Hardy walkers brave soaking weather to complete long trek
IT COULD so easily have been glorious sunshine and clear blue skies on the day – after all those were the conditions just 24 hours before.
But in the end it was relentless rain and low-lying cloud that obscured some of Scotland’s most majestic scenery.
In either event it was never going to be a walk in the park for those taking part in this year’s Caledonian Challenge.
More than 800 endurance walkers and 250 support staff braved the alternative Scottish summer at the weekend to raise about £300,000 for charity Foundation Scotland.
About 125 teams of walkers from all over the UK and overseas competed in this year’s Caledonian Challenge, comprising two events, a 24-mile walk in 12 hours, and an epic 54-mile hike in 24 hours, both utilising the West Highland Way trail.
Teams started early on Saturday morning and walked through the day and night to complete the challenges.
The expectation is that teams will raise more than £500,000 by the time fundraising closes on July 20. In the 19 years the event has been going charities have benefited by £14 million.
This year The Herald was proud to be media sponsor for the challenge and also entered a four-person team in the 54-mile marathon, finishing 36th.
First-aid teams and hundreds of volunteers from the local community and charities that will receive funds gave their time to make this year’s event a huge success. Among the teams undertaking the 54 were four walkers from investment management firm Baillie Gifford who went under the name Chafe Now, Brag Later! and who raised £2,300.
Team member Donna McKay said: “I think everyone enjoyed the challenge up until the last eight miles. The whole thing was incredibly demanding, but that last push was really, really hard. It was the most difficult challenge of my life.”
Rain soaked the teams along much of the route between Gairlochy, north of Fort William, and Strafillan, just south of Tyndrum. The conditions made the going hard in the final hours, but spirits were undiminished for many.
Fraser Lennox, event director, said: “We have had around 350 volunteers who have worked over the weekend, and we really could not have made this possible without them. We have a great team of marshals who were out from early in the morning, and throughout the weekend.
“This year has been another success, with few incidents. The Red Cross have done a great job in attending to minor injuries and only one person so far has had to be taken to hospital.”
Magnus Llewellin, editor of The Herald, said it had been an honour to lead a team this year, raising more than £8,000 for good causes.
He said: “Foundation Scotland do tremendous work supporting hundreds of grassroots charities across Scotland. The Herald was delighted to play its part in supporting such a wonderful event that benefits so many people in our communities.
“Our team was pushed to the very limits of endurance, but we got through it and all of us feel privileged to have been part of such an inspiring and friendly occasion.”
‘‘ All of us feel privileged to have been part of such an inspiring occasion
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