Q: What is the difference between entering as a solo or as a pair?
A: The only difference is that a pair needs to stay together at all times (the event is not a relay) and they will share a kayak. We will also have prizes for both solo and pair’s categories. Soloists are likely to be asked to share kayaks so that we are able to process volumes of people.
Q. What is the highest point of the course?
A: The highest point is 470m. You will reach this point on foot when you ascend the pass on the last trekking stage
Q: What is the route profile?
A: Click here for the route profile.
Q: Do I need to provide a bike for the event?
A: Yes, you do need provide your own bike. If you do not have a bike, you can hire one from us. Please see below.
Q: How do I get my bike to the transition area at Cawdor Castle?
A: The transition area at Cawdor It is NOT in Nairn, but some 7 miles to the South West. To drop off your bike, you have 4 options:
- If you are bringing your bike with you and you have a car, you can drop it off at Cawdor Castle in advance of the event on the Friday for Challengers and the Saturday for Racers and Experts. We will let you know the exact drop-off times that the transition will be open, by early July.
- If you are bringing a bike, but have no car (i.e. you have come by plane or train) you can cycle your bike to Cawdor Castle (a very pleasant little journey on minor roads) and you can then return to Nairn either on foot (7 miles), which will give you the opportunity to reconnoitre the first part of the route (in reverse!) or you can take our transfer bus from Cawdor back to Nairn, which will run regularly on Friday and Saturday. There will be small charge for this service and bus times will be published by early July.
- If you want to use your own bike for the event, but do not want to travel with it to Scotland,you can send your bike using courier. We suggest you let us know, and we’ll offer some guidance. Couriering your bike to Cawdor Castle and uplift from Isles of Glencoe might be possible, and we can help there, but first we’d like to see what the demand is. Remember that this would require the packaging to travel from Cawdor Castle to Isles of Glencoe – it would need to be a robust packaging medium and require venue participation. So email us HERE with ‘Post the Bike’ in the subject line, if you see this might be your chosen solution. Remember that we are hiring and handling the hire bikes throughout, so perhaps this is the slickest solution for some of you.
- If you hire a bike from the Rat Race Store, the all inclusive price for hire includes the transport of the bike for you, from Nairn (the Registration venue) to Cawdor and uplift of the bike at the end of the event. See more on this below.
Q: What happens to my bike at the end of the event?
A: You will drop your bike for the final time at the Glen Nevis transition, near Fort William, during the event. From here, we will transport bikes to the finish line at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel, using trucks. The bikes will then be available for you to pick up at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. Exact times for arrival of the bikes at Glencoe cannot be given at this stage and more information will be made available on this by early July.
Q: What kind of bike should I choose?
A: If you are entering Challenger or Racer classes, you will use the same bike throughout your day, each day of the event. 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 of this event; that’s for sure. We do not allow you to switch types of bike along the route as we want the Challenger and Racer categories to be as pure as possible; this also helps not to encourage support from others en route, outside of the designed transition areas. See our Latest News for information on trail characteristics.
Q: Are there any more accommodation packages available?
A: Unfortunately we have sold out all official event accommodation packages. There is however a wealth of accommodation available at Nairn, at the finish area around Glencoe/ Ballachulish and there is also accommodation available at Fort Augustus, should you wish to get a bed for the night at the mid-point, instead of camping at our free camp site. For more information on accommodation options please visit: www.visitscotland.com/guide/where-to-stay/. For accommodation options specifically around Nairn, try www.visitnairn.com and for accommodation around the finish line area, check out www.outdoorcapital.co.uk.
Q: What facilities are available at the campsite in Fort Augustus?
A: Our free camp site is provided for all Challenger class participants. Camping space, showers and toilets are provided, plus there will be on-site caterers from which you may purchase food. There are pubs, restaurants and a minimarket in Fort Augustus too. It’s a small place and easy to get around from the camp site.
Q: If I am entered into the Challenger class, do I HAVE TO camp at Fort Augustus?
