The 16th NAIRNSHIRE CHALLENGE takes place on SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2013


THE ROTARY CLUB OF NAIRN


Cyclist
Now we're counting the days to the off and we're still receiving entries. Even if you're not in a team, get in touch. We're getting enquiries all the time so we should be able to put you together with others in the same position.

We've just sent out Final Joining Instructions for the event. These are being sent by e-mail to every entrant for whom we have an e-mail address.  If you are a team leader and know of a team member who gave us no e-mail address, please ensure to give them a copy.  DO NOTE THE NEW ARRANGEMENT THIS YEAR - BIKE NUMBERS and PERSONAL BIB NUMBERS WILL BE HANDED TO YOU WHEN YOU DELIVER YOUR BIKE.  Have a great day!

SPECIAL ADVICE: Check here on Saturday 22nd after 8pm. We'll post any last minute changes if the weather forecast for the moors is too bad. Looking good just now!

The Nairnshire Challenge is the third biggest annual event in Nairn's calendar. It's a 30-mile duathlon on foot and bike. It is organised annually by the Rotary Club of Nairn to raise money via sponsorship for charities. Starting at the far end of the Dava Moor competitors cover 12.3 miles on rough tracks through the grouse moors of Cawdor Estate, before changing onto bikes at Drynachan for the 17.3 miles back to Nairn on marshalled single track roads.

It's a well organised event, with transport out to the start, plenty of watering and food stations, and a big cheer from the crowds at the finish line at The Links.

The fastest competitors typically take around 2 hours 15 minutes, the slowest up to 6 hours, but it's the challenge that attracts most competitors, so it really does suit all abilities. There's no shame in walking the foot section then plodding the bike section on an old mountain bike! However you do it, the best bit of the Nairnshire Challenge is that fabulous trail across the remote moors of Nairnshire and the thrilling cycle route through the lanes from Drynachan to the finish line on Nairn links.

We encourage everyone, young or old, dedicated runner and cyclist or casual walker, to take up the Challenge.
 
You can find  results and photos of past events on our results page. A brief report on last year's event and video of 2009 can be found at the foot of this page.

ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?


 

THE CAWDOR ESTATE

The foot section of the Challenge takes place over Cawdor Estate land.  Do look at their website - www.cawdor.com

REPORT ON THE 2012 EVENT

The Nairnshire Challenge was held for the first time in June. Not so many entrants this year. They were rewarded with overcast, damp conditions. At least it reduced the chance of overheating!

First home was Donnie MacDonald of Team Cobra in a very good time of 2:13:41, 2nd Ross Nixon, also of Team Cobra in 2:19.24 and 3rd was Harley Davidson (Yes, honest) in 2:23:53. First lady finisher was Roma Shepherd (2:42:49), 2nd Lorna Bennie (2:48:46) and 3rd Julie Wilson (2:50:50).

A few fine pictures of the finish are available on Flickr courtesy of the Gurn from Nurn, here

Short video of the 2009 event


The Nairnshire Challenge from Iain Fairweather on Vimeo.


JUSTGIVING

The Nairnshire Challenge is registered with Justgiving which makes the raising of sponsorship easier and facilitates the collection of Gift Aid Tax relief from the Government - the sponsorship money that participants raise is increased by 28% when donors qualify for Gift Aid. Participants are able to set up their own sponsorship page on www.justgiving.com