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Hebridean
Challenge The Hebridean Challenge is a demanding adventure race, which takes place in the Outer Hebrides. It includes tough hill running sections, a little road running, significant road and mountain biking sections, short sea swims and very demanding sea kayaking sections. The aim of the event is to directly benefit the inhabitants of the Outer Hebrides - to produce employment, to attract revenue, to enhance public knowledge about the islands and their unique culture and heritage.
Highland Wheels Extreme It's fast, it's extreme, it is the ultimate adrenalin rush. The event includes streetluge, luge, buttboard and gravity bikes and stand-up skateboard and the action takes place on the Cairngorms near Aviemore. Luging started about 25 years ago in California and has taken a long time to hit the streets in the UK. There are currently only about 20 riders in the UK of which 10 are hardcore. 70 Wild Miles This event is a triathlon consisting of a 47 mile cycle, 10 mile canoe and 13 mile run. It is not a race as such, the real winners being the Cancer Research Campaign who receive every penny raised from sponsorship. The route starts with a cycle time trial, which takes competitors from Glencoe over Rannoch Moor to Tyndrum, then down towards Taynuilt. From there a canoeing section on Loch Etive then a running section over the Glen Etive road takes competitors back to the finishing point at Glencoe. Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon This annual event takes place in a remote, high mountain region of the Scottish Highlands. It is a two day mountain orienteering competition for pairs with an overnight camp at a remote location. It is necessary to carry lightweight camping equipment, clothes and food for sustenance in this gruelling event. The Helly Hansen Three Peaks Yacht
Race This Barmouth to Fort William race is a serious challenge, involving 389 miles sailing, 29 miles cycling and 59 miles walking, including climbing the highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland. The race also involves sailing on some of the trickiest waters on the west coast of Great Britain. Highland Cross Staged annually since 1983, the Highland Cross is a 50-mile duathlon (20 miles on foot, 30 miles on bike), which traverses the Scottish Highlands coast-to-coast, west to east from Kintail to Beauly. The aim of the event is to raise funds for those disadvantaged by ill health in the Highland Community. State Street Caledonian Challenge
Over 1,500 walkers in teams of four, will walk 54 miles non-stop and through the night along the famous long distance route, the West Highland Way, in what is Scotland's largest outdoor fundraising event. Starting in Fort William, the challenge passes through some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery - up Glen Nevis, down the Devils Staircase, across Rannoch Moor, past Crianlarich, to finish at Ardlui on the shores of Loch Lomond. The Three Peaks Challenge The highest peaks in England (Scafell 978m), Scotland (Ben Nevis 1344m) and Wales (Snowdon 1085m) pose a great challenge for anyone wishing to climb them in succession during a 24hr period. Transport between the peaks is usually by car or van which amounts to some 500 miles of driving. Corrieyairack Challenge This is a charity mountain duathlon involving a 17-mile hill run and 26-mile cycle on Speyside. Follow the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie on Scotland's highest mountain road. The route commences in Fort Augustus and ends in Kincraig. The Glen Nevis River Race This race is an annual fundraising event for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (currently in the spotlight thanks to the new BBC drama Rockface which is based on this mountain rescue team). The race is a two mile airbed race through the torrent of white water of the River Nevis near Fort William. Most people use an airbed but occasionally racers use different buoyancy aids such as giant bagpipes, an inflatable sheep or a series of different sized inner tubes cunningly disguised to look like the Loch Ness Monster.
Kayak enthusiasts from all over the world will converge at the 5th annual symposium held on the island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The five-day programme includes night paddles, rescue sessions, navigation and workshops on how to spot a wave and what to do with it! There are also guided trips around the Monarch Isles and the sound of Barra with its population of bottlenose dolphins. Surf competitions and kayak races are also planned. Scottish Ultimate Challenge This 20-mile mountain marathon will tackle three of the most beautiful mountains in the Arrochar Alps in the southern Highlands of Scotland near Loch Lomond. The routes have been selected for scenic value, so they provide a visual spectacle during the challenge. Despite covering only 20 miles, the ascent on the first day alone is greater than that of the highest mountain in England. The Challenge raises money for Cancer Research UK. Ben Nevis Race The modern Ben Nevis Race began in 1937 and now has over 500 entries accepted from suitably qualified hill runners. The race begins in Glen Nevis and runners ascend to the top of the mountain (Britain's highest at 1344m) and back down again. The record for men stands at 1 hr 25 mins and for ladies at 1 hr 43 mins. Ben Nevis in Gaelic translates to venomous or malicious mountain though some consider "Nevis" to be a corruption of "Nibheis" meaning cloud or heavens. Loch Ness Marathon The Loch Ness Marathon is the newest event to join the international running calendar and is set to be one of the world's most spectacular races. Runners will follow a challenging 26.2-mile route, along the southeastern shores of Loch Ness, one of Scotland's most famous landmarks, and cross the finish line at the Highland capital, Inverness. The race is open to all - novice, amateur and professional runners. Runners can register the day before the race at the Pasta Party with lots of live music and family entertainment. However you don't need to be a top athlete to enjoy Scotland's great outdoors and for more sporting holiday ideas go to www.visitscotland.com or www.wannabethere.com (18/4/2002) |
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Scotland's
landscape with its mountains, rivers, lochs and coastline make it
the ideal venue for adventure sports and as the sector booms an
increasing number of extreme sport events are being hosted in Scotland
each year. Here is a round up of this year's main events.
Sea
Surf Kayak Symposium