Nokia Coast To Coast Adventure Challenge To Cross Scotland In A Weekend
News Release / 09.06.2010
Take two legs, one bike, a kayak and 109 miles of the most breathtaking landscape in Britain and you have the ultimate multisport race - the Nokia Coast to Coast - which takes place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September 2010.
Open to all adventurers with a reasonable level of fitness racing as a solo or in pairs, the Nokia Coast to Coast Challenge is to cross Scotland in a weekend. There is a marathon worth of running and trekking; some on and off road mountain biking and a breathtaking kayak all the way to the finish line. The route takes in some of the most iconic locations and amazing views in the Scottish Highlands: Loch Ness, the Great Glen, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe.
This latest addition to the adventure race calendar, from Rat Race Events, is part of 'The Nokia Outdoor Series' (url www.nokiaoutdoorseries.co.uk) - a range of events to celebrate the great outdoors, giving family and friends the opportunity to enjoy being active in some of the UK's most spectacular locations.
Sandwiched between the wilds of the North Sea and the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean the raw and rugged beauty of the Highlands, one of the most stunning mountain landscapes in the world, creates the perfect backdrop for the truly defining UK multisport challenge.
Starting on Nairn beach, north east of Inverness on the North Sea's Moray Firth coast the Nokia Coast to Coast kicks off with a seven mile trek or run to Cawdor Castle. There the 47 mile bike stage gets underway and heads to Daviot and onwards to the southern shores of Loch Ness. With a quick paddle in a sit-on-top kayak and a brief run, the day one course is completed with 56 miles completed.
Rising early in Fort Augustus on day two, the bikes come out again and it's time to gear up for some quality miles on the rough stuff, mixing up road and off road riding, for 37 miles via Fort William to the transition area at Glen Nevis. Following the Ben Nevis Tourist Route, fourteen of the last fifteen miles to Glencoe are covered on foot before a final push in kayaks across Loch Leven to the finish at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish.
Sound too easy? Hardcore athletes can leave the rest to get a head start on the Saturday and complete a tougher course in 13 hours of daylight on Sunday. For those inspired by the challenge but not quite ready to cross the whole country a Nokia Coast to Cawdor 10k starts at Nairn and traces the route of the River Nairn to Cawdor Castle. It features on and off road sections and is predominantly classed as a trail run.
Double Olympic Gold Medal rower James Cracknell, who has faced challenges crossing the Atlantic Ocean and racing to the South Pole, has already carried out a recce on the route as part of the organising team. Reviewing the proposed course he said: 'The Highlands of Scotland are synonymous with majestic mountains, sweeping Loch views and brooding glens. The Nokia Coast to Coast delivers a tour-de-force of this rugged landscape comparable to anything in the world. The natural assets of the region, coupled with its fascinating human history and varied terrain, make for a truly evocative landscape and the perfect multi sport challenge.'
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