Rescuers searching for a missing fell runner have recovered a body near a Munro in Highland Perthshire.
Police, Tayside Mountain Rescue and a Coastguard helicopter had been searching for Chris Smith near Invervar, between Loch Tay and Loch Rannoch, since Tuesday afternoon.
The Team GB international hill runner and dad-of-two failed to return from a run on Tuesday.
Mr Smith, who recorded top ten finishes at the Mountain Running World Championships in 2015 and European Championships in 2013, had been on holiday in the area with his family.
He was confirmed as missing on Tuesday evening, a few hours after he was due back from a run around four Munros in Glen Lyon.
The 43-year-old’s family said they were devastated that the search had ended in tragedy, but were taking comfort from the fact that he and his family had “spent the previous days having the most special time.”
Brother-in-law Billy Milligan posted on Facebook: “On behalf of the entire family, we are devastated to let you know that Chris lost his life in Glen Lyon.
“He was doing what he loved having spent the previous days having the most special time with Lindsay, Cameron and Alastair.
“We would like to thank everyone for the support they have given us, in particular the mountain rescue teams, emergency services, members of the public and Chris’s friends that joined the search.
“We will always treasure his energy, spirit and love. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.”
Rescuers were contacted when Mr Smith did not return from his running route, understood to be 11 miles long with 1,450m of ascent.
A GoFundMe page set up by fellow GB international runner Marc Scott to support Scottish Mountain Rescue in the search, raised more than £4,500.
British and European record holder Marc tweeted: “Chris was a great role model when I was running on the fells and mountains back in the day.”
Rescuers found the body of a man just before noon on Thursday, and contacted Mr Smith’s family.
A spokesperson said: “Police Scotland can confirm that at around 11:50am on Thursday, 29 October, 2020, the body of a man was found near to Meall Garbh in the Glenlyon area.
“Formal identification has yet to take place however the family of missing 43-year-old Chris Smith has been informed.
“Enquiries remain ongoing and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”
Mr Smith’s family had also been searching for the Aberdeenshire-born runner.
The Thames Valley Harrier, who trained as a youngster with the Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club, lived in Sussex in the south of England.
Tributes have poured in from fellow runners and athletics clubs from around the UK.
Scottish Athletics CEO Mark Munro tweeted: “This is devastating news for everyone within the UK athletics community.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris’ family and friends at this time.
“[He was] not only a great athlete but a genuinely great person. Very sad.”
