The Cateran Yomp

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The Cateran Yomp is a long distance hiking/running event held in Scotland in June each year. The circular route runs north from the town of Blairgowrie, through farmland and into the high hills of the Cairngorms. The main course, Gold, is 54 miles long and includes more than 7000 feet of elevation gain, but there are shorter distances too – Silver at 36 miles and Bronze, 22 miles. All courses must be completed within 24 hours, but of course days are long in Scotland at this time of the year.

Participants run and hike in teams of three to six and the course is marked and well supplied with food, water and medical cover. There are four main checkpoints and four additional water points along the way. The going can be tough – this being Scotland, there are points where it is wet underfoot, possibly the whole route – but of course it’s some of the most magnificent scenery in teh British Isles.

There is a strong military aspect to the event, even in the name – a ‘yomp’ is a military word for a demanding hike on foot – and the event is organised by and in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The entry price of is £99 (reduced for earlybird entries and discounts) and includes food during the weekend and along the route, safety cover, an area to camp at the start/finish (with toilets and hot showers) and an event shirt and a finisher’s medal – plus of course you know you are contributing to a worthy charity.

See the Cateran Yomp website.  And see an interview with George Popov, who is entering the 2018 event.