Ultra-Marathon Champion Dies on Cape Wrath Trail Weeks Before Wedding
An accomplished ultra-marathon runner, David Parrish, from Dumfries, was discovered in the remote Kintail region of the north-west Highlands on Saturday night. The exact cause of his death remains unconfirmed. Parrish was undertaking the 376km Cape Wrath Trail, a route stretching from Fort William to Cape Wrath, with the aim of setting a new speed record.
His fiancée, Jade Lau, expressed profound shock, noting that their wedding was scheduled for just three weeks' time. "We were putting together playlists, writing speeches," she recounted, describing her future plans as now "scattered."
A Life Dedicated to Endurance
Parrish, an experienced ultra-marathoner, had previously conquered the Cape Wrath Trail, winning the official race in 2023. The route is widely recognised as one of the most demanding in the UK. This latest challenge was also a fundraising endeavour for Scottish Mountain Rescue, undertaken in memory of his close friend, Luke Ireland, a fellow Royal Marine who died in a running incident in 2014.
Lau lauded Parrish as "full of life, funny and loving," and a "complete force of nature in spirit and ability." She spoke of her immense pride in his achievements, despite her inherent caution regarding his strenuous challenges. The fundraising effort in his name has now surpassed GBP#30,000, a sum Lau believes would have delighted him.
Parrish was being tracked via GPS by friends and Lau when communication ceased. Police were alerted after a period of silence, escalating to a high-risk missing person investigation before the tragic news was delivered. Lau, along with friends, later identified him at the mountain rescue base in Kintail.
A spokesperson for Parrish's running club conveyed deep shock and sorrow, remembering him as an "immensely talented runner and a wonderful person." Lau acknowledged the vital support from friends and family, and extended gratitude to the emergency services and mountain rescue teams involved in the recovery.
The couple, who resided in Glasgow, frequently explored the Highlands in their van with their dog. Parrish had proposed to Lau during a hike in Glen Coe. Lau reflected on her future relationship with the Cape Wrath Trail, stating, "I guess in some way I feel like it took him. But maybe in time I'll be able to go there with our dog Munro and run part of it. And maybe in some way I'll feel like he'll be there with us. That's my hope."
