Littlehouse Media

The Ultra Tour of Arran, a big draw for international adventure tourists

This weekend (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April 2019) 500 adventure runners will descend on the stunning Isle of Arran for The Ultra Tour of Arran, the audacious 100km off-road running challenge, staged by Rat Race Adventure Sports, the UK’s favourite adventure challenge event organiser.

 

Rat Race have reported a 50 percent rise in numbers from the inaugural event in 2018. Of those at least 445 are travelling to the west coast island from outside Scotland; from the rest of the UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Dubai, Germany, France, USA, Canada and Belgium, to experience this mythical isle that has been described by some as ‘Scotland in miniature’.

 

The Ultra Tour of Arran, with its event hub in Brodick, is a two day, fully supported and waymarked, