A TEAM from Watson Seeds have won the 2016 RSABI Great Glen Challenge, beating 22 other teams to take the top spot.

The national event, which raises funds for Scotland’s rural charity, was held last Friday along a multi-sport 46 kilometre course from Fort Augustus to Fort William, with 92 competitors from 23 organisations throughout the Scottish agricultural and rural business sector competing.

Competitors in teams of four plus a support driver mountain biked, kayaked, walked and ran their way through the Great Glen against the clock. The route put the teams through their paces throughout the day, culminating in a 17km run to the finishing line for the last group of competitors. Two teams from land agents CKD Galbraith took second and third place overall.

The challenge was sponsored once again by Ledingham Chalmers, solicitors and supported by a range of partners including Royal Bank of Scotland, CKD Galbraith, Bank of Scotland, NFU Scotland and media sponsor, The Scottish Farmer.

As well as aiming to win the Great Glen Challenge team trophy, participating organisations and businesses compete to reach the highest fundraising total. Funds raised from this year’s event will go towards RSABI’s current campaign ‘Help us help them’, which runs to Spring 2017 in an effort to address aspects of rural poverty.

Whilst Watson Seeds have won the physical challenge, the fundraising race is not yet over and donations can still be made at www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/RSABIGGC16 with the total raised for the one day event so far standing at an impressive £34,500.

Event organiser, RSABI’s Paul Tinson, said: “Congratulations to the team from Watson Seeds who worked fantastically well together to prevail – we were also delighted to welcome a number of new teams to the Glen this year including an impressive contingent of five NFU Mutual office teams from up and down the country. They have all done their bit to raise important funds.

“It was challenging day in the Great Glen with heavy rain and a strong prevailing wind, but thankfully we enjoyed some sunshine at the finish for all our fantastic teams!”

Lead partner at Ledingham Chalmers, Allan Collie, presented the trophy to the winning team and commented: “Ledingham Chalmers is proud to be the headline sponsor of this fantastic event for RSABI. The Great Glen Challenge raises essential funds that help so many people throughout rural Scotland – it was a day of great fun and endeavour for all the competitors with Watson Seeds from East Lothian coming through admirably in the end”.