Greenock Glenpark Harriers runner stars in Loch Ness ultra

John Logan covered a total distance of 113 miles during the Loch Ness Ultra - having only taken up running to fill his time during the Covid pandemic.

From there, 5km runs turned into 10km, and then half and full marathons, until he joined Greenock Glenpark Harriers late last year.

John ran 113 miles in just over 24 hours (Image: Supplied)

Less than 12 months later, John would take on his most gruelling challenge to date as he took part in the latest edition of the Loch Ness 24.

The endurance event saw more than 100 runners make the long trip north - and John came home with a clutch of trophies from multiple disciplines.

He told the Tele: “I only started running during lockdown when we had more time on our hands.

“I got the bug for it quite quickly, and started running longer distances quite quickly before joining the Harriers in November 2023. That kicked me on a bit.

“The thought process behind wanting to do an ultra-endurance event was just to test myself and see how far I could go.

“I’ve raced pretty much in all disciplines available as a solo runner, from club runs at a mile long all the way up to that 24 hour long run there.

“Once you get into it, you do find it addictive, because once you reach one milestone you’re sitting thinking 'right, when’s my next?'.

“The guys at the club have a bit of a laugh with me, because come pay day I’ll go onto a website called Entry Central and pick ones that I like. There’s no specific training plans, I just go and do it to test myself.

“It’s harder to train for faster races, whereas a half marathon upwards is more about endurance than pace, which I really enjoy.

“This was a timed race going for 24 hours. You had to run round a loop for as many times as you could in that period.

"I did 26 laps which equates to 113 miles, that was the same with the guy who’d finished in front of me.

“I’d run for 24 hours and 20 minutes all in. My initial target was just to run 100 miles, so I’ve beaten that.

"Even though I finished second, it’s not about medals, it’s about bettering myself.”

Logan finished second overall little under a year after joining Glenpark Harriers (Image: Supplied)

Despite competing in a solo event, Logan says the support of his fellow club members and runners from across Inverclyde such as Inverclyde Athletics club and Urban Fit Crew was unparalleled.

The running fanatic says he chose to take up the hobby after turning his back on alcohol, smoking and gambling - and he says the benefits of his choice are clear to see.

He added: “If it wasn’t for the guys in the Harriers, who’d made the effort to come up and had done well themselves, I’d have stopped at my initial target at 7.30am, even if I had more in me.

“For me, the boost that running gives you, both physically and mentally, is huge.

“I’ve given up cigarettes, alcohol and gambling over the course of the last four years and now it’s all been replaced with running.

“I couldn’t imagine it being any different now, and I can’t believe how much I’ve seen an improvement.

“I was in a position where I just didn’t want to waste anymore time or cash on either of the three of them, I know some people aren’t able to give these things up but I’m glad that I have.

“I’d rather spend money on making memories like this."