About Us

The Nairnshire Challenge

The Nairnshire Challenge is a 30-mile duathlon (12.3 miles on foot, 17.7 miles on bike) covering the length of Nairnshire from the highest, most southern point to the most northern point by the sea.  The journey begins on tracks across the wilderness of the Dava Moor on Cawdor Estate.  At Drynachan Lodge participants change over to their bikes and follow a picturesque route on public roads through wooded Nairnshire to the seashore at Nairn.

The Rotary Club of Nairn

The Challenge is organised by the Rotary Club of Nairn, which is an entirely voluntary organisation and a member of Rotary International.   The purposes of the Challenge are to raise money primarily for local charities through each team collecting their own sponsorship, and for each team member to derive enjoyment from meeting the personal challenge of reaching the finishing line.  All sponsorship money raised goes into the Rotary Club of Nairn's Charitable Trust.

Key Facts

It costs about £15,000 to put on the Challenge which is covered by team entry fees and direct support from commercial sponsors.  The registration fee (currently £60 per team of three) is not refundable.  Any surplus is added to the Charitable Fund.

The first Challenge in 1997 was organised with the threefold purpose of providing a personal fitness challenge to the local community, of raising money for local charities, and to have fun.  With that in mind the Challenge was not conceived as a race and we deliberately still say it is not a race.

Entry is in teams of three and each team is asked to raise a minimum of £150 sponsorship. Over £360,000 has been raised in 12 years.