The‘Cairngorm Charmer’ is the brainchild of event organiser Paul Corrigan (an ageing runner and biker) who now works for the Scottish charity Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland and who was the creator of the highly successful Aviemore Highland Half Marathon back in 2006, and was the organiser of the gruelling Corrieyairack Challenge Duathlon event for 6 years. As well as being a very different and novel event, the ‘Cairngorm Charmer’ is also a fundraising event and originally came about as a way of raising funds for the much needed new Aviemore Community School. In June 2009, Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland in agreement with event partners took over the organisation of the event and event entry fee proceeds will be divided between CHSS and the Community School fundraising group. Event participants are also actively encouraged to support the two worthy causes by seeking sponsorship for taking up the tough challenge and can download the appropriate sponsor form from the event website (See below).
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 (4-6) 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.
SPONSORSHIP:
To support Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland please download a sponsor form here
To support the Aviemore Community School please download a sponsor form here
Please use the Gift Aid system – it makes such a difference.
Very special thanks go to the following for their permission and support without which it would not be possible to stage the event; Forestry Commission Scotland, Cairngorm National Park Authority, SNH, CRAGG, CairnGorm Mountain Ltd, Aviemore Business Association, The Highland Council, Northern Constabulary, Glenmore Lodge. See also Supporters/Links page
We hope to welcome lots of people to the exciting ‘Cairngorm Charmer’ event whether as teams, supporters, spectators or helpers and both from the local area and from further afield too. It really is a truly ‘charming’ day out for everyone… |
