Event Website: https://greatglenpaddlechallenge.com/
The Great Glen Paddle Challenge is a premier event for paddlesport enthusiasts, traversing the 92km length of the Great Glen from Fort William to Inverness.
Solo Challenge: Individual paddlers covering the full distance
– one day
– two day
* Prizes available for 1st Hard board SUP (M/F), 1st Inflatable SUP (M/F)
Other paddle craft welcome, prizes/categories will depend on the composition of entries.
Team Challenge: Teams of 2-5 paddlers completing the course together
– one day
– two day
* Prizes available for 1st team one day, 1st team two day
Relay Option: Teams of minimum 2 paddlers taking turns to cover the distance
– one day
– two day
* Prizes available for 1st team one day, 1st team two day.
Note: Participants must provide their own shore support, as this is a point-to-point race.
Evening registration and mandatory race briefing at Fort Augustus Village Hall. Attendance is compulsory.
Non-Stop Ultra participants commence.
Day 1 of the Two-Day Challenge commences.
Day 2 of the Two-Day Challenge.
Evening prize-giving ceremony and dinner at Fort Augustus Village Hall.
– Tickets on sale: Tuesday, 21st January 2025, 01:00 (GMT +1)
– Closing Date: Tuesday, 16th September 2025, 17:00 (GMT+1)
– Entry Link: Webscorer Great Glen Entry Link
Solo Challenge: £125 early bird rate per person
Team Challenge: £125 per person
Relay Option: £125 per person
Entry fees include race participation, checkpoints, trackers, safety support and prize-giving dinner on the Saturday night. From 1st August, entry fee will increase to £175 per person.
The organising authority is not responsible for any costs you may incur between now and the event.
Distance: 92km
Course: Between Fort William and Inverness, using the waterways of the Caledonian Canal and various lochs, including Loch Ness.
Direction: Determined based on weather conditions; may run South to North (Fort William to Inverness) or North to South (Inverness to Fort William). Final decision will be announced at the pre-race briefing on Thursday evening.
All participants must use watercraft suitable for ocean conditions, as large bodies of water can resemble the ocean if the wind picks up. Flat water narrow boards/boats are not advised.
Mandatory equipment checks will be conducted prior to the start, with spot checks during and after the race.
– Participants must attend the mandatory race briefing on Thursday in Fort Augustus.
– Cut-off times will be enforced at checkpoints:
One-Day Event: 14 hours to complete the course
Two-Day Challenge: 8.5 hours each day
Participants failing to meet cut-off times will be asked to retire from the race and leave the course.
– Participants are advised to stay in Fort Augustus, which offers various accommodation options, including chalets, Airbnbs, and campsites. This allows for flexibility in the event of alignment with the prevailing wind conditions.
– Overnight parking for campervans is available in designated areas; however, it is not permitted in the main Fort Augustus car park.
– The ceremony will take place at Fort Augustus Village Hall.
– Dinner will be provided
– Participants are welcome to bring their own alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
– Dogs are welcome.
– Parking is available on-site.
– Email: [email protected]
– Phone: +44 (0)1324 861 756
– Address: c/o Sailingfast Ltd/Paddlefast Ltd, The Stables, Farrenridge, Avonbridge, Falkirk FK1 2HN
– A paddlers’ pack will be emailed prior to the event, including detailed information and a link to a remote Zoom briefing one month before the race.
– Participants are responsible for their own shore support and logistics.
– Personal bags can be dropped at designated points for transport to specific checkpoints.
For comprehensive rules and safety information, please refer to the event website.
We look forward to seeing you on the startline for the Great Glen Paddle Challenge 2025!