Hebridean Challenge

[Pyro]

Also posted on Aardvark Sport forum, but by Dan, I'll do this myself...

The Hebridean Challenge adventure race is on again this year, and they're short of event marshals. I was on the marshalling team last year and it was a fantastic experience, but this year I've had to drop that as I'm now competing, so I said I'd try and find other marshals to fill the place I'm leaving.

For those who've never heard of it, the Heb Challenge is a 5-day multisport race, running the length of the Outer Hebrides - this year from Castlebay, Barra to Stornoway on Lewis. The race comprises road and fell running, road and mountain biking and sea kayaking. There's a big navigational element to it, as well as tactics. The race this year is from the 5th to the 9th of July.

Marshalling gives you the chance to get the race experience without the strain and stress of racing. The Heb is a unique race, not only for the area, but also for the format and the atmosphere. Every overnight is in a scheduled area (so you'd get a good nights sleep - no overnight marshal duties involved) and food is provided by the community hallls in the islands - Scalpay Fish Pie is a highlight!!!
The marshalling team are also well respected, both the sea and land teams, and the competitors are warned that they have to be nice to the marshalling team or penalties can (and will) be handed out - a team last year got penalised 5 minutes for swearing at a marshal...

As a marshal,you'd be involved in placing control points, safety cover in some of the more hazardous areas (ie after a particularly rocky descent in the MTB time trial last year) and timing sections. There'd be a chance to see an awful lot of a beautiful part of the world in a short space of time. You'd have accomodation provided each night, generally in a bunkhouse, food allowance and passenger ferry fares paid for you (or you'd pay and they'd re-imburse you), so it's not a completely thankless task.

If you're definitely interested in doing it, could you please contact Rod Ellis (Head Marshal) on ellisinmalvern@aol.com or on 01684 562855.
If you're after more info, post here or PM me over this forum.

Cheers

Pyro