‘OUTDOOR Capital of the UK’ active events company, No Fuss Events, have announced their calendar for 2011.
The Fort William-based outdoor fanatics have put together an extended programme of 18 fun and friendly events to be staged throughout Scotland that more than match the most breathtaking scenery to be found in their native Locahber with energy sapping and heart pumping challenges for all!
2011 will see the introduction of THE WINTER FEAST DUATHLON SERIES, THE 10 IN THE GLEN endurance running event, a TRAIL HALF MARATHON in Galloway and the IXS MACAVALANCH, a gravity-assisted mountain bike race that promises to be the biggest thing to hit Glencoe in decades.
These new events will take their place alongside the flagship endurance mountain bike events, including THE BENROMACH THREE TENS SERIES of ten-hour cross country races and the HOPE ENDURANCE DOWNHILL; as well as the BIG BEN NEVIS TRIATHLON, the toughest off road triathlon in the UK and the HIGHLAND WARRIOR (70.3) TRIATHLON, Triathlon Scotland’s Middle Distance Scottish Championship for 2011.
And if these events appear to be a bit too mainstream then don’t worry No Fuss are again catering for the slightly more ‘unhinged’ adventure enthusiast with THE GELN NEVIS RIVER RACE, probably the world’s craziest lilo race.
Pick your outdoor challenge for 2011 – Get active, get fit, be healthy, be happy and have fun!
Details of the 2011 programme:
FOR THE RUNNER
The Outdoor Capital Half-Marathon, introduced in 2010, was a massive success and is already proving a popular choice for 2011. As a result, no Fuss are introducing a second trail half-marathon, this time at Kirroughtree in Galloway Forest, in July.
Another new addition to the programme of running events is 10 in the Glen, a ten-hour endurance race on a 10km trail and road route around Glen Nevis. It is time to sign up and find out just how many laps can be completed as an individual; or say farewell to the lonely life as a runner and participate as a team of two, three or four where tactics will be everything in order to get onto the famous No Fuss podium.
FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKER
For 2011, No Fuss have teamed up with Glencoe Mountain, one of Scotland’s oldest gravity-assisted sports resorts, to launch the IXS Macavalanch, surely the most hotly-anticipated mountain bike event of the year.
Mixing downhill adrenlaline with enduro levels of fitness, armour clad riders will pit their skills against piste and mountain side as they hurtle from the snow covered slopes at the summit down on to the resort’s downhill track to the finish at the car park below.
Helicopter transport of bikes and riders to the top of the hill and a mass start of 70 riders will ensure plenty of added fun and games!
The team will choose an appropriate weekend in the spring, dependant of snow and weather conditions for this awesome edition to the UK’s mountain bike calendar.
Renowned on the UK’s mountain bike scene, The Benromach Three Ten’s Series of cross-country endurance races, makes a welcome return.
This now trusted format and series kicks of in May with 10 Under The Ben, Fort William, the true No Fuss Flagship and old lady of the No Fuss fleet, with 10 at Kirroughtree in July. The venue for the third event in August is still to be confirmed.
Introduced in 2010 THE ORANGE TOUR DE BEN NEVIS, a no-frills, 72km point to point mountain bike stage race that circumnavigates Ben Nevis, taking in some of the most rugged and isolated terrain in the Highlands, this race was a massive success in 2010. The grueling Orange-sponsored event returns in 2011 with some extra surprises thrown in just for good measure and will surely be one of the UK’s top point to point races of the year.
Also returning to the No Fuss stable for 2011 is the Hope Endurance Downhill, six hours of adrenaline filled and speed fuelled terror down the world-famous Fort William downhill track at Nevis Range. This is considered to be the only event of its type in the UK and is likely to sell out fast.
The 24-hour cross country mountain bike marathon RELENTLESS 24 is again the final event of the No Fuss calendar. Traditionally staged on the world-class Witch’s Trails in Forestry Commission Scotland’s Leanachan Forest, near Fort William, in October, hundreds of endurance riders battle it out on world-class trails to see who can cover the most ground in a 24-hour period.
The venue for 2011 is yet to be confirmed.
A No Fuss spokesman said: “There will be a Relentless 24 in 2011 and an announcement on the venue will be made in the New Year.”
There will also be the opportunity to compete for the UK’s Best Allrounder title – The King of the Mountains – by participating in 10 at Kirroughtree, the Endurance Downhill and the Tour de Ben Nevis. It may be an unofficial title, but you try telling that to last years winners!
FOR THE TRIATHLETE AND MULTISPORT ENTHUSIAST
New for 2011, The Winter Feast Duathlon Series are three very different but very friendly duathlon races in January, February and April. They will give both beginners and experienced multisport athletes the opportunity to get out in the winter and have a bit of craic with new and old friends and enjoy this run bike run format whilst feasting in the top locations in the Outdoor Capital of the UK.
In March triathletes, from 15 to 50+, can kickstart their year with THE WEE TRIATHLON, a 400m swim, a ten-mile mountain bike ride and a three-mile cross country run that starts and finishes in Fort William. This hugely popular event always sells out with the same event being staged on two days.
In September, The Highland Warrior (70 .3) Triathlon, neither half Ironman nor traditional middle distance triathlon, is a full-on tough race that will push even the toughest of the longer distance triathletes to the limit. In 2011, Triathlon Scotland have selected the Warrior as the Scottish Championship race.
The day before, the Highland Warrior No Fuss will stage The Big Ben Nevis Triathlon, considered one of the UK’s toughest triathlons – with a 1,900m swim in a highland sea loch, 90km of brilliant mountain biking and an opportunity to run up and down Ben Nevis. Does it get any more appealing than that?
FOR THE CRAZY THRILL SEEKER
The Glen Nevis River Race returns again in July. This is a chance for mad adventurers to pit their lilo skills against a two mile section of white water on the River Nevis with added obstacles including the Leg Breaker, The Gurgling Gorge and the Lower Falls Leap thrown in for good measure.
With an extended programme of eighteen active sports events across the length and breadth of Scotland No Fuss are encouraging participation from first timers, families, work colleagues, weekend warriors and elite athletes to take part. No Fuss Events do exactly what it says on the tin – great events with a fun and friendly atmosphere that encourage participants of all ages and abilities to sign up year after year.
With over 60 per cent of athletes who attended events in 2010 re-booking from previous years, there is a clear indication that customer satisfaction is extremely high and events are interesting, challenging and fulfilling enough to warrant a return.
For more information on the full event programme (and booking details) for 2011 go to: http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/
Media contact: Paddy Cuthbert – Podge Publicity – 07968 699 636 / paddy@podge.co.uk
Event listings details:
January 15 – Winter Feast Duathlon Series
The Appetiser at Glencoe
Duathlon – a 5km trail run followed by 15km off road cycle (as opposed to technical mountain bike event) and a 5km trail run
February 19 – Winter Feast Duathlon Series
The Main Course at Arisaig
Duathlon – a 10km run / walk (trail or beach), then a 22km cycle (on road), and a 5km run / walk
March 19 and 20 – The Wee Triathlon – Fort William
Triathlon – Traditionally the season opener, this pool-based triathlon involves a 400m swim, a ten-mile mountain bike in Glen Nevis and a three mile cross country run. Same event over two days due to popularity.
April 9 – Winter Feast Duathlon Series
The Big Puddin’ – TBC
Duathlon – a 7km run/walk, then followed by a 22km cycle and then a 4.5km run / walk
TBC – IXS Macavalanch – Glencoe Mountain, Glencoe
Downhill mountain bike endurance – A Scottish version of the Megavalanche, one of the world’s most famous mountain bike events. From a mass start at the snow-capped summit of Glencoe mountain, 70 riders will race down to the car park at the bottom. This is going to be one hell of a descent!
May 21 – The Benromach Three Tens Series
10 Under The Ben – Nevis Range, Fort William
Cross-country mountain bike endurance – run on an endurance format with teams and individuals competing to see who can complete the most laps of the ten-mile course in ten hours. Participants can compete as a solo or in relay teams of two, three or four. An opportunity for recreational riders, racers, off road riders and weekend warriors to get out and get on their bikes.
May 22 – Trail Half Marathon and 5km Fun Run – Nevis Range, Fort William
Trail Run – Off-road challenge on some of the most scenic trails in the heart of Fort William and Lochaber – the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’. Suitable for walkers, first-time off-road runners and the more experienced ‘mountain goats’.
July 9 – Benromach Three Tens Series
10 @ Kirroughtree – Galloway Forest, Newton Stewart
Cross-country mountain bike endurance – run on an endurance format with teams and individuals competing to see who can complete the most laps of the ten-mile course in ten hours. Participants can compete as a solo or in relay teams of two, three or four. An opportunity for recreational riders, racers, off road riders and weekend warriors to get out and get on their bikes.
July 10 – Trail Half Marathon and 5km Fun Run – Galloway Forest, Newton Stewart
Trail Run – New off-road challenge for 2011. Suitable for walkers, first-time off-road runners and the more experienced ‘mountain goats’.
July 16 – 10 In The Glen – Glen Nevis, Fort William
Endurance Trail Run – This race is run on an endurance format with teams and individuals competing to see who can complete the most laps of the 10km course in ten hours. Participants can compete as a solo or in relay teams of two, three or four.
July 16 – Glen Nevis River Race – Glen Nevis, Fort William
Extreme Lilo Racing – The river race involves participants negotiating a two-mile stretch of the River Nevis on an air-bed (Lilo), navigating the Gurgling Gorge, the Leg Breaker and the Lower Falls Leap! A good fundraising event (funds raised going to Lochaber Mountain Rescue, the UK’s busiest mountain rescue team)
July 23 – Hope Endurance Downhill – Nevis Range, Fort William
Endurance Downhill Mountain Biking – Riders of this grueling event will need physical strength, quick reflexes, superb bike control and an unerring eye for the right line as they speed down the world-renowned downhill track (2.82km) at Nevis Range, Fort William as many times as possible in six hours. Participants can compete as a solo or in pairs. An evening event.
August 20 – Benromach Three Tens Series
Venue TBC
Cross-country mountain bike endurance – run on an endurance format with teams and individuals competing to see who can complete the most laps of the ten-mile course in ten hours. Participants can compete as a solo or in relay teams of two, three or four. An opportunity for recreational riders, racers, off road riders and weekend warriors to get out and get on their bikes.
September 10 – The Big Ben Nevis Triathlon – Fort William
September 10 – Half Big Ben Nevis Triathlon – Fort William (half distance)
Off Road Triathlon – If you are a multisport athlete looking for the ultimate challenge then look no further than this iconic Big Ben Nevis Triathlon. It offers competitors the opportunity to test their skills, stamina and endurance away from smooth, predictable tarmac and calm inland waters of other, more traditional ‘tri’ events. This triathlon will pit entrants against the choppy waters of a freezing cold highland sea loch (1.9km), the long, loose climbs and fast singletrack descents of Glen Nevis (90km), and the final, monster challenge – a (21km) hill run, up (and then back down) Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
September 11 – Highland Warrior Triathlon – Fort William
Triathlon – Whilst closely related in distance to what are commonly referred to as half Ironman or middle distance triathlons, the Fort William 70.3 is absolutely none of the above – a swim in Loch Linnhe, a cycle route that passes by the Commando Memorial in Spean Bridge, ‘Prince Charlie’s Monument’ at Glenfinnan and through the mythical Glen Nevis, and a run through the Leanachan Forest at Nevis Range and back to the finish. This is a full on tough race that will push even the toughest of the longer distance triathletes to the limit.
September 24 – Orange Tour de Ben Nevis – Fort William
Cross-Country Mountain Bike Event – This is surely the ultimate mountain bike challenge for endurance athletes and riders with a sense of adventure. It is a point-to-point 61km race in ten stages, five of which are special timed sections, with the fastest cumulative times and the highest points combining to decide the winners. Starting from Fort William, this mountain bike endurance race and mountain marathon race rolled into one circumnavigates Ben Nevis, taking in some of the most rugged and isolated terrain in the Highlands – taking mountain biking back to the mountains. The course is undulating and varied with river and stream crossings, tough climbs and long rewarding descents.
October 8 – Relentless 24 – TBC
Cross-country mountain bike endurance – Beginning with a Le Mans style racing start, hundreds of riders from across the UK and beyond will battle it out on world-class trails for 24 hours to see who can complete the most laps of a tough and technical course. Participants can compete as a solo or in relay teams of two, three or four.
For more details, prices and booking details go to www.nofussevents.co.uk / e-mail info@nofussevents.co.uk
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Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/
