Overview

Completed over the 2 days; pairs or solos; 105 miles covered; full logistical support; £220 standard price per person.

You need to be at least 18 years old to take part in the event. Please note that if you enter as a pair you MUST stay together throughout the course. If you reach check points separately the results system will automatically rank you as ‘disqualified’.

Challenger is designed for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness who has a sense of adventure in the beautiful outdoors. It is set over 2 days, with a relaxing overnight stop at the mid-point close to the shores of Loch Ness, Fort Augustus. You can take part as a pair and enjoy the experience together, or tackle the terrain as a solo participant. In both cases you will use the same bike throughout.

Is this for me?

Scotland Coast to Coast Challengers are a varied bunch. There will be people who have never been to the Highlands but who have longed to go; and people who already know and cherish the place like no other. If you have run a 10km, had a weekend out in the country on the bikes, or simply find yourself wanting a physical goal to train towards, this could be the category for you. Challenger is tough; make no bones about it, but we will be encouraging you every step of the way. It involves a one-way journey of 105 miles across some pretty rugged terrain, with loads of stunning views to keep you inspired. 22 miles are on foot, plus a wee splash in our kayaks – just short sections (no advanced skill required) and plenty of fun-fuelled biking.

This is a true journey; you’ll start with your toes in the North Sea and finish with them having a (well-earned) soak on Scotland’s West Coast.

Route summary and stage lengths

All Scotland Coast to Coast participants will experience the same route. Challengers will attempt it over 2 days, with an overnight stop at Fort Augustus, where the event will provide you with access to your gear (which you will have left with us at the start line) and you will erect your tent to sleep in overnight. You may elect to take our accommodation package and stay in a lovely boutique hotel, or you may wish to organise your own local accommodation. All options are fine. The next morning, you’ll be setting out again on the route following the Great Glen south-west and onwards to the finish line at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel.

The stage lengths are as follows:

• Trek/ Run - 7 miles (5 miles off-road)
• Road Cycle - 48 miles
• Mini Kayak & Run - 2 miles max
• Off-Road & Road Cycle - 33 miles (16 miles off-road)
• Trek/ Run - 14 miles (12 miles off-road)
• Kayak - 1 mile
• Short run to finish line
• TOTAL JOURNEY - 105 miles

Itinerary

Friday Sep 14th

• Registration and drop open 1200 – 2200 (Nairn)
• Bag Drop 1600 - 2200 (at registration)
• Bike Drop open 1200 – 2230 (Cawdor Castle)

Saturday Sep 15th

• Bag drop 0600 - 0730
• Briefing 0745 (at the Start)
• Start 0800 (Nairn)
• Finish From 1300 – 1800 (Fort Augustus)
• Day 1 Course closes 2000 (Fort Augustus)

Sunday Sep 16th

• Day 2 Re-Start Any time from 0700 – 0900 (Fort Augustus)
• Finish From 1300 – 2000 (Glencoe)
• Post Race Party 2000 – late! (Glencoe)

Kit List

Day 1 only

Mandatory:

• Cycle helmet
  
• Bicycle
• Basic First aid kit
• Food
• Water

Recommended Kit:Running shoes with good sole grip, cycle shorts, shoes and gloves (for kayaking also), puncture repair kit, bike pump, bike lock, tools and accessories, bike water bottle, small rucksack or bumbag with hydration bladder, sunglasses, sunscreen.

Day 2

Mandatory:

• Cycle Helmet
• Bicycle
• Full waterproof or windproof body cover
• Warm headgear
• Warm gloves
• Survival bag or blanket
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Whistle
• Additional upper body thermal layer
• Food
• Water

Recommended Kit: Running shoes with good sole grip, cycle shorts, shoes and gloves (for kayaking also), puncture repair kit, bike pump, bike lock, tools and accessories, bike water bottle, small rucksack or bumbag with hydration bladder, sunglasses, sunscreen.

As we get closer to the event we all need to be studying the weather forecast. In the event of bad weather we will announce a more stringent mandatory list, so please pack additional items if you are on a holiday trip prior to arriving at the event.

Having entered an event, and therefore a repeat customer of Rat Race Adventure Sports, you are entitled to 15% off your future purchases during the season across all areas of the Rat Race business. Your confirmation email from your initial purchase will contain a Rat Reward code that you merely enter at check out when buying kit or entering an other event. To shop for kit click here. Or to see the full details of the Rat Reward scheme please click here.

Bike Choices

You will use the same bike throughout your day. This could be a mountain bike, hybrid or cyclo-cross bike. Road bikes are not recommended though they would be possible to use if you add good tyres, good pressures and a dose of skill. The bike choice for this class will become quite a talking point that’s for sure. We do not allow the use of other bikes as we want this category to be as pure as possible and also to not encourage support from others on route outside of the designed transition areas. In the mid-summer we will give more detail on the characteristics of the trails. 

Travel and logistical support

In the Challenger category, there are occasions when we will move your equipment for you during the event. We will move your kit bag (with your overnight gear) to the Fort Augustus mid-point and then onto Isles of Glencoe on day 2. You will leave this with us at Registration in Nairn. Your bike must be dropped off at the Cawdor transition area (approx 10km to the south-west of Nairn). You can do this by car, or you can cycle your bike there and use our return bus transfer service to get you back to Nairn. We will also re-connect you with your bike at the finish of the event.

Price and what is included

Standard race entry: £200 per person

This includes:

• Professionally managed and staffed course with full safety cover
• Fully way-marked route
• Finishers’ Tee Shirt
• Finisher Photo Memento
• No fee to change participant details until 14 days of the event
• Free overnight camping at Fort Augustus mid-point (Participant to supply camping equip)
• Provision of kayaks, buoyancy aids and paddles for kayak stages
• Transport of participant’s kit bag from Start line to overnight mid-point, and from mid-point to Finish line
• Transport of participant’s bike from Fort William transition to Glencoe finish if required
• Light meal at finish line
• Electronic chip timing
• Race commemorative memento
• Race after-party

Standard race entry does not include transport to and from the start or finish areas at Nairn or Glencoe or food during the event.

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