Worldwide Entry as Lists Close for Solo Category

The finest field ever assembled for an Adventure Race in Europe will line up for the solo category of the 1999 Lowe Alpine Western Isles Challenge.

Recognised as one of the world’s toughest athletic challenges, the 3-day multisport event in early May takes competitors over a 200 mile course on land and sea through eight different islands in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The route includes around 20,000 feet of mountains and some of the wildest and most spectacular terrain in Europe, finishing at the continent’s most northwesterly point at the Butt of Lewis.

First established as a team race, and with a pioneering solo category included from the 1996 event on, the field for the 1999 Solo Challenge includes the top adventure racers in the world today. Thirteen of the 22 come from outside the UK, with entries ranging from New Zealand and Australia to Canada and the USA, Dubai, Namibia and the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking as he announced the closure of entries for the solo category, Race Director Ian Callaghan said he was delighted both with the quality and the global spread of the entries. "The field includes the top names in the sport – a recognition, I believe, of the quality and toughness of the event. Among those coming are all three members of the "most feared" team in Adventure Racing – the US, Australian and New Zealand partnership of Robert Nagle, Ian Adamson and Steve Gurney - which has won all the major events in the sport over the past few years."

But they won’t find it easy against the British contingent, led by top quadrathlete Marc Laithwaite and the winner of the inaugural solo Challenge, Pete James. As Callaghan remarked, "The solo race has never been won by a non-British athlete, and that’s probably because sea canoeing and mountain running – both sports at which the British excel – are such a big part of it. I predict a titanic struggle to maintain that record: these guys will not be travelling from all over the world to come second."

Entries are still open for the Team Challenge – the original and still the fundamental element of the event. There is again interest from all over the UK and as far afield as New Zealand in what has been called "easily the most complex navigational race in the UK" and an event equating to "physical chess" – a test not just of physical stamina and outdoors skills, but of teamwork, tactics and adaptability.

As Phil Ham, Lowe UK’s Sales and Marketing Director, and a member of the 6^th-placed "Lowe Life" team in 1998 remarked: "The nature of the terrain and the route choice options left us mentally as well as physically drained. But there’s no question we will be back in 99, looking for a podium place! The Lowe Alpine Western Isles Challenge is the perfect event for us: it matches exactly our philosophy of producing the best gear for the lightweight approach to mountain activities, and of constantly thinking creatively about what we are doing."

For pictures contact Laura Alonso on 01539 721689