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From Parade to Prologue

Rob Howard / 20.08.2005

Teams arrived at the Nevis Sports Centre at 11.00 am for registration, some coming from the ‘Aztec Village’ campsite set up on the outskirts of town, others from accommodation in Fort William. By this time the dense early morning mist which had obscured all signs of the surrounding mountains, had burnt off and the sun was breaking through.

For the next couple of hours the teams would be inside the sports hall, receiving their welcome briefing from Race Director Phil Humphreys and watching a video about the mountains of Lochaber. If the morning mist was a reminder of the vagaries of the Scottish weather, the aerial photography of Ben Nevis and Glen Coe left them in no doubt of the steepness and difficulty of the terrain they’d have to cross. “The distance looks small for an expedition race,� said Marco Ponteri, “but I think we will be going up and down a lot!�

There was no hint as to where there would be going from Humphrey’s yet, the course won’t be revealed until the full race briefing tomorrow afternoon. He introduced the course designer Gary Tompsett, and other key staff, welcomed the teams and told them to be ready to parade through the town in mid-afternoon, and for a prologue at 20.00. Between these they fitted in the first of the technical and skill testing sessions.

At 14.00 everyone assembled in the sunshine to parade up Fort William High Street, where the race start banner and a stage had been set up. A local pipe and drum band lead the way with the teams following behind, some waving their national flags, others carrying sponsors banners or wearing their team kit. It was a colourful procession which ended in Cameron Square in the middle of the High Street, and after Humprheys had thanked Fort William for hosting the race, each team climbed up on stage to introduce themselves.

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