A: You don’t have to camp. We have provided a free camping service for you should you wish and there will be a great atmosphere in the camp with loads of Coast to Coast Challengers bedding down for the night, but should you wish to bag something a bit cosier in Fort Augustus or close by, that is fine. The official event hotel accommodation options in Fort Augustus have sold out, however there does exist a good choice of small hotels and B and Bs in the town. Any arrangement/ booking you make with a local hotel must be your own responsibility.
Q: Will there be water station on the course?
A: Yes, there will be water station at each transition.
Q: What gear do I need to carry on the route and what gear will the event transport for me?
A: The mandatory kit lists are published for each category in the website pages. View Challenger kit here, Racer kit here and Expert kit here. You must follow these rules.
Challenger: If you are a Challenger participant, the event will transport an overnight bag (including a tent and sleeping bag, if you are camping) to Fort Augustus and from Fort Augusts to the Finish. This will be available for you on your arrival in Fort Augustus. Bags must be soft (e.g. a rucksack or a duffel; no suitcases please) and there will be a maximum size. This will be advised by early July. Your bike will be transported once during the event, from the final transition area at Glen Nevis to the finish line at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. Other than that, you are responsible for the movement of your bike to and from the event.
Racer: if you are entered as Racer, you may also leave a bag with us at Registration in Nairn which we will transport from Start to Finish (not to Fort Augusts). Bags must be soft (e.g. a rucksack or a duffel; no suitcases please) and there will be a maximum size. This will be advised by early July. Your bike will be transported once during the event, from the final transition area at Glen Nevis to the finish line at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. Other than that, you are responsible for the movement of your bike to and from the event.
Expert: The expert class has no logistical support from the event. No bags are transported, no bikes are transported and you must use your own kayak. Your support team must make arrangements for all access to kit during the race and there are rules about when and where this can occur. More information will be provided by the end of June.
Q: Where is the start?
A: Please click here to view Start Location.
Q: What is the location of Registration?
A: The Registration is located in Nairn Community Centre. Post code: IV12 4BQ. Please click here to view the Registration Location.
Q: Is it possible to book a bus back from the Finish Line back to Inverness or Nairn?
A: Yes, the event is providing a transfer service for those who want to travel back to Inverness or Nairn after the event. The service will transport you, your kit and your bike. The price is £30 per person and the transfer will take you to Inverness City Centre (train and bus station), Inverness airport or Nairn town centre. The transport will leave on Sunday 19th September from the Isles of Glencoe Hotel at 22:00 or Monday 20th September at 10:00. You can book either one of these transfer packages via the online entry system (when entering the event) or if you have entered already and want to book this, you can send us an email to request it and pay over the phone. Email us here.
Approximate journey times are:
Isles of Glencoe to Inverness City Centre: 2 hrs
Isles of Glencoe to Inverness airport: 3 hrs
Isles of Glencoe to Nairn: 4 hrs
These journey times allow for unloading of bikes and baggage at each stop and are approximate. Please plan accordingly.
Q: What are the cut off times?
- 1530 Challenger CUT OFF at Claggan (Fort William). If you do not arrive at this transition by 1530 you will not be allowed to start the last trekking section.
- 630 Expert/Racer CUT OFF at Claggan (Fort William). If you do not arrive at this transition by 1630 you will not be allowed to start the last trekking section.
- 1930 Final Kayak Stage: No access to Starting. If you do not start the kayak stage by 1930 you will be transported to the Finish.
A: There will be couple of CUT OFF times. Please see below:
Q: I would like to use my cycling shoes during the bike stage and running shoes during the run/trek stage. What do I do with my spare pair of shoes?
A: If you choose to take a spare pair of shoes you will need to carry them with you in your rucksack. The only exceptions are at Cawdor Castle where you can leave your cycling shoes attached to your bike (when dropping off your bike) and Fort William transition when you will be able to leave your cycling shoes ATTACHED to your bike (for us to transport).
