Lanarkshire man training to walk West Highland Way in his bare feet

Craig Curtis is hoping to make it to the end of the 96 mile route with no injuries.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 4th Sep 2022

A Lanarkshire man is in training to walk the entire length of the West Highland Way with no shoes on.

Craig Curtis has been practising for months by ditching his shoes to go around Strathclyde Park and Lanark Loch.

As Suicide Prevention Week kicks off, he hopes to inspire other people to do something outwith their comfort zone.

Craig's feet have certainly already taken a bit of a battering during recent training sessions.

He told Clyde 1: "My eyes are constantly on the ground and I am looking at least a metre ahead all of the time.

"I can't take my attention away from the floor because of glass, rocks and stones.

"I find the motivation by just getting my head down and putting my music on to focus on the task ahead."

The personal trainer has even climbed to the top of Ben Vorlich in the Highlands to acclimatise his feet to different terrains he might face during his task.

He claims he has also had some strange looks from passers by and his family and friends were completely shocked when he told them what he is doing.

The personal trainer has climbed to the top of Ben Vorlich in the Highlands with no socks or shoes in preparation.

He said: "They think I am stupid, crazy and mental.

"Ultimately the support is behind me, but this is something I have set out to achieve for myself."

This is not the first time the personal trainer has set himself an unusual challenge.

Last year he managed to complete over 66,000 burpees in the space of 365 days.

READ MORE: Lanarkshire man completes over 66000 burpees in one year

He said: "It is going to take me seven days to complete and I will be on my own for the first two so that will give me the chance to get my head in gear.

"On the third day, my partner Sabrina will join me until the end so that will be a good motivator along the way.

"However, no doubt she will just give me a big kick up the backside and tell me to get on with it."

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