The Heb: A Stunning New Adventure Challenge in The Hebrides

Press Release / 29.02.2016

­Durty Events launch The Heb – Race on The Edge, a new, action packed, two day, 150 km adventure challenge on foot, mountain bike and kayak through the stunningly beautiful Uist Island chain, off the west coast of Scotland, in September 2016.

Durty Events, organisers of award winning multi-sport events throughout Scotland, have today [28/02/16] launched The Heb – Race On The Edge, a new and truly engaging two-day, multi-sport challenge through the Hebridean island chain of Benbecula, North Uist and South Uist, on Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 September 2016.

Those who sign up to The Heb, competing as solos or in pairs, will find themselves on the ultimate 150km journey, made up of mainly off-road running and mountain biking with a bit of kayaking and some sections of easy navigation, through the most incredible, culture-steeped, wild, beautiful and remote landscape off the west coast of Scotland.

With all the active adventure, excitement, camaraderie and fun to make it a tough but achievable and thoroughly enjoyable challenge, The Heb has been designed to suit everyone from seasoned racers and enthusiastic and fit newcomers to the world of multi-sport, to groups of friends and work mates ready to take on an active challenge at the next level.

Using the latest GPS tracking technology Durty Events are making it possible to follow the athletes live online as they progress around The Heb course.  From the comfort of their own home, on phone, tablet or computer, friends, family and supporters will be able to watch all of the action as this exciting race unfolds.

At The Heb the athletes will be racing for two long days. Benbecula will be the starting point for the 100km route round North Uist on day one (03 September 2016) with a shorter 50km route taking athletes to the southern most point of South Uist on Day 2 (04 September 2016); in time for the event party celebrations.  However to make it more achievable for everyone the race will be stopped at the end of day one at one of the island communities, allowing for a well earned refuel and ‘battery charge’.  Organisers will provide great hot meals on Saturday and Sunday nights; as well as a place to pitch a tent for a good night’s sleep on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Paul McGreal from Durty Events, organisers of The Heb – Race On The Edge, said: “The Heb – Race On The Edge is a tough but achievable multi-sport challenge, staged in the ultimate outdoor playground of the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. This action packed adventure will be extremely easy to take part in. With an overnight stay in a single location on day one, race logistics sorted by the event team and time adjusted route, checkpoint and navigation options to suit all skill and fitness levels we have placed the emphasis firmly on participation, enjoyment and fun for all.

“We want everyone to have a great time, finish at a reasonable point on day one, and bite off as much as they can chew (and hopefully a little bit more).  We have therefore designed The Heb in such a way that it will be perfect for experienced multi-sport athletes, works and office teams and fit and active people wanting to give an endurance adventure event a go for the first time in the most stunning location in Scotland.”

Paul McGreal will be joined in the organisation of The Heb – Race On The Edge by Gary Tompsett as course planner. Since 2001 Gary has been involved in the conceptualisation, ground planning and race directorship of almost every major adventure event to be staged in Scotland.  These events include The Hebridean Challenge, Red Bull Northern Exposure, Adrenalin Rush, Wilderness ARC and the Adventure Racing World Championships, and numerous Rat Races. Gary is well known for audacious and flamboyant adventure planning; sometimes quirky, often challenging - always entertaining!

Paul McGreal added: “The massive potential of multi sport-events to showcase the huge range of both outdoor activities and cultural opportunities available to visitors to the Highlands and Islands has attracted the vital partnership of Caledonian MacBrayne to The Heb.  We want to thank them for their huge logistics support, in the transport of both people and equipment between Oban and all of the islands during the event.”

Entries are now open for The Heb – Race On The Edge by Durty Events. Entry fees are £250 for solos and £500 for pairs.  For further information on The Heb event go to:  http://www.theheb.org.

Although The Heb itself is a two-day event those taking part should also allow Friday 2 and Monday 5 September 2016 as travel days; a fantastic four day event journey to be relished.

The Heb on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebchallenge

The Heb Website: http://www.theheb.org

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