Scotland Coast to Coast Adventure Race
I just competed in the Scotland Coast to Coast, a 105 mile multi-sport endurance race across the Scottish Highlands . It was a great race - the most difficult event I’ve taken on yet.
Results, Video and Maps:
All was going well to finish in the top half of the field until I missed a course marker and lost an hour climbing the wrong mountain (Ben Nevis). This error put me into the final checkpoint after dark, too late to pick up the kayak for a one mile paddle to the finish. Despite not punching my number at the finish line, I was given a finishing place of 148 out of 250 in the Racer category. I’m already planning to return in 2012 for a better showing.
Mobile-friendly YouTube video: http://youtu.be/CKV3pxJOEi0
Scotland Coast to Coast – multi-sport endurance race from Dominic Taverniti on Vimeo.
GPS Data from 2011 Scotland Coast to Coast race
Note: The above course is about 13 miles shy of the finish line. My GPS unit, the Garmin 310xt, ran out of power during the final run leg of the race.
Maps of Scotland Coast to Coast race provided by race organizer
Coarse First Half
Coarse Second Half
January 17, 2011 – first entry
I’m registered for the 2011 Scotland Coast to Coast race, a run-ride-paddle multisport adventure race across Scotland this September. At around 105 miles long, it won’t be the longest race I’ve done, but the setting will be amazing. This will actually be my first time to Scotland and this will be an exciting way to take in some sights that I wouldn’t otherwise see as a bar-hopping tourist. …that will be recovery day post race.
So 2011 will only be the second year of this race. Based on racers’ feedback on the organizer’s website, it was well-planned and enjoyed thoroughly by the field.
Did you do the Nokia Coast to Coast inaugural race in 2010? Any advice for me in my preparation and training leading up to September?
Scotland Coast to Coast – Rat Race Event from ResetFilms.co.uk on Vimeo.
This looks like a lot of fun. I’m currently training for the Norseman XT which looks a bit like the coast to coast, just longer and no overnight stay. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3cr5lgXRn8&feature=player_embedded
The Norseman Xtreme Triathlon looks insane. Drop me a line as your training progresses. I’m looking at Ironman programs to get myself up to speed for the Scotland Coast to Coast and perhaps an Ironman length race later this year.
I have some advice for you, enjoy the scenery. Good Luck!
Hi, what bike would you recommend for this event, a stripped down
Mtb with semi slicks or a cyclo cross bike? Cheers
Great question!! Mountain bike vs cyclocross was the hottest topic before the race and a tough decision to make. At lease for Challenger and Racer categories, where only one bike can be used.
For sake of cost, since I traveled to Scotland from the USA, I ended up renting a mountain bike with regular knobby tires, locking front suspension and a hard tail. Cyclocross bikes were not for hire. Now that I know what the off road conditions are (or were for a relatively dry race in 2011), I would opt for a cyclocross bike this year.
Check out my video of the race and you’ll see the wettest portions of the trail. I saw cyclocross riders going through the wet stuff just fine. There were some switchback single track sections, but it accounted for such a small portion of the ride, I wouldn’t choose a mountain bike just to go slightly faster through those sections.
The grated dirt and loose stone roads would be the primary reason to have a mountain bike. While I was thankful to have front suspension when riding fast down these bumpy roads, I would have gladly taken a cycloross to cover the over 60 miles of beautiful pavement on the rest of the cource.
For consideration, significantly more cyclocross riders were getting flat tires than mountain bike riders. I’ll be sure to master my tire/tube changing skills before the race this year.
Hi, thanks for coming back with this advice. I can’t seem to find too much info from people who have done the race. I’ve been leaning towards using a cx over my mtb given the distance that needs to be ridden. I was also thinking that the more technical singletrack wouldn’t be a huge portion of the ride so mtb could be over kill so your feedback has confirmed it for me. Thanks for the tip on tyre changes, I’ll be sure to pack plenty! Cheers