Summary

The event runs from the Isle of Barra in the South to the Butt of Lewis in the north of the Outer Hebrides chain - the most northwesterly point in Europe. On the way are mountains, bogs, sand, lochs and sea, with some of the finest and most unspoilt landscapes you will ever see

Around half of the route distance must be covered on foot, and the remainder by any form of non-motorised transport, with some 12 "race checkpoints" and a number of "safety checkpoints" to be visited en route. The aim is not for each individual to cover the whole course

The route to be taken by each team, and the deployment of their resources over the three days, is for them to decide, and this strategic element can play a major part in a team’s performance

The role of backup teams is to position active team members and equipment, and for these purposes motorised transport may be used

Number of Teams

There will be a limit of 30 teams, which will be accepted on a first-come basis subject to satisfying the organisers that the team has the experience and skills necessary to undertake the Challenge safely (see below)

Though all-male teams will be accepted for the event, only teams with at least one woman member will be eligible to win any of the prizes

Places will be reserved for various types of team, as follows:

	All-women teams	4
	Western Isles teams	4
	"Veteran" teams with an average age of 40+ years	4

The top six teams from the last Challenge will also be invited to enter the event with reserved places

Please note, however, that all of the above reserved places are only available to teams which include at least one woman member

To ensure a place, please get your application in as early as possible!

The all-female team of Angela Mudge, Jane Robertson, Wendy Donnelly and Debbie Macdonald placed 2nd in 1995 and 7th in 1996

Skills and Experience Required

Ideal team composition will be two fell-runners, a specialist cyclist (the route will involve mountain, track and road biking, including a mountain bike time-trial on one or more days) and a specialist canoeist, but if the cyclist and canoeist can also run this will certainly be a major advantage.  The 1999 event will also in all likelihood include some compulsory open water swimming sections.

Further key players are the backup team: not only is the route planning a fairly major exercise, but efficient delivery of the right person in the right place at the right time is essential. The Challenge is planned on the basis of a minimum of one team vehicle, but at least two people in a backup team is probably advisable.

The following must be borne in mind by anyone contemplating an entry:

	The terrain is for the most part tough, even by mountain marathon standards: it includes everything from peat bogs to bare rock, and there are few defined trails. Furthermore the weather will in all likelihood be very changeable.
	Approaching the summit of Clisham in poor weather

	Any member of a team who will be going out on the hills must be able to navigate with confidence (and, usually, alone) over an unseen course and rough terrain in possibly serious weather. They should usually have competed in long mountain navigation races or similar events, and this type of experience will be looked for in entry forms
	The winning time in 1999 was around 38 hours (over three days, and including sea legs). Because of cut-off times for the last checkpoint on each day, no team should enter which cannot expect to achieve around 130% of this time, i.e. around 16 hours per day. You should base your thinking on times not on ideal conditions but on a mix of good and bad. The fastest time for the land sections will be around 30 hours, with cutoffs affecting teams unable to achieve around 40 hours on land
	The sea legs will include some of the most difficult sea-canoeing in Britain. The team canoeist must therefore have appropriate sea-canoeing experience, be in possession of a BCU Four Star Certificate (or prior/forces/international equivalent) and must paddle a sea-kayak.  Read about the canoeing here

[There will be a "team builder" service on the site if you are either (a) looking to complete your team or (b) want to join a team - presently under construction]

The route for the 1999 event can be found here

Teams are responsible for all transport, accommodation and catering arrangements and costs, including the costs of any special ferry arrangements which the organisers may make. Transport costs to/from and between the islands can be quite high and should be investigated prior to entering an application

Accommodation details can be found via the Western Isles Tourist Board and ferry details via the operator Caledonian MacBrayne

Special ferries are laid on between North Uist and Harris after the first day's racing (Wednesday). 

The trophy for the official event for mixed teams is the "Granite Compass". 

Other trophies will be awarded for:

	The fastest women’s team
	Fastest veterans team
	Fastest canoeist

These trophies will be accompanied by prizes of clothing/equipment donated by Lowe Alpine