Overview

Completed over 1 day – the Saturday; solos only; kayaking experience required; 100 miles covered: requires your own support crew-person with vehicle; £200 regular price per person

The Expert category is for experienced adventure sportspeople, mountain athletes and triathletes looking to complete the full Scotland Coast to Coast route in a day (Saturday 17th Sept). Entries into this category are limited in year 1 to 50 participants. This category predominantly covers the same route as Challenger and Racer, but is SUPPORTED by an athlete’s own support crew-person (with a car or van). It also involves a fantastic open water kayaking stage on Loch Ness. Participants will use their own kayaks throughout and can utilise various bike types. This category is for solo competitors only.

Is this for me?

The Expert category is designed for those who like their multi-sport to involve a healthy dose of kayaking served up within the classic 100+ mile route of the Racer and Challenger categories. You will be an experienced adventure sportsperson, triathlete or mountain athlete and be ready and able to take on a committing kayak stage on Loch Ness, providing your own boat to do so. You will also require a support crew-person and vehicle to undertake the Expert category event.

You need to be at least 18 years old to take part in the event.

IMPORTANT: You will require a BCU 2 star UKCC qualification (or foreign equivalent) to take part in the Expert category. The 2 star is the (2008 onwards) equivalent of the ‘old’ BCU3 star (in any kayak discipline), and this does meet the requirement for this event. Certificates will need to be posted to us pre-event. For any help, please email info@scotlandcoasttocoast.com

Route summary and stage lengths

All Scotland Coast to Coast participants will experience the same route, with the exception that the Experts will undertake a slightly shorter first cycle stage and much longer kayak stage on Loch Ness. You will be supported throughout the journey by your support crew-person, who will allow you access to bikes, boat and other kit only at specified transition areas.

The stage lengths are as follows:

• Trek/Run - 7 miles (5 miles off-road)
• Road Cycle - 34 miles
• Kayak - 11 miles
• Off-Road & Road Cycle - 33 miles (16 miles off-road)
• Trek/Run - 14 miles (12 miles off-road)
• Kayak - 1 mile
• Short run to finish line
• TOTAL JOURNEY - 100 miles

Itinerary

Friday Sep 16th

• Registration open 1300 – 2100 (Nairn)

Saturday Sep 17th

• Start 0615 (Nairn)
• Finish From 1600 – 2000 (Glencoe)
• Post Race Party 2000 – late! (Glencoe)

Kit List

Mandatory Kit:

• Cycle Helmet
• Bicycle
• Full waterproof or windproof body cover
• Warm headgear
• Warm gloves
• Survival bag or blanket
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Whistle
• Additional upper body thermal layer
• Food
• Water
• Kayak, Canoe or Other Boat (See Expert Rules page)
• Buoyancy Aid of min. (60N is recommended. 50N is allowable. Whistle must be fitted.)

Recommended Kit: Running shoes with good sole grip, cycle shorts, shoes and gloves (for kayaking also), puncture repair kit, bike pump, bike lock, tools and accessories, bike water bottle, small rucksack or bumbag with hydration bladder, sunglasses, sunscreen.

As we get closer to the event we all need to be studying the weather forecast. In the event of bad weather we will announce a more stringent mandatory list, so please pack additional items if you are on a holiday trip prior to arriving at the event.

Any detailed kit requirements and specifications for Expert Category kayaking will be announced later.

Having entered an event, and therefore a repeat customer of Rat Race Adventure Sports, you are entitled to 15% off your future purchases during the season across all areas of the Rat Race business. Your confirmation email from your initial purchase will contain a Rat Reward code that you merely enter at check out when buying kit or entering an other event. To shop for kit click here. Or to see the full details of the Rat Reward scheme please click here.

Bike Choices

You will have bike choices throughout the day. It is recommended that a road bike is used for Cycle 1, then a cyclo-cross or mountain bike for Cycle 2. No other bike support/transitions will be allowed.

Price and what is included

Standard race entry: £200 per person

This includes:

• Professionally managed and staffed course with full safety cover
• Fully way-marked course
• Finishers’ Tee Shirt
• Light meal at finish line
• Electronic chip timing
• Race commemorative memento
• Race after-party

Standard race entry does not include transport to and from the start or finish areas at Nairn or Glencoe or food during the event.

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