A WEST Kilbride man has completed a 58 kilometre ultra-marathon to raise an “incredible” £1,800 for charity.

Euan Thomson, 31, travelled to Ambleside in the Lake District to undertake the challenge in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Finishing in a time of seven hours and nine minutes, Euan placed 21st out of 340 runners at the Lakeside Ultra event.

The race, which included a 7,000 feet climb, was made even tougher when organisers added three extra kilometres to the distance.

Euan said: “My target time was seven hours, so when I saw my actual time I was a wee bit miffed, then I realised it was three kilometres more and I technically made my 55k target.

“I did way better than I expected to do - I was over the moon with it.

“I had a smile on my face from mile one to mile 36.”

The event also included thirteen, 26 and 100 kilometre races.

Euan admitted he is now tempted to push himself further and try the longer distance.

He said: “Right now I’m still really buzzing off of last week, so I feel like I could give it everything.

“I would need to sit down and properly think about the training though.

The Ardrossan Accies second row was due to take part in the race last year before plans were put on hold due to the COVID pandemic.

Euan had intended to retire from rugby last year, using the race to kickstart a string of long-distance running challenges.

He added: “The boys have all been sending me messages throughout, keeping tabs on my training and pushing me on. A fair whack of the money raised has come from connections through the rugby club - it’s just such a good place to be part of.

“You’ve got your close knit friends as well, but you know you’ve always got this bunch of guys you can fall back on; they’re there for you no matter what.”

Euan, a project manager, was initially aiming to raise £750. He had already exceeded his target before the event and saw the total double following the race.

He said: “I’ve done a marathon and a 50k before, but neither raised anywhere near as much as this.”

“If I get to two grand, I don’t know what I’ll do – it’s just incredible.

“Thank you to everyone

who has given me support,

both people from the rugby club and my own friends and family.”