The Wilderness ARC
The Quest for the ARC
Rob Howard / 22.05.2006
World-class adventure racing teams from the UK and overseas are now it the final countdown to The Wilderness ARC, the UK\'s toughest endurance race, the British Championship and part of the Adventure Racing World Series. The race will take place in and around Fort William, known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK, and the mountainous region of Lochaber from Monday 29th May until Saturday 3rd June, 2006 and defending champions Team Aberdeen Asset Management face some tough competition for their British title and the prize of a free place in this year’s World Championship, to be held in Sweden in August.
In total 19 teams will battle it out, totally unsupported, over a rugged and hugely demanding 400 km (250 mile) course. This will include 15,000 metres of ascent in some of the most spectacular terrain in the Scottish Highlands, paddling (and swimming) in the deep lochs, and rope stages in the canyons and cliffs of the glens.
Last year\'s winners Team Aberdeen Asset Management are joined by Tom Gibbs and Helen Jackson, two of the UK\'s toughest endurance athletes. The squad, which boasts a formidable international track record, will be aiming to defend its title in the face of powerful and fierce competition from Total Adventure, The North Face, newcomers Team Superfeet and Sweden\'s awesome squad Team PS Communication, led by Magnus Persson who completed a phenomenal, record-breaking manhaul on skis to the North Pole in 2000.
The event, which will host next year’s World Championship, is strongly supported by a number of Scottish agencies. David Williams, Chief Executive of EventScotland commented: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with VisitScotland, the Highland Council, Highland 2007 and the Outdoor Capital of the UK to ensure that the 2006 event is a perfect dress rehearsal for the AR World Championships in 2007. It builds on the massive success of the inaugural event in 2005 which attracted competitors and spectators from all over the world, in addition to a wealth of positive feedback�.See All Event Posts
