Rustman 5 Achna’Carry On Over the Hill’

Rustman is the brainchild of Chris Shaw and Richard Webster, who share a lifelong love of outdoor endurance sport. Both men have a passion for the promotion of mental health and community through exercise, and both were selected as Olympic torch bearers in 2012 in recognition of their contributions. Chris and Rich harboured an ambition to plan an endurance event through which friends with a similar love of the local outdoors, choosing to accept the significant risks associated, would support each other through an endurance event similar to an Ironman but free to be non-corporate, non-profit and completed entirely under their own steam. Thus the Rustman was born, so named to represent the creaky knees and aching limbs of athletes of a certain age!

Now in its fifth year, 2023 will see the Rustman challenge move northwards. Rustman ‘Achna Carry on Over the Hill’ will begin with a 2 mile swim in Loch Linnhe, followed by a 23 mile run up and over Ben Nevis and a 130 mile bike ride from Spean Bridge to Arbroath. Spean Bridge is the birthplace of the Royal Marines Commandos and completing this route has long been an ambition of Ged Buckley, former Royal Marine and Rustman participant. Amongst the Rustman ranks are a number of former military personnel, including former Royal Marines Commandos, and the route will include a visit to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. This year we will be raising money for the Royal Marines Charity who work to provide support to former and serving Royal Marines and their families, and to commemorate those who have lost their lives or suffered injury through their service. Despite the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Royal Marines remain deployed serving the nation around the globe 365 days a year- be it on anti-piracy duty, protecting the nuclear deterrent, guarding embassies or on Special Forces operations. The Royal Marines Charity is uniquely placed to understand and support Royal Marines and their families in overcoming the lifelong challenges they face as a result of their service.

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