Get yourself a goal: Part III

More fabulous Scottish events to keep you training through the winter. Some of these No Fuss events take place during the chilly season, while others will give you a goal for when the temperatures rise again. Also see Get Yourself a Goal and Get Yourself a Goal Part II

The No Fuss Events 2011 Calendar

January 15: Winter Feast Duathlon Series

What: The Appetiser, Glencoe

Tell me more: A duathlon for beginners. Duathlon is cycling and running! The course is mostly flat and sometimes undulating. It includes a 5km Trail Run followed by 15km off road cycle (as oppose to technical mountain bike event) and a 5km Trail Run.

February 19: Winter Feast Duathlon Series

What: The Main Course, Arisaig

Tell me more: This duathlon has been designed for those beginners who want to step up the distance a little without too much discomfort. The course starts with a 10km run or walk (trail or beach), then a 22km cycle (road), and then a 5km run or walk at the finish. This is ideal for individuals and teams.

March 19: The Wee Triathlon

Where: Lochaber

Tell me more: A pool-based triathlon with a 400m swim, followed by a 10-mile mountain bike in Glen Nevis and a three-mile cross country run. The bike course is perfect for beginner mountain bikers and race hungry triathletes alike. Book early to avoid disappointment as entries are limited to 80.

April 9: Winter Feast Duathlon Series

What: The Big Pudding, venue to be confirmed

Tell me more: This is the biggy! But it’s still do-able if you have done the training. It starts with a 7km run/walk, followed by a 22km cycle and then the big 4.5km run or walk finish. Awesome fun.

Mountain biking at Nevis Range, Fort William

May 1: Macavalanche

Tell me more: No Fuss have teamed up with Glencoe Mountain (www.glencoemountain.com) to launch a Scottish version of one of the worlds most famous events the Megavalanche. Find out more

May 21: 10 Under The Ben

Tell me more: The 10 Under series is a must-do for all mountain bike enthusiasts. It comprises a 10-hour endurance event where individuals or teams of 2, 3 or 4 complete as many laps of a 10 mile course as they can in 10 hours.

May 22: Trail Half Marathon and 5km Fun Run

Where: Nevis Range.

Tell me more: An off-road running event with a course that will provide stunning views of the Grey Corries and the Great Glen throughout the 21.1km course.

July 9: 10 @ Kirroughtree

Tell me more: The 10 Under series is a must-do for all mountain bike enthusiasts. It comprises a 10-hour endurance event where individuals or teams of 2, 3 or 4 complete as many laps of a 10 mile course as they can in 10 hours.

July 10: Trail Half Marathon and 5km Fun Run

Where: Newton Stewart.

Tell me more: New for 2011 is an off-road running event at the 7 stanes Kirroughtree. The main event if the off-road half marathon (13 miles).

July 16: 10 In The Glen

Tell me more: The 10 Under series is a must-do for all mountain bike enthusiasts. It comprises a 10-hour endurance event where individuals or teams of 2, 3 or 4 complete as many laps of a 10 mile course as they can in 10 hours

July 16: Glen Nevis River Race

July 23: Endurance Downhill

Where: Nevis Range, Fort William.

Tell me more: Staged on the world renowned downhill track at Nevis Range this event is one of the longest and most physically demanding courses on the international mountain bike circuit. You’ll have six hours to do as many runs as you can.

The Big Triathlon

September 10: The Big Ben Nevis Triathlon

Where: Ben Nevis, Fort William

Tell me more: This event has become iconic to No Fuss and to many it is acclaimed as the UK’s toughest triathlon. The challenge is a 1900m sea loch swim, 90km mountain bike and 21km hill run to the summit of Ben Nevis and back.

September 10: Half Big Ben Nevis Triathlon

Tell me more: As above but shorter!  Phew! A 950m swim, 45km mountain bike section and 11km run to the halfway point on Ben Nevis and back.

September 11: Highland Warrior Triathlon

Where: Outdoor Capital of the UK

Tell me more: Fort William 70.3 was staged for the first time in 2010 and has proved it has the potential to become a legendary race. Expect a 1900m sea loch swim, a 90km road bike on a stunningly scenic course and a 13.1km run in Glen Nevis.

September 24: Tour de Ben Nevis

Tell me more: The race that takes mountain biking back to the mountains. This is the No Fuss ultimate MTB challenge for endurance athletes and people with a sense of adventure. The event see riders circumnavigating Ben Nevis starting from Fort William, at the heart of the Outdoor Capital of the UK. It is a 72km journey of discovery.

October 8: Relentless 24

Where: Nevis Range and Lochaber Rural Complex.

Tell me more: The Relentless24 will take place on the world renowned Witch’s Trail and World Championships courses in the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Leanachan Forest with the event hub being based at Nevis Range, Fort William.Beginning with a Le Mans-style racing start, more than 400 riders will battle it out on cross-country trails. The event starts at lunchtime and heads into the night, with the finish the following day at noon.  Mental stuff but highly rewarding (apparently!).

Now I can’t decide which events to do and how many!

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