RSABI challenges the Great Glen

This is the sixth year the sponsored challenge has taken place, and it attracted a record number of teams, 27 in total, all from rural businesses which support the work of RSABI.

That meant there were cyclists, walkers, kayakers and runners touring their way down from Fort Augustus toward Fort William against the clock.

If participants thought they were out for the day on an office jolly they were in for a shock as it’s not for the faint hearted. The cyclists take on a 46km trail along the Lochside; the kayakers paddle for 6km then have a timed speed trial to contend with; the walkers have 18km to get through and finally the runners have a 17km gallop to finish off the day.

RSABI are delighted that each year new teams take part, keeping the competition element of the day alive, as some of the competitors have been taking part from the first year, their legs aren’t getting any younger, (not that I’m suggesting that The Scottish Farmer team needs fresh blood, as we came a respectable fourth place.)

A few changes to the course layout with a few tweaks along the way kept everyone on their toes until the end of the day when the competitors gather at the finish line and enjoy the award ceremony.

Points are calculated from each participant and added to the team total – in second place was Laurance Gould Partnership and in third place was Soil Essentials Ltd.

This year along with the legitimate awards for the first three teams there were a few new ones including the wooden spoon award for the team with the least points, that being Davidson and Robertson (team white), which gives the company the unique position of being in first and last position on the day.

Also picking up an award was the Scottish Farmer’s marketing manager David Boyle, who was presented with a bottle of wine for being the competitor who has managed to get lost more than anyone else over the years – a compass may have been a more useful prize!

Since the launch of RSABI Great Glen Challenge five years ago, the event has raised close to £200,000 enabling RSABI to keep providing emotional and financial assistance to individuals and their families across the agricultural sector, including farming, crofting and growing.

RSABI’s Paul Tinson, who founded the event in 2012 and co-ordinated this year’s challenge said: “Congratulations to the team from Davidson and Robertson who worked superbly well together to take home the 2017 trophy. They obviously had all the bases covered, with another of their teams seizing the wooden spoon as well!

“We were delighted to welcome a number of new teams to the Glen this year, with a record number of team entrants. They have all done their bit to raise important funds.”

He continued:“The race itself wasn’t without incident this year. From a case of heat exhaustion to an alleged dunk in the canal at the end, the participants kept all our volunteer stewards on their toes throughout the race. Thankfully, however, all 108 competitors made it home and, unlike in previous years, nobody got lost!”

Funds raised by this year’s challenge event teams will help support people in Scottish agriculture, and those wishing to donate can still do so at www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/RSABIGGC17. The current total is standing at £38,000 with donations still open for another few weeks and a target in place to raise £50,000.

Results:

Run:

1, Dominic Wedderburn, Galbraith, Cupar; 2, Martin Rennie, Laurence Gould Partnership; 3, Gordon Davidson, The Scottish Farmer.

Mountain Bike:

1, Kenny Waring, Soil Essentials; 2, George Gauley, SAC Consulting Solutions; 3, James Towers, Galbraith Graduates.

Kayaking:

1, Murray Philp – Davidson and Robertson (Team Teal); Equal 2nd place, Doug Woods, Soil Essentials; Ewan Simpson, Hawick Veterinary Practice.

Walk:

Joint 1st Martin Hall, Davidson and Robertson (Team Teal); Andrew McDonald, Laurence Gould Partnership.

Left to right: Fiona Mackay, Kirsten Tait, Murray Philp, Jim Drysdale (Partner, Ledingham Chalmers), Derek Bathgate and Martin Hall