Stuart Retson takes on 550-mile cancer challenge

Published on : 26 May 2026

Stuart will attempt to run the full 96-mile West Highland Way in a single effort!

Stuart Retson is preparing to take on an extraordinary five-day endurance challenge to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK after his father was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer five years ago.

With 2026 also marking the year Stuart turns 50, he decided to create a challenge built around the number five — combining cycling, mountain climbing and ultra running across 550 miles.

The Retson family is well known across the Scottish poultry industry, with John Retson serving three years as BFREPA chairman and the family egg and pullet business remaining firmly established within the sector.

The challenge, which Stuart believes may never have been attempted before, begins on June 30 with a climb of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.

From there, he will immediately get on his bike and cycle north to the Lake District to climb Scafell Pike, before continuing on to Fort William to tackle Ben Nevis.

Stuart hopes to complete the cycling and three mountain climbs in just three days, averaging around 150 miles a day between each peak.

But the challenge does not stop there.

After completing Ben Nevis, Stuart plans to put the bike away and attempt to run the full 96-mile West Highland Way in a single effort from Fort William to Milngavie the very next day.

“The West Highland Way is a massive challenge on its own, so I’m not sure it’s even possible after cycling the three peaks in three days,” he said. “I guess I’ll find out.”

Through the fundraiser, Stuart hopes to raise awareness as well as money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Around 12,300 men die from prostate cancer each year in the UK, while one in eight men will develop the disease during their lifetime. That figure rises to one in three for those with a family history.

Supporters can follow Stuart’s training and progress on his personal Facebook page and Instagram.

Anyone interested in joining some of the longer training rides or runs is also being encouraged to get involved.

CLICK HERE for more information and to make a donation through Stuart’s JustGiving page.