The ‘Cairngorm Charmer’ is the brainchild of Paul Corrigan (an ageing runner and biker) who works at CairnGorm Mountain and who was the creator of the highly successful inaugural Aviemore Highland Half Marathon in 2006 and also was the organiser of the Corrieyairack Challenge event for the past 6 years. This quite different event has come about as one way of raising funds for the much needed new Aviemore Community School which as well as providing a long awaited new school for the area will also incorporate many community facilities and amenities as well.

The‘Cairngorm Charmer’ is designed to be challenging and different but also very achievable for a wide range of people; it is a team event for teams of two who take part as a relay team each completing one lap of the course; the course lap consists of a run stage followed by a mountain bike stage followed by a run stage; the three stages are relatively short distance (4 miles each); it is set in some of the most outstanding scenic countryside in the Cairngorm National Park; the route is set over excellent forest tracks with only two minor road crossings; it includes stunningly beautiful Loch Morlich, the gorgeous Allt Mor trail, Glenmore Forest and of course, a 'charming wee bit' of majestic Cairngorm Mountain (see Route).

Life is all about teamwork and hopefully the ‘Cairngorm Charmer’ will attract teams of mates, friends, partners, twins, couples, husband and wife, parents and children (aged 17 or over), mixed teams, work teams and any other teams you like as long as there is two of you!

The event is a two lap challenge. Each lap consists of a 4 mile trail run, followed by a 4 mile mountain bike followed by a 4 mile trail run. Each member of the team completes one lap each with the second team member setting off when the first team member finishes. The results will be based on the total time for the team to complete the two laps i.e. adding the finish times of each team member. Transition between run/bike/run and each lap will be continuous i.e. the clock keeps going! For details on entering the event see How to enter.

In an effort to make the ‘Cairngorm Charmer’ as environmentally friendly an event as possible the intention is to try and reduce the amount of paperwork involved (by using email and the event website), encourage team car sharing, avoid any effects to the landscape, reduce, recycle or reuse all event items and arisings and wherever possible manage the event in an environmentally sensitive manner. As part of this intention, there will be a staggered initial start system used where runners will be set off in small groups (3 or 4) at one minute intervals to avoid a large multi-coloured group tearing down the trail and also to allow the field to spread out from the beginning and allow runners to enjoy the scenery; the timing system will accommodate this staggered start and results will be based on the team time to complete the two laps not finishing position.

All proceeds from the event go to the new Aviemore Community School fund and if you would like to donate or raise sponsorship through your efforts click here to download a sponsorship form. Please use the Gift Aid system – it makes such a difference.

Very special thanks go to the following for their outstanding support without which it would not have been possible to stage the event; Forestry Commission Scotland, Cairngorm National Park Authority, SNH, CRAGG, CairnGorm Mountain, VABS, Cairngorm Estate, Aviemore Business Association, Highland Council, Northern Constabulary, Glenmore Lodge, Speyside Leisure.

I do hope to welcome lots of people to this exciting ‘Cairngorm Charmer’ event whether as teams, supporters, spectators or helpers and both from the local area and from further afield too. It has proved to be a truly ‘charming’ day out for everyone …