time and effort he put in to help me over the finish line, so I think the months and years ahead will be dedicated to whatever he wants to do."

To donate to her fundraiser click here.

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