There is meaning amid the madness of Scot's latest bid to push the limits

THEY say that around 0.007 per cent of the world’s population run an ultra-marathon in their lifetime. Now imagine running 32 — on consecutive days.

That is precisely the challenge that Chris Thomson has set himself and started earlier this week.

The 34-year-old from Dumfries and Galloway is attempting to become the first man to run 32 ultra-marathons of approximately 33 miles each — one in each Scottish council — each day having started his challenge in his hometown on Wednesday.

Of course, as much as Thomson relishes the thrill of adventure, there is more to this world record attempt than just testing his own limits.

‘The main trigger for this was my mate, who sadly took his own life at 33,’ he reveals. ‘He was the life and soul of the party, a real sportsman and it just came as such a big shock. So the mental health is a big side of things.

‘My mum was looked after really well by Maggie’s, as was my aunt who sadly past away. Then there was the big cycle we did for MNDA last year and the Doddie’5 Foundation, who donated a chair to my mate’s father towards the end which helped him. So it’s really important to help all of these charities.

‘I’m passionate about all these charities, and I have a link to all of them. It’s a great opportunity to help all of them and they’ve all been so supportive of me.

‘It’s been such an enjoyable journey... though that might change when the running starts!’

It was in March that Thomson decided to quit his job in software sales in London to commit fully to his cause. Whilst he insists that the time is right to give it a go, he knows it is not going to be fun.

Having lost a close friend to mental health struggles, Thomson accepts that running 33 miles every day — as a mark of tribute to his friend — will be a mental battle more than a physical one.

‘About two weeks ago I did seven marathons in eight days, just to try and test my body and see how it was over those longer distances, and it seemed to be all right,’ he says. ‘Before that, I’ve done half-marathons, 10kms in the week, a 30-miler at the weekend, so now I’m trying to change it up and keep it fresh but also keep testing my body.

‘But the last two weeks, it’s just been about tapering off and trying not to pick up any injuries, but you want to keep the legs spinning.

‘It’s going to be mind over matter. As soon as you hit a threshold in your body, your body just goes: “You could be sitting down, having a burger or a pint, having fun. Just stop, stop, stop!”. If you can put one foot in front of the other, you’ll be fine.’

For most athletes, gathering data and looking to push the pace is reason for competing. For Thomson, however, the length of time he spends out on Scotland’s roads and paths is irrelevant. It’s just about getting the ground covered.

‘Ideally I won’t spend all day on the road but equally it’s just about getting it done,’ he adds. ‘I’ve lived in Scotland for the majority of my life but there’s so much of it I haven’t seen. I’ve never been to the islands, various parts of around Aberdeenshire, things like that, so I’ve been planning routes in Lewis and Harris and I’m realising it’s going to be pretty class just running there. I’m keen to enjoy the experience as much as possible and take as much of it in as possible.

‘I’ve received lots of messages on Instagram and emails from people with similar stories who are keen to join. I’m hoping it’s going to be an enjoyable experience. It’s going to be tough but I’m going to see some cool stuff, cool people and hear cool stories.

‘I want to enjoy it but I know that if I push my body too much, that’s when things start to fall apart.’

No stranger to an adventure himself, Thomson has already completed a number of mammoth challenges for various charitable causes close to his heart.

Taking inspiration from ‘The Iron Cowboy’ James Lawrence and, more recently, ‘The Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook, who ran the entire length of Africa over the course of 352 days, Thomson is hoping he can continue to challenge his own body and help raise more funds for charity.

‘It’s amazing how many people are out doing stuff like this now. The world is moving very much towards people trying to push the limit, trying to achieve something different now,’ says Thomson. ‘I’ve been inspired by people like James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy. He’s done 100 Ironmans in 50 states, twice. He started with Hawaii and Alaska because they were the ones he had to fly to, which is a good tip for my challenge.

‘I’m starting with the islands just in case anything goes wrong. I want to be the first person to do something like this consecutively. So if the worst should happen, I can always start again in the first three days. I’ll go Stornoway via Inverness to Orkney back to Shetland and then Glasgow. Go up the west coast, down the east and finish in Edinburgh.

‘There’ll be some long drives but at least that’s on land. The hardest run will be when I fly back from Shetland. I don’t land until 2.40pm in Glasgow, then have to get to Greenock, so it means I might be running until after midnight that day. It’ll be a fun test.

‘There’s nothing glamourous about this! It’s a Vauxhall Astra that my parents are going to be using along for the journey for me with all my kit. It’s used on their farm as well. There won’t be a constant support crew but I’ve got people along the way helping me.

‘Last November, I ran 300 miles and then I ran another 500 in December. Then after Christmas I did 10 marathons in a row. In November I also cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End. I’ve cycled from the bottom or Ireland to the top with my mate, kayaked around the Isle of Arran. I’ve always done little bits but it’s quite a good time in my life to give this bigger one a crack.

‘If I enjoy it, I can maybe continue with some other bigger challenges. I’ve got some more up my sleeve.’

You can donate by following Chris on Instagram, TikTok and X by following his account @Tourdethomo. To donate directly to Chris Thomson’s fundraising, go to: https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/3289/charity-donation-page-scotland