The Gallop and Grind

Coming up on Saturday the 27th of September is the inaugural running of the Gallop and Grind. This is a Duathlon combining a running (or walking) leg of 3.5 miles and a cycling leg of 9 miles, though some of the best scenery in Scotland. It has been designed to accommodate all abilities - from elite who would expect to finish the course in less than 2 hours, to the leisure class who would take about 4 hours. Otherwise you can just participate in the walk section, if you don't feel up to the bike too. The event starts next to the Lochaber Leisure centre at King George Park on North Road near the centre of Fort William. Competitors will do one lap of the park and then take the path up the hill behind the park, and then up to the summit of Cow Hill. If you've time to stop and take a breath there are fantastic views from here over Fort William and Loch Linnhe and also down Glen Nevis.

Marshalls will be here to direct runners back down the path which runs down into Glen Nevis. When you get to the Braveheart carpark (named after the movie which was filmed in this glen) the transition to the bike leg will take place. This will be on both sealed road and unsealed forest track, so make sure you have a suitable mountain bike and helmet. The route will take you 4.5 miles down Glen Nevis, under the shadow of Ben Nevis, and then turning around and returning via the same route to Fort William - a total of 9 miles on the bike.

The event is being organised by Sharon Fraser to raise money for cancer care at both the Belford (Fort William) and Raigmore (Inverness) hospitals. Sharon has endured a long battle with cancer, and has orgainsed this event to give everyone the chance to give up their time and raise money for a truly deserving cause. Sharon's courage and determination has been an inspiration to everyone who knows her - so show your support for her and cancer care in the Highlands by gettting "on your bike" on Saturday the 27th of September.

Entry forms are available here and the official website is at No Fuss Events which is running the event here - Gallop and Grind website . Registration on the day is between 10am and 1pm - the start will be after 2pm. There will also be a fundraising Ceilidh on the night of the Gallop and Grind at the Nevis Centre (behind Morrisons in Fort William) which promises to be a great night out for everyone - starting at 7:30pm. Everyone is welcome - regardless of whether you competed in the Gallop and Grind, so get down on the night for a night of traditional music and dancing.