It was an epic trek which tested their resolve and sense of direction to the max.
But the energy and enterprise displayed by a Moray fundraising group, while helping armed forces personnel, has amassed in excess of £9000 for charity.
More than 40 participants took part in the lung-bursting 62-mile Cairngorm to Coast challenge to support the RAF Benevolent Fund earlier this year.
A team of four from the 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss Barracks finished ahead of the field in crossing the line – but only after one of the other entrants lost his bearings.
Competitors initially had to complete an 18-mile trek through stunning Cairngorms scenery before taking to two wheels to cycle to their objective at the RAF Lossiemouth gates.
Chairwoman of the Lossiemouth RAFBF, Karen Cox, expressed delight at the level of support for the forces fund.
She said: “While the Kinloss Barracks team eventually won the day, they would have been pipped at the post by the amazing Kelvin Hirst, who was well in the lead, but lost his way.
“We are, above all, thrilled at the final total which has been raised, with notable contributions from Kathryn Evans and Sandra O’May, who raised £495, while Anthony Carmichael raised a very healthy £400 from his efforts.”
The runners and cyclists set off from the ski centre in the Cairngorm National Park. The tough course immediately sent them heading uphill, before they descended into Grantown, where the entrants switched to bikes for the ride through Moray into Lossiemouth.
A total of 36 people earned a gold medal for completing the course single-handedly, with the last of their number getting to the end at 8pm.
And, despite being understandably weary after their exertions, there were no injuries suffered by those on the course.
After taking part in the gruelling trek – which was staged in May – entrants and sponsors gathered in Lossiemouth last week to discover the grand total that had been raised from the event.
Mrs Cox explained that lessons had been learned from last year’s event to ensure that everyone got to the finish.
She added: “Support came from a very long list of individuals and businesses and that underlined the importance of the RAFBF to the people from throughout Moray and beyond.
“We learned a great deal from our inaugural event in 2015 – and that resulted in everyone finishing the challenge – including the army team who managed to win, despite taking an unplanned detour.”
Money raised for the RAFBF supports about 40,000 service personnel and their families every year. The group provides assistance for those who have been injured or disabled in the line of duty, in addition to helping with childcare, relationship difficulties and financial hardship.
Preparations are already being made to hold the event for a third time on May 20 next year on a similar route from the Cairngorm Ski Centre to RAF Lossiemouth.
Further details about entering can be found online by visiting www.teamrafbflossiemouth.org.uk.