Fancy a challenge? Take on The Heb!
Listen up thrill-seekers!
There’s still time to sign up for The Heb – Race on the Edge, a gruelling adventure race which takes place in the Outer Hebrides.
Organised by award winning multi-sport event company Durty Events, The Heb is an action packed, two-day 190km adventure challenge taking place on September 3.
That may sound tough, but when you’re zipping through some of the most spectacular, wild and remote landscape the UK has to offer, it’ll be more than worth it.
And get this – organisers claim the event is “extremely easy” and designed to encourage participants of all fitness levels to take part.
Participants will be pushed to their limits on foot, mountain bike and kayak through the Uist Island chain off Scotland’s west coast.
The Heb is open to solo or pair competitors who will attempt the journey, which takes in off-road running, mountain biking, kayaking and some sections of navigation.
Participants will begin racing at Benbecula for the 100km route round North Uist on day one, going on to a shorter 50km route taking athletes to the southernmost point of South Uist on day two.
The race will be stopped at the end of day one at one of the island communities, allowing for a well-earned refuel.
The move is designed to make the race more accessible to take part in.
Paul McGreal from Durty Events said: “This action packed adventure will be extremely easy to take part in.
“With an overnight stay in a single location on day one, race logistics sorted by the event team and time adjusted route, checkpoint and navigation options to suit all skill and fitness levels we have placed the emphasis firmly on participation, enjoyment and fun for all.
“We want everyone to have a great time, finish at a reasonable point on day one, and bite off as much as they can chew (and hopefully a little bit more).
“We have therefore designed The Heb in such a way that it will be perfect for experienced multi-sport athletes, works and office teams and fit and active people wanting to give an endurance adventure event a go for the first time in the most stunning location in Scotland.”
Alan Affleck of Dalgety Bay, Dave Harcourt of Dunfermline and Amy Goodill of Glenrothes are all gearing up to take part.
Amy said: “I’m not a hardened adventure racer! My friend made me sign up for this race a couple of years ago as a three, but she has moved back to France now so the remaining two of us – me and Matthew Butcher from Edinburgh – signed up as solos.
“I have another friend who I’ve been trying to get to sign up as she has often caused me pain making me sign up for the Strathpuffer 24 hour mountain biking race.
“We got on the podium so must be doing something right! But I wouldn’t say I go out doing specific training so we’ll see what happens.”
A variation of The Heb was last held in 2009 under a different name.
For more details and to sign up, see www.theheb.org.
