A 105 mile coast to coast journey from Nairn
to Glen Coe in 2 day’s under my own steam,
why?............Well why not?
As a fit and healthy, if not slightly unhinged, 39 year
old RAF Weapons Engineer, I have quite a history of
undertaking demanding challenges.
In 2008 I was part of a team of six serving RAF
personnel who undertook the original 75 mile Royal
Marine yomp from San Carlos Bay to Port Stanley in the
Falkland Islands. We surpassed all expectations to finish
2nd overall, amassing over £1500 for local charities.
Roll forward 2 years and I stumble across the Nokia
Coast to Coast run in the RAF Active magazine, a
gruelling solo multisport challenge combining running,
cycling and kayaking. Of course my efforts should leave
a legacy, and I opted for a trio of Service charities namely
the RAF Benevolent Fund, Erskine and Help for Heroes.
After a 5am start on a dark and wet
morning, following a poor night’s
sleep, I get the feeling this is going
to be a long day as my support
team (Wife) and I make our way
to the start at Nairn beach. Four
months and hundreds of hours
of training behind me and at last
here I am, beginning my journey
in the early morning light. I slowly make my way down
the deserted streets before being funnelled onto ever
narrowing riverside paths, and after 7 miles I arrive at
the bicycle transition at Cawdor Castle. After a quick
change of equipment I emerge onto the roads and settle
8
CALEDONIAN SO
By Chf Tech Lee Dillon
Lee powering away his kayak
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into a rhythm, working my
way through small groups
of riders as we head toward
Inverness. I’m soon beginning
to pay the price for my early
exuberance. The nagging wind
and steady rain add to the
fatigue, as I try taking on more
fuel and fluid to sustain my
efforts. A road sign focuses my
attention on the distance to
Fort Augustus; 19 down, 29 to
go! The miles pass slowly as
my energy levels fluctuate and
the rain remains unrelenting,
just like the climbs. I manage
to latch onto a large group of
similarly paced cyclists just as
we begin a steep descent on
narrow, sinuous forest roads.
Soon I find myself at the head
of the group, and emerge to
catch my first glimpse of Loch
Ness. After another hour
of undulating punishment I
make a rapid plunging descent
into Fort Augustus for the
last transition of the day.
Quickly swapping cycling
shoes for damp and muddy
running shoes I slowly make
my way down to the kayak
rendezvous on Loch Ness.
With buoyancy aid on and
paddle in hand I push off
onto the dark waters of the
mythical Loch. Despite my
inexperience in this discipline I
make good progress and pass
several flailing competitors.
Back ashore I run to the first
day’s finish, crossing the line
in 5 hours and 20 minutes in
84th place.
Early the following morning,
I climb aboard my trusty
mountain bike and set off in
the rain from Fort Augustus.
The first few miles pass
easily, but my optimism soon
evaporates as I leave the
path and enter the forest
flanking The Great Glen Way.
The single-track through the
woods has become a ribbon
of mud, on which my tyres
scramble for any traction and
I’m grateful to be welcomed
by the sight of tarmac as
I emerge for a brief road
respite. Back up into the
pine landscape, this time the
OLO ‘‘
Lee still smiling on the run.
track consisting of wide well
packed fire-road, enabling me
to make good progress. The
track finally emerges onto a
minor loch side road which
threads its’ way past Gairlochy,
the rain finally relenting for
the first time since I started
yesterday. I’m soon entering
Fort William and being
directed down to the finish
of this 33 mile stage at the
local sports ground. Once
again my ‘support crew’ was
on hand to aid my transition
and I tentatively set off on my
17 mile cross country run.
Ahead, Ben Nevis provided a
suitably grand back drop as
I slowly begin a long steady
climb, the view over to the
famous peak helping to mask
the growing fatigue. After two
hours I emerge onto open
mountain tracks of the West
Highland Way just as the rain
returns with a vengeance. I
was soon directed ‘off-piste’
onto a much boggier track
that appeared to head it’s way
skyward as it disappeared
into the low cloud. This steep
and muddy track resembled
more of a river, given the
amount of dark peaty water
running down its course
as it meandered up the
mountainside. I’m reduced to
taking large steps between
the rocks, hands on thighs
to assist with pushing up this
watery hell. I wasn’t alone
in my purgatory, as even the
elite athletes (who were
covering the entire course in
a single day) were struggling
to maintain their momentum.
Cresting the pass the view
over Loch Leven repays me
for every moment of toil
The miles pass slowly as my energy levels fluctuate and the rain
remains unrelenting, just like the climbs. I manage to latch onto
a large group of similarly paced cyclists just as we begin a steep
descent on narrow, sinuous forest roads.
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‘‘
9
I’ve endured for the last six
hours. Unfortunately, I don’t
have time to appreciate this as
I’m busy with the tricky task of
descending down the mountain
to the final stage of the day.
Despite trying my best to stay
upright, my poor choice of
running shoes means I struggle
to get down safely off the worst
of the slope and onto the road. It
was then just a small matter of a
half mile run to the kayaks at the
loch-side, easier said than done
given what my legs had already
been through. Reaching the
boat transition, I quickly ready
myself and set out on my way,
the strong side current, gusty
wind and heavy rain making my
progress a slow painful affair.
Fighting the accumulated fatigue,
I begin to cramp up as I work
hard to power my boat. I finally
reach a small islet and with
the current now behind me,
paddle with added momentum.
In the distance I can see and
hear my ‘Support
Team’ shouting
encouragement,
bringing a smile
to my face giving
me the final spur
that I need. I
reach the shore
and scramble up
the bank into the
grounds of the
hotel, and run
the remaining
few metres to
Lee on his final run.
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cross the line in just over 7
hours 40 minutes. I collect my
finisher’s medal and with the
obligatory foil blanket draped
over my shoulders, hobble stiffly
up into the event marquee just
as the heavens opened in true
West Coast style. A fitting finale
and a reminder that despite my
accomplishments over the 2
days, I hadn’t really conquered
the land, but was merely
permitted the privilege to transit
through its magnificence.
I completed the 105 mile
challenge in 13 Hours 40
Seconds, placing 123rd out of
over 600 solo and team entrants,
raising over £750 in the process.
Due to its success, this inaugural
event is due to become an
annual occurrence. Having got a
real taster, I hope to compete in
the one-day version next time.
If you want an epic challenge
of body and mind in majestic
surroundings then this is for you.
Lee negogiating on
e of the bike trails.