The annual Loch Ness Man v Horse Challenge race is on us again, and the big question is can runners again pull off a surprise win this year.
Last year the event was won for the first time in its four years by a runner, Alex Keith from Inverness, in a time of one hour 53 minutes.
In second and third place respectively were horses ridden by Sasha Pocock and Joanne Philip in one hour 55 minutes and two hours.
Alex is competing again this year as is the 2013 first-placed runner Michael Deason, originally from New Mexico, and also Aled Jones-Davies, secretary of the Welsh Man vs Horse Challenge, so it’s going to be strong competition again for the horses and their riders.
On Sunday April 19, around 20 horses and their riders will line up above Loch Ness to take on more than 40 runners in the region’s fourth Man vs Horse Challenge.
Starting from the Whitebridge Hotel at 11am the race follows a linear route, which covers sections of the Trail of the Seven Lochs and the South Loch Ness Trail. Competitors will climb up the challenging Corkscrew beside the stunning crag of Dun Dearduil before tackling the Fair Haired Lad’s Pass and then descending sharply to Loch Ness.
The race will finish at the home of the hosts, Loch Ness Riding, at Drummond Farm above Dores. Horses will be vetted to make sure they are in good shape at the finish and runners as well as riders will be restored with tea and cakes.
The Jacobite Warrior Perpetual Quaich will be presented to the fastest overall competitor, and the winners in each class will receive a keepsake quaich. and Medals and rosettes will be presented to all runners and riderscompetitors.
The event will be run under the auspices of the South Loch Ness Access Group which is affiliated to the British Horse Society’s Bridleways Group.
Organiser Candy Cameron of Loch Ness Riding said: “Last year’s event was a tremendous success and this year looks like being even better.
“It really is ‘game on’ between runner and rider to decide who is the fastest over this spectacular route on south Loch Ness.
“A horse is definitely faster on the flat but the route has plenty of steep hills and the horses will slow down over these stages.”
Half of all profits will be donated to the Help for Heroes charity and half to the South Loch Ness Access Group.