Epic new LochNess360° Challenge from Visit Inverness Loch Ness set to attract ultra-marathon fans 'from around the world', VisitScotland hopes
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ANOTHER monster is set to set up home at Loch Ness next year – after plans were unveiled for a gruelling ultra-marathon challenge.
Visit Inverness Loch Ness has announced the launch of the LochNess360° Challenge, centred around the new LochNess360° long-distance trail which now encircles the loch following the completion of the final stretch of the South Loch Ness Trail earlier this year.
They hope the monster challenge will prove enticing to runners and cyclists eager to pit themselves against something more gruelling than a traditional marathon.
Taking place on May 29-31, it will offer participants the choice of five running and cycling alternatives over the three days. The first, and most extreme, is to run the entire trail within 24 hours – 129km in length and with more than 3000 metres of ascent. Participants will need to have ultra-marathon experience to compete.
Alternatively, those seeking a less intimidating option can choose to complete the circuit by completing a “marathon a day” over the three days. Or, if this sounds too much “merely” one or two of the three marathons, the choice is yours.
Cyclists will also get the opportunity to mountain bike the entire circumference of Loch Ness in a maximum of 14 hours.
“If you are really looking for something a bit different, to test your stamina and mental strength in the iconic surrounds of Loch Ness, the LochNess360° Challenge is for you,” said Graeme Ambrose, the CEO of Visit Inverness Loch Ness.
“We want this to become an annual event in the Loch Ness event calendar. The LochNess360° trail is a fantastic new asset with which to sell the attraction of the area as a holiday destination and the LochNess360° Challenge provides the opportunity to not only further raise the profile of it, but also to provide genuine economic benefit to businesses and communities around the loch.
“As well as benefit derived from participants who opt to stay in the overnight stop villages, we hope they will be joined by family, friends and support teams. To this end at each stop we hope to bring added value that everyone can enjoy in the form of live music and ‘pop –up’ retail.
VisitScotland’s regional leadership director, Chris Taylor, is also hoping it will bring a big boost to the area’s spring tourist numbers.
Chris Taylor, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director, said: "This innovative new event is a great idea and will profile the area to a new, global audience. I would expect it to attract a huge amount of interest from people who have potentially not visited the Highlands, or indeed Loch Ness before.
“It can also help push visitor spend into the smaller communities around Loch Ness, as well as bringing added benefits in May, before the peak season really kicks off.
“We work closely with Visit Inverness Loch Ness to promote the Highlands and are committed to collaborating with the tourism industry to identify exciting new initiatives where we can work together to take their local message to a world stage.”
The event will start and end in Dores, with stops in Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus. It is being sponsored by SSE Renewables and managed by experienced organisers No Fuss Events, Lochaber. For more details, and to register, visit https://lochness-360.com/2020-challenge/
