A DAD of two said “it’s never too late” as he helped take Team Scotland over the finish line in first place.

Ross Beveridge, 44, competed in the national vest for the first time last month at a relentless ultramarathon.

Owner of dog walking service Wags and Walkies by day, Ross has run a number of long-distance running events in recent years, most recently taking part in a series of races known as ‘backyard ultras’.

In these, the runner must complete a loop of 4.167 miles every hour as many times as possible.

Competitors drop out one by one as the miles rack up, until the last runner standing is deemed the winner and only finisher, with everyone else regarded as not having finished the race.

Ross, who lives in East Fortune with his wife and two children, said: “It suits people like me who have a good engine but are not particularly fast. Tactically it's a bit of a juggling act as well.

"I'm not really a front-of-the-pack podium kind of runner, so any race any distance really I'm not going to be at the front, but I've got a good engine.

"I'm stubborn enough to just keep going."

READ MORE: Runners bring home three individual medals from event

Ross took part in his first backyard ultra two years ago, completing his longest ever run by powering through 133 miles over 32 hours.

He finished third, with second place dropping not soon after meaning that the top runner completed 35 loops.

He explained: "Had I managed to stay fit, I'm not sure how much longer I could have kept going, but I like to think I could have had a few more in me had a not fallen and twisted my ankle."

Following that performance, Ross unexpectedly received a call asking him to run as part of the Scottish team at the upcoming Four Nations Championships.

The Scottish team finished first at the Cowshed Backyard Ultramarathon in September He told the Courier: “I've never been asked to represent Scotland and anything else, and I didn't think I ever would be, so I was absolutely delighted.

"I never had any really intention ever of picking up a national vest. I'm a 44-year-old father of two, I think my sporting prowess days were probably 20 years ago.

"But it just shows you that it's never too late."

The event rotates around the UK each year and 2024 was the turn of England, as it took place in Northumberland at the Cowshed Backyard. 

Ross was “thrilled” to wear a national vest for the first time as part of the nine-strong team.

He said: “Representing your country is not something that everyone gets to do in their lifetime and it's quite a surreal and emotional thing to see yourself wearing your country’s kit before competition.”

The event set off at noon, so many runners, including Ross, were still in the race after dark

Having run more than 50 miles and for over 11 hours, Ross did not complete his 14th loop and finished there.

Team Scotland went on to win the event with a total of 189 laps completed by the runners.

England placed second with a score of 181, with Kieron Day also taking home the individual winner trophy after managing 35 laps, running 145 miles.

After relishing the high of his first race as part of Team Scotland, Ross is looking forward to keeping up the momentum, already signed up to Rasselbok Backyard Ultra in March.

He said: "If I'm fit and well, I think I've got a good chance of improving on my personal best."