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Nearly 800 people will take on the Highland Cross


By Neil MacPhail

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The most athletic entrants attempt to challenge the crossing record of three hours 13 minutes and 31 seconds.
The most athletic entrants attempt to challenge the crossing record of three hours 13 minutes and 31 seconds.

THE gruelling duathlon across the Highlands from coast to coast takes place on Saturday for the 35th year.

The Highland Cross will see 795 entrants run, jog or walk 30 miles from Kintail in the west over a 1000ft mountain pass to Glen Affric, before cycling 20 miles to the finish in Beauly.

Originally dubbed the Midsummer Madathon, the Cross involves a remarkable community effort, and five charities from across Highland will benefit.

The event has attracted a mixed field from all over Britain and overseas.

Winner for the past four years, Joe Symonds, is not competing this year, but a strong field includes Michael O’Donnell, Alness, winner of this year’s Nairnshire Challenge, and Gordon Lennox, Invergordon, who was second in 2014 and 2015.

Strong challengers will also be Ewan McCarthy, Kingussie, second last year and in the top three for the past five years, and Sam Hesling, Evanton, third last year and fourth in 2015.

Woman favourite will be Caroline Marwick, Fortrose, the 2016 winner, and Louise Cartmell, Elgin, runner up for the past two years.

Competitors vary hugely in age – from 18 to two competitors aged 83.

Incredibly, more than 50 competitors on Saturday have taken part on 20 or more occasions, with 14 of these having taken part on 30 or more occasions.

The most athletic entrants attempt to challenge the crossing record of 3 hours 13 minutes and 31 seconds set by expatriate Highlander Dr Keith Murray, New Zealand, in 1993 or the female record of 3 hours 48 minutes and 9 seconds set by Angela Mudge in 2007. Less athletic take up to nine hours.

A huge support team makes the day a safe and enjoyable challenge, including the Scottish Ambulance Service, Red Cross, police and fire service, Kintail, Dundonnell and Cairngorm mountain rescue teams, and scores of individuals,

A doctor in an aircraft supplied by PDG Helicopters, Dalcross will be patrolling, with crews from local youth organisations and community groups manning watering stations,

Representatives from over 20 charities that have benefited or will benefit from Highland Cross together with Beauly community and Inverness Harriers, organise the finish.

Organising secretary and co-founder Calum Munro, said: “This is a fantastic community effort designed to generate the maximum benefit for causes in Highland. The participants desperately want to take part and they do a wonderful fundraising job every year.

“However, without the commercial sponsors such as Hawco, McCallum Haulage, R&F Campbell, William Gray Construction Ltd, TOM Vehicle Rental and PDG Helicopters and the co-operation and support of the Forestry Commission, North Affric Estate and the National Trust for Scotland and the hard work of our army of volunteers, Highland Cross could not take place.”

This year’s chosen charities are: Abbeyfield Ballachulish Society, Lochaber; Caberfeidh Horizons, Kingussie; Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team; Shopmobility Highland, Dingwall; and Merkinch Community Centre Association, Inverness

Although teams of three are asked to raise a minimum of £500, last year there was record breaking total of £277,189 – an average of over £1000 per team.


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