I spent months in a psychiatric ward after a drug-induced psychosis, now I'm back and winning races

Harvey opens up on fight to rebuild his life one step at a time following horrific ordeal

- ANDREA LAMBROU

The inspirational winner of the Glasgow Men’s Health 10K says the pursuit of greatness is the only high he needs after overcoming drug-induced psychosis.

Just one year after being discharged from a psychiatric ward, 20-year-old fitness fanatic Harvey Mitchell-Divers has turned his life around to take gold in the city centre race - clocking up a personal best.

The sport and exercise science student sprinted past 2448 athletes and runners to smash through the finish line in just 33 minutes and 27 seconds.

Before falling ill, Harvey was named Scotland's youngest Iron Man after completing the gruelling challenge at 18, picked up a Guinness World Record after winning the world’s highest endurance race in Abu Dhabi at just 16 and is a British World Age Group Champion.

Commenting on his monumental win on the day, he said: “I'm still on a high from the weekend. It was a very good result, I’m over the moon.

“I was going for a personal best and I knew there was a serious stack of good athletes and runners so I wasn't expecting to get first place, it was a big surprise.”

The remarkable feat was made all the more special being on Father’s Day with his dad Jason - his biggest supporter-cheeringhimon.

Emotions were high as Harvey reflected on his racing comeback following the darkest time in his life.

He said: “I had nearly a whole year off of racing. After Iron Man in July 2023 I began to replace one high of exercise with another high of taking a lot of drugs.

“I was going to lots of raves and taking ecstasy and eventually I became really unwell.