Richard Lathe ran around Arran last Friday in a time of just 16 hours — not bad for a man who started running just five years ago.

When The Banner caught up with Richard last Friday he was showing the effects of the gruelling test suffering with inflamed joints.

However the Edinburgh resident was in good spirits saying he had greatly enjoyed the experience of his 60-mile run.

A regular holidaymaker on the island and member of Carnethy running club he started running at 6.37am and did not get back to the campsite where he was staying until almost 11pm. Richard had hoped to complete the run in a time of 12 hours and spent several weeks preparing for his run.

Heading in an anti-clockwise direction and setting off from Lamlash he made good time in the early stages. Richard said: ‘I set off in rain and the run into Brodick was lovely and very quiet. The path at north Sannox was very craggy and rocky and I ended up scrambling a bit of the way.’

He made his way around the Cock of Arran getting into Lochranza by noon. ‘I was pleased to get there,’ he said ‘the path had been terrible at times and I had to do some climbing.’

This is the point where Richard said it began to become difficult. He continued: ‘I got into Blackwaterfoot by 5pm and I was starting to limp. I said to myself if I could make it there then I would finish.’

And finish he did but after 54 miles his legs gave out in Whiting Bay and he had to walk briskly back to his tent in Lamlash. He joked ‘The thought of a beer kept me going in the last stage!’

The first thing he did when he got back was telephoned his son but he can’t remember saying much as he was just so tired. But there was more agony for Richard as torrential rain kept him awake half the night as it battered his tent. He did the event with no assistance and survived on water, sandwiches and caramel wafers which he carried in a backpack.

Richard has hit out at motorists who did not give him enough room as he was running. He said: ‘Nine out of ten cars gave me a wide berth but a few times I ended up jumping into hedges and ditches to get clear.’

Would he do it again? ‘No,’ he said, ‘once is enough.’

Circumnavigation of Arran, 62 miles, 98 km; full report here.