Wellwishers have donated more than £25,000 to charity after an ultra marathon runner died trying to beat the record for a famous 234-mile route.

David Parrish, 35, was attempting to complete the fastest ever crossing of the Cape Wrath Trail in honour of his late friend, Luke Ireland.

The former Royal Marine and elite athlete was discovered in the remote Kintail mountains of the northwest Highlands at approximately 10.25pm on Saturday.

Mr Parrish was raising money for Scottish Mountain Rescue and, in the aftermath of his death, more than 1,100 friends and family have rushed to donate to the runner’s Gofundme page supporting the charity.

Writing on the fundraising site, Mr Parrish said mountain rescue team volunteers searched tirelessly for his friend Mr Ireland and were available ‘365 days a year to respond to emergencies in the mountains and remote areas of Scotland’.

A 20–year–old Royal Marine from Monifieth, Mr Ireland died from hypothermia while running around Glen Clova in November 2014. 

Mr Parrish was engaged and had celebrated his stag night before his attempt last week.

Police confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Parrish’s death. His next of kin have been informed. 

Wellwishers have donated more than £25,000 to charity after ultra marathon runner David Parrish, pictured, died trying to beat the record for a 234-mile route

Mr Parrish pictured with his late friend Luke Ireland, in whose name he was raising money during his fatal record attempt

Mr Parrish began running in his late teens before building up to racing in his early 20s, taking part in a series of local 5km and 10km races. 

He later joined the marines and previously spoke of using running as a way of decompressing from the demands of the job.

After leaving the service, he began competing in Parkruns and walked the Cape Wrath Trail in 2021.

Mr Parrish was a member of the Dumfries Running Club where he was club champion in 2022. 

A seasoned ultra–marathoner, Mr Parrish had previously dominated the Cape Wrath Trail race in 2023, a remarkable feat considering he had only entered the world of competitive running a few years prior. 

The Cape Wrath trail is not officially marked and there are no official path lines, allowing for some route variations.

Current trail record holder Pawel Cymbalista took just over three days to cover the 240-mile (386km) trail from Fort William to Cape Wrath in 2023.

He took to Instagram to write: ‘As I was preparing for my daily training session this morning, the news destroyed me. It stopped me cold.

‘David had been in touch with me about his unsupported FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempt. He was meant to start a couple of weeks ago but postponed because of Storm Dave. 

‘I was meant to send him off on the day but work got in the way. I didn’t get to wish him good luck.

‘Today I honour David. His courage. His kindness. His willingness to take on something few would ever attempt. Run free, brother. Your energy stays on the trail.’