Saturday 12 September Image: Nilfanion CLIMB BEN NEVIS CYCLE 25 MILES Enter your team of four for this exciting team challenge to raise funds for the charity of your choice For more information and to register online: 01590 646410 events@dreamchallenges.co.uk CANOE LOCH LOCHY
SAT is an exciting team challenge set in the stunning Scottish Highlands. Teams of four are challenged to climb Ben Nevis, cycle 25 miles and canoe Loch Lochy. is an Open Challenge so teams can fundraise for the charity of their choice. The challenge starts in Fort William, Scotland where we have registration and a full event briefing between 5-8pm on the evening of Friday 11 September. The challenge begins the following morning from 6am when teams will start the event at one-minute intervals. The June Ben Nevis is now fully booked so please register your team now to avoid disappointment. On behalf of our team, Walk on the Wild Side, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the Dream Challenges team for organising such a brilliant and well organised event. You were extremely helpful in the build-up and on the day. We all had an amazing time and managed to raise an impressive amount of money for the British Heart Foundation. Andy Martin Ben Nevis 2014 Participant
The Challenge Teams of four are challenged to climb Ben Nevis (1,343m) the UK s highest mountain, cycle 25 miles through stunning Highland landscapes and canoe a 3km course on Loch Lochy. Canoe experience is not essential. From the start point in Fort William there will be a staggered start (one minute intervals) for the first section, which will be a trek to the summit of Ben Nevis. Following the mountain descent you will return to Fort William and change into your cycling gear. The second leg of the challenge is a 15 mile cycle to Loch Lochy. The cycle is all on road and will be signed and marshalled. The third leg of the challenge is a 3km canoe circuit on the stunning Loch Lochy. Teams will use rafted Canadian canoes and buoyancy aids are provided. Please note that previous canoe experience isn t necessary. The final stage of the challenge is a 10 mile cycle back to the finish line at Fort William. The route back follows the Caledonian Canal into Fort William and again the cycle is on road. Just got back from the event this weekend and wanted to say a really big thank you to everyone who was involved in the logistics of the event. As a team we have nothing negative about the challenge to feedback, the whole event from start to finish was just so well executed you would have thought it had been going for years. A very big thank you, I m now off for a very hot and long bath! It looks as if we have raised over 6,000 for our local East Anglian Children s Hospice so, all in all, brilliant. Neil Springall Ben Nevis 2014 Participant
Your questions answered How does it work? To take part in the Ben Nevis you are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of 195 per team of four (not per person) when you sign up for the challenge. You then have three options to fund your participation: Option One Minimum Sponsorship Select the charity of your team s choice and fundraise a minimum of 2,000. Providing you have raised 1,000 of the funds by 17 July, the charity you are supporting will pay the event costs ( 600) on your behalf and you will be confirmed on the event. The outstanding funds should be paid in by 12 October. Option Two Self-Funding with Sponsorship Pay the event costs ( 600 per team) by 17 July. You are then asked to fundraise as much as you can for the charity of your team s choice (or make a donation) but there is no minimum sponsorship requirement. In return we provide qualified event marshals, first aid support, certificates, medals, trophies for winning teams, t-shirts and post event refreshments. How fit do I have to be? is an exciting adventure race. It is achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness, who are prepared to put in plenty of training beforehand. The more you train, the more you will enjoy the challenge. Do you have to carry your own equipment? Each team will be required to carry appropriate clothing and safety equipment whilst climbing Ben Nevis. We recommend that you remove all sweaty clothing and replace it with dry clothing before starting the cycling section of the event. What about bikes? You need to provide your own bikes and we would advise using a road bike for this challenge as all of the cycling is on road. It is of course fine to use a hybrid or mountain bike. Your bike must be well maintained and in good working order and a thorough service before the big day is recommend. You should carry a puncture repair kit and a pump and you are advised to carry a spare inner tube as well. There will be a bike mechanic on hand to deal with any serious repairs. Do I need canoe experience? Canoe experience is not necessary for this challenge. Your team of four will use two Canadian style canoes, which are tied together to form a raft. The canoes and buoyancy aids are provided. Qualified canoe instructors will be on hand. Do I need special equipment? It is essential to come prepared with the correct equipment for the challenge and know how to use it. For the cycling, you must wear a helmet and have front and rear lights fitted to your bike, in case of poor visibility or if you start or finish in the dark. For the mountain section, you must be equipped and clothed properly for hill-walking, remembering the weather in the Highlands can change suddenly and drastically. You must wear walking boots or shoes designed for fell-running (trainers are forbidden). Your team must have a map, map case, compass and first aid kit. Each person must have a survival bag and whistle. You must have extra thermal layers, hat, gloves and waterproof top and trousers. You must carry a torch (front bike light will suffice). All specialist equipment for the canoe section will be provided. How do I sign up? The best way to register is on our website: Don t worry if you haven t confirmed your team of four people yet, you can register now to secure your place and then send us details of your other team members as soon as they are confirmed. PLACES ARE LIMITED SO PLEASE REGISTER EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
Make your team a winner Everyone who takes part in will receive a medal and certificate. However we also have trophies for the fastest teams and the best team spirit. The awards on offer are: Fastest Team 2nd Fastest Team 3rd Fastest Team Fastest All Female Team Fastest Mixed Team (One or more female participants) Golden Oldies (only teams with a combined age of 180 plus can enter this one!) Best Team Spirit (triumph over adversity, good fun, supportive to each other and other teams etc) HALL OF FAME 2014 Results Fastest Team Fast Lane 6hrs 10m Fastest All Female Team Lancashire Lasses 9hrs 26m Fastest Mixed Team Oxfam Strollers 8hrs 9m Golden Oldies Strollers 8hrs 25m (181 years young!) Best Team Spirit View Finders
How we support you Dream Challenges are here to help you achieve your challenge and will help you all the way. We are on hand from the minute you sign up to help you liaise with your chosen charity and to answer any questions you might have about the challenge.
Conditions of entry 1. A registration fee of 195 per team (non-refundable) is required to take part in The Ben Nevis. You must then choose one of the following three options to fund your participation in : Option One Minimum Sponsorship Select the charity of your team s choice and fundraise a minimum of 2,000. Providing you have raised 1,000 of the funds by 17 July, the charity you are supporting will pay the event costs ( 600) on your behalf and you will be confirmed on the event. The outstanding funds should be paid in by 12 October. Option Two Self-Funding with Sponsorship Pay the event costs ( 600 per team) by 17 July and then fundraise as much as you can for the charity of your team s choice. 2. If you do not take up your place on the event for any reason, you must inform Dream Challenges and your charity immediately. You must contact all your sponsors to ask if they wish to make a donation or to have their sponsorship returned. You must send all sponsorship forms and sponsorship money collected to your charity. 3. The good reputation of your charity is paramount. You must agree to act lawfully and to follow the fundraising guidelines laid out by the charity you are supporting. 4. You must be at least 18 years of age before the 12 September unless special permission has been given by the organisers. 5. All those who take part in Charity Challenge event do so at their own risk. The organisers and the charities you are representing are unable to accept liability for any injury, loss or damage, however arising, or for cancellation of the event for any reasons outside their control. 6. Teams must abide by the Country Code and the Highway Code and adhere to all safety guidelines and instructions given by the organisers. 7. Team members must abide by the rules of the event issued by the organisers and follow all instructions regarding essential equipment and clothing. Teams which do not abide by the rules will be disqualified from the event. 8. The organisers may at their sole discretion, withdraw places on the event, if they believe it is in the best interest of the safety of the challenge to do so. 9. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary if they deem this necessary in the interest of safety. is managed by Dream Challenges. Registered Office: Newcourt House, New Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9BQ.