Great Wilderness Challenge 2025 was ‘perfect day’ as scene set for 40th anniversary
A WESTER Ross event started as a one-off fundraiser for a much loved Highland charity is still going strong - and will next year mark its 40th year anniversary.
The latest outing of the Great Wilderness Challenge at the weekend is set to boost further the £4m-plus it has raised since first dreamt up by a group of friends with a shared goal in 1986.
Taking place with a backdrop of some of the most beautiful scenery in the Highlands, it offers a range of routes which include a 25-mile Dundonnell to Poolewe (walking or running); 13 miles from Aultbea to Poolewe (walking or running) and seven and 13-mile circulars from Poolewe.
Flashback to GWC 2024 in pictures
Flashback to 2023 as roll of honour reveals local heroes
2025 participant Alex Mackenzie later posted: “A perfect day weather wise (never felt one measly midgie) amongst the usual stunning scenery. A HUGE thank you to ALL who work behind the scenes to make this event so successful year after year, your efforts are greatly appreciated by us participants.”
Last Saturday’s event was run in glorious conditions with hundreds of walkers and runners continuing a tradition initially planned to provide a boost to a Highland-wide appeal to support the establishment of hospice care in the region.
Highland Hospice has gone from strength to strength since opening in 1987. And such was the popularity of the GWC that it too has become a much-loved Highland institution thanks to the support of behind-the-scenes volunteers, local companies and businesses and and countless walkers and runners, many returning year after year to get involved.
The organising group offered a “huge thank you” to “everyone who makes the event so successful year after year”, adding: “Your efforts are greatly appreciated by us participants.”
It thanked everyone who donated food or ingredients saying that “without them, we could not put out such a large spread of food”.
Amongst many supporters was Muir of Ord-based Ord Industrial and Commercial Supply which provided portable toilets free of charge.
The date for the next event isSaturday, August 15, 2026 - which will be the 40th Great Wilderness Challenge.