Countdown begins to Mark Beaumont’s epic Wild About Argyll adventure
HE’S TAKEN on the world, broken records, set global firsts and become renowned for his ultra endurance adventures – and from July 24 for 12 days – Mark Beaumont takes on his latest adventure, Wild About Argyll.
Masterminded by Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC), Wild About Argyll is a multi-sport challenge which will see Mark undertake numerous disciplines over 12 days across the area. As well as running, Mark will cycle, kayak, fell run, mountain bike, wild swim, sail, horse ride and quad bike his way across the region. If that wasn’t enough, every day will include an ‘epic’ adventure. Whether that’s kayaking 30km along part of Argyll’s Sea Kayak Trail, fell running the Paps of Jura or taking on the 140km Mull Sportive route, there is no doubt that this adventure will be a real challenge.
Mark has spent the past decade taking on world records and global firsts in ultra endurance. Best known as a cyclist, he circumnavigated the globe, taking a staggering 82 days off the previous world record, pedalled the length of the Americas and recently smashed the Cairo to Cape Town record. Off the bike, Mark has filmed numerous BBC documentaries and presented for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Closer to home in recent months, Mark has cycled the North Coast 500 in 37 hours and launched the Hebridean Way by cycling its 185mile length in 24 hours.
If these superhuman feats of endurance find you longing to hear more, then you can join Mark at the Corran Halls on the evening of August 3 for his ‘Round the World and Back to Argyll’ talk. Tickets are on sale now. Having spent the first two years of his life in Kintyre, the talk will focus on his international adventures, his charity work and, of course, his Wild About Argyll challenge. The following morning Mark will head to Colonsay where he will complete his final epic adventure – running the island’s MacPhies – 22 peaks above 300 feet over 20 miles.
‘I can’t wait to explore Argyll and the Islands. This will be the biggest adventure of my year. I am proud to have spent my early years living in Argyll and I know there is a lot that I haven’t seen. To have the opportunity to film and photograph this wonderful adventure playground will be spectacular.’
AITC director Calum Ross explained more about the Wild About Argyll adventure saying: ‘We believe Argyll and the Isles is the perfect adventure destination and we’re delighted to have someone of Mark Beaumont’s calibre to showcase what we have to offer to a global audience. Afterwards we will be working with Mark to appraise how to lift our adventure credentials even higher.’
Follow Mark’s tracker on exploreargyll.co.uk as the adventure unfolds and chat with him on social media on @MrMarkBeaumont.
AITC is very grateful for the funding and in kind support provided by Argyll and Bute Council, Sustrans, Caledonian MacBrayne, ScotRail, Oban Airport, Scottish Natural Heri- tage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Canals, HIE and VisitScotland, and to the many businesses and organisations supporting each day’s activities.