Overview
Completed over the 2 days; pairs or solos; 105 miles covered; full logistical support; £150 per person
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?
Nokia 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 Nokia Coast to Coast participants will experience the same route, (with a kayaking variation for the Experts). 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 17th
- Registration and kit bag drop open 1200 – 2300 (Nairn)
- Bike Drop open 1200 – 2300 (Cawdor)
Saturday Sep 18th
- Start 0700 (Nairn)
- Finish From 1300 – 1800 (Fort Augustus)
- Day 1 Course closes 2000 (Fort Augustus)
Sunday Sep 19th
- Day 2 Re-Start Any time from 0630 – 0730 (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.
Get kitted out at the RatRaceStore.com with 10% discount on all orders. Simply join the newsletter list by clicking on our link here and we will send you your discount code. Please note, this code cannot be used with any other voucher.
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.
You can now hire bike for £85 with full support and transport at The Rat Race Store
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 will us at Registration at the start area 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. We can also get you and your gear back to Inverness area after the event on the Monday morning, should you require.
Price and what is included
Standard race entry: £150 per person
This includes:
- Professionally managed and staffed course with full safety cover
- Fully way-marked route
- Finishers’ Tee Shirt
- 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, to Finish line
- Transport of participant’s bike from final transition 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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