The Heb - Race on the Edge
New Tricks
Carrick Armer / 02.09.2016
Adventure racing in the Outer Hebrides is not a new thing. From the Western Isles Challenge, through the Hebridean Challenge, through the HeB2B, and now 'The Heb', AR is making its way back to one of the wildest and most loved pieces of turf in the UK, under the watchful eye of Celtman creators Durty Events, race director Paul McGreal and course planner Gary Tompsett.
The new Heb is designed to be accessible to anyone with a sense of adventure and a modicum of endurance. Touring the less hilly and less navigationally complex Uists, the course looks like it will still be challenging to 90-or-so competitors taking part. There are some old familiar challenges - anyone who raced the older events will remember Eaval on North Uist and the Hecla - Beinn Mhor run on South Uist - but also new ground to cover. The uninhabited tidal island of Vallay will be an entirely new area for a Hebridean race, with competitors crossing the long tidal ford to orienteer round the island (under strict instructions to be back before the tide turns). Similarly, the new Hebridean Way section near Langas will provide its own little challenges. Anyone who has crossed some of the various 'Heritage paths' in the islands will uppreciate the snaking singletrack, vague in places, loose in places, but a perfect wild respresentation of these islands.
The pairs and solos have gathered at Mallaig for the ferry out to Lochboisdale (loading 90 bikes into the official 'space for 12', eating the onboard restaurant out of macaroni cheese, and taking up every single bit of available luggage space) and will begin their race from Lionacleit school on Benbecula in the morning. Weary feet and tired legs will make it to Kilbride campsite at the southern end of South Uist on Sunday afternoon just for that most Hebridean of traditions - the last night ceilidh. Anyone capable will be up and dancing to what the Race Director describes as 'possibly the best accordion player in the world'.
Live race tracking will be up online at http://durtytracking.com/g/g_map.php?event=43 and race reports will be here and on our Facebook page. Slainte Mhath!
SleepMonsters
