Neil’s SIXTREME Challenge: 6 Ultramarathons. 6 Days. 1 Industry Worth Fighting For.

This summer, Neil Barker, Chair of The Drinks Trust and a lifelong champion of the hospitality world, is taking on a challenge as tough and spirited as the industry he loves. To mark The Drinks Trust’s 140th anniversary, Neil will run six ultramarathons in six days, covering over 170 miles across Scotland.

Starting at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace in Girvan on 27 July, and finishing in North Berwick at Fringe by the Sea on 1 August, Neil will run 28.3 miles every day, further than a marathon, to shine a light on the people who keep hospitality alive.

For Neil, this is personal: “Hospitality has shaped so much of my life,” he says. “It brings people together, creates memories, and opens doors for so many young careers. But right now, the people behind it need our support.”

The funds raised will go directly to The Drinks Trust’s vital work: helping hospitality workers facing financial hardship, mental health challenges, barriers to employment, and supporting the next generation entering the sector.

In recent years, the drinks and hospitality industry has been hit hard. Neil’s SIXTREME challenge is a rallying cry, a way to bring colleagues, partners and friends together while showcasing some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes.

“I’ve spent nearly 40 years in this industry,” Neil says. “This challenge is my way of giving something back to the people who make it great.”

SIXTREME has attracted support from businesses and hospitality operators across Scotland, including Turnberry, C&C Group, Scottish Rugby and Gleneagles, with further details of auction prizes and moments along the route to be announced in the coming weeks.