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Up for the Coast to Coast Challenge

Marty Lee (Team Top Bananas) / 29.09.2010

So, you think you are pretty decent on a bike, can run and are up for a challenge? Well, the Nokia Coast to Coast 2010 race should have been right up your street to test the limits of how 'pretty decent' you really are.

The format was simple - start in Nairn; finish in Glencoe. On the way, you run; bike and kayak your way down the Great Glen, following a waymarked route, so no navigation challenges for those who suffer from map dyslexia.

The organisers (RatRaceAdventure) offered a couple of different classes for you to choose from - a two day 'Challenger' category (overnight stop in Fort Augustus); a single day 'Racer' class and a single day 'Expert' class, the latter including more kayaking.

With Autumn in Scotland not being the most reliable time for good weather (some would argue that's a year-round thing) and just over 100 miles end to end in distance, it was rather surprising to find that the race sold out, with 1000 people taking part in this inaugural year of running.

The majority of participants (about 750) opted for the two day Challenger class; about 200 or so in the 'Racer' and the 'Expert' class of about 40 containing a good proportion the 'Who's-who' of UK adventure racing. The Expert field had to provide their own logistical support, including kayak's; the rest of us in Racer and Challenger classes were supported by the event staff and used the sit-on-top kayaks for our water based debauchery.

Race wise, the course was split into a series of legs as follows:

- Run (approx 10km)
- Road cycle (77km)
- Kayak + Run (3km)
- Road + Offroad cycle (50km)
- Trek/Run (mostly off road) (23km)
- Kayak (2km)

The 'Challengers' set off on Saturday morning, so by the time we arrived on Saturday afternoon, the majority of them had already finished in Fort Augustus; already having completed the first 3 stages. The weather on the way up was cold and wet, so fingers were crossed that the forecast of better weather would prevail for Sunday.

With 100 miles (160km+) of way marked course ahead of us, Top Bananas rocked up to the start line. Jon and Chris had entered themselves into the 'Expert' class, ably assisted by their partners; I opted for the 'Racer' class - partially due to not having my own suitable kayak, but more realistically, because with all the top AR guys going into the Expert class, I thought I would do better in the 'Racer' class, with the rest of the public!

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