Search for missing Team GB fell runner who lives in Haywards Heath

Chris Smith, 43, originally from Daviot, Inverurie, Scotland. was reported missing after failing to return home on Tuesday afternoon (October 27), after going hill running in Perth and Kinross.

He lives in Haywards Heath with his wife and two young sons, our sister newspaper, The Scotsman reports.

He was visiting his sister and her family in Glasgow earlier this week before taking a short holiday with his wife and sons in Perthshire, it said.

His cousin, Ruth McKee, said: “My cousin is missing after going for a run in Glen Lyon in Perthshire yesterday.

“He’s an experienced fell runner and could have become disorientated and ended up further afield.

“We’re desperately worried about him.

“Chris is a brilliant runner and is totally experienced with training in this kind of challenging terrain but he may have become disorientated and could be further afield than the Glen Lyon/Loch Tay area.

“If everyone in the area could keep a look out for him or let us know if you have seen him it would mean so much to his whole family.”

Police Scotland have been working in close partnership with local mountain rescue teams and the ongoing assistance of the Coastguard helicopter.

The searches have entered their third day, after Chris, who is a member of Thames Valley Harriers, was last seen at around 3pm on Tuesday.

Search teams have been focusing around the walking route it is understood Chris had planned to follow, encompassing four Munros – Meall nan Aighean, Carn Mairg, Meall Garbh and Carn Gorm.

Inspector Emma Bowman, from Tayside Police Division, said: “Chris is an experienced hill walker and fell runner, so it is naturally concerning that he remains missing at this time. Our thoughts are with his family as the searches continue today.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the searches so far and ask anyone who has any information about Chris’s whereabouts to contact police on 101, quoting incident 2775 of 27 October.”