In the Sunday Mail on March 13 I reported on the new Heb race. The event is open to all kinds of adventure seekers and promises to be achievable, yet also challenging, for everyone.
The Heb – The Race on the Edge
What is it?: A two-day multi-sport challenge covering 150km in the Outer Hebrides.
Tell me more: The new Heb adventure race is organised by Durty Events and takes place this September over one weekend.
It calls on participants – solo or pairs – to run, mountain bike and kayak across Benbecula, North Uist and South Uist.
The aim is for an adventure event that will be “achievable” to most people, while also offering a challenge for the more experienced.
Paul McGreal, of Durty Events, said: “The Heb is a two-day multi-sport event that will appeal to a wide range of people.
“You could be from a running, cycling, kayaking or general fitness background but you will still be able to take part and enjoy the experience.
“It can be entered as a solo, as a pair of friends or work colleagues and it’s for those who want to do their first endurance event or for people who have done many before and want to experience the fabulous Outer Heb islands.”
While there will be advantages to be gained from good navigational skills, people with less ability with a map and compass can still take part.
Paul said: “Map reading will play a part in the adventure challenge but the aim is for a race that will be achievable for today’s have-a-go racer.
“There will be different routes, checkpoint and navigation options to suit all skills and fitness levels.”
The race is between checkpoints, mostly off-road and on foot, mountain bike and sit-on kayaks.
Day one will start at Benbecula with 100km of racing around North Uist.
Day two will be a 50km route from Benbecula to the southern most point of South Uist.
There will be camping on Benbecula on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Paul is keen to highlight the beauty of the west coast island chain.
He said: “I love the Outer Hebrides and I have always thought it would be a great location for an endurance event.
“It is so beautiful yet so accessible and offers a remote-feel but without being too far form civilization.
“We hope this event will become an annual race for all kinds of sports people.”
Anything else to know: This is a reinvention of a previous five-day Hebridean Challenge.
Paul said: “The original Hebridean Challenge was popular in its day but things have changed and more people want to do shorter events.
“They still want a challenge but with less requirement for high levels of fitness and navigation.
“The race has been off the calendar for many years but now it returns as a more accessible weekend event for a wider range of people.
“It will still be tough but it will be possible for many more people.”
When it is?: Saturday and Sunday September 3 and 4, 2016. Participants will need the 2nd and the 4th for travelling.
The price: The Heb is £250 for solos and £500 for pairs. It includes CalMac ferry fares, camping on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and hot meals on Saturday and Sunday nights, as well as safety crew, maps, logistics, bag transfer and much more.
There are discounts available for Hebrides residents. E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: www.theheb.org, “The Heb – Race on the Edge” on Facebook. Enter the race via online partner, Entry Central.