Scotland’s biggest endurance walking event, The Cateran Yomp, is keen to encourage more women to sign up to take part in 2019.
The event, which follows one of Scotland’s Great Trails in the foothills of the Cairngorms, has signed up a female ambassador, Major Sandy Hennis.
Major Hennis was part of the 2018 Expedition Ice Maiden, which saw a group of six British soldiers become the first women to ski across Antarctica using muscle power alone.
They skied an incredible 1100 miles in 61 days across uneven and frequently treacherous ice in temperatures as low as -40.
Major Sandy Hennis wants more women to take part in the Cateran Yomp.
Major Hennis said: “I’m excited and honoured to be so closely involved with the fantastic endurance event, the Cateran Yomp. I want to see lots more women taking part in the Cateran Yomp in 2019.”
What is the Cateran Yomp?
The 2019 Cateran Yomp takes place on June 8 and 9, 2019. It calls on teams of three to six participants to yomp – the military term of a long-distance march – 54 miles (Gold), 36 miles (Silver) or 22 miles (Bronze) in 24 hours. The walking event takes place on the Cateran Trail.
It will be the ninth edition of the Cateran Yomp with both civilians and soldiers walking side by side through some of Scotland’s best landscapes in the Perthshire hills and Angus Glens.
The hiking challenge event raises money for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
Take advantage of a discount code for the Cateran Yomp.
Call out for more female Yompers
Last year, only a quarter of the 1000 Cateran Yomp walkers were female. This year organisers want to increase this figure.
The 2019 ambassador Major Hennis said: “The Cateran Yomp is renowned for taking participants to their physical and mental limits and I know from personal experience the benefits that come with really stretching yourself.
“Taking part in the Ice Maiden Expedition, I discovered that it’s possible to push yourself much further than you ever imagine.
“At the start of the Ice Maidens training, the six of us thought crossing Antarctica using only our own muscle power was an impossible challenge – but we achieved it.
“With planning, training and breaking the expedition into manageable chunks, the impossible became possible. And the same principles apply to taking part in the Cateran Yomp.”
Major Hennis took on the Ice Maiden challenge.
Major Hennis is especially keen to encourage more women to sign up for the 2019 event.
She said: “Before I went to Antarctica, I noticed a lack of confidence among girls and women when it comes to physical endeavours. We all have fears but we can all get over them.
“For example, part of my Ice Maiden training involved cutting a hole in a frozen lake, skiing into the freezing cold water and staying there until I was on the verge of hypothermia.
“On my return from Antarctica, I vowed to inspire other women to get out there and do things they wouldn’t normally attempt.
“I want to encourage as many people as possible, especially women, to sign up for endurance events.
“The Yomp has proven to improve participants’ self-reliance, confidence and fitness. But it’s also about experiencing the headspace and freedom that comes with being in the mountains.
“It’s important to never be put off by others or to give up on your dreams – and taking part in the Cateran Yomp is an excellent way of proving just what you can do when you set your mind to it.”
Major Hennis (seen here on the ship RRS Discovery) is hoping that more women will enter the Cateran Yomp this year. Credit: Alan Richardson
Cateran Yomp charity boost
The Cateran Yomp raises money for a charity close to the heart of Major Hennis. Before becoming a Reservist officer with 37 Signal Regiment, she was in the regular Army
She said: “For me, being involved in an event that has raised more than £3 million in the last eight years for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a bonus.
“The Soldiers’ Charity helps hundreds of thousands of people across the Army family, through individual grants and funding to other charities delivering support on their behalf.”
Hike the Cateran Yomp for charity in 2019.
Cateran Yomp entry discount
The organisers are offering a motivational discount to encourage you to enter the 2019 Cateran Yomp. Use the code FIONA at the checkout and you’ll receive £10 off the early bird registration fee making it £70 to sign up (£50 for military).
This covers your registration fee, a three-month training guide, all food, drinks, entertainment and camping if required at the event on June 8 to 9.
If you use this code before February 28, 2019, you’ll save £29 off the full registration fee of £99.
After February 28, the full registration fee is £99 per person and £80 for military / veterans.
To enter see: 2019 Cateran Yomp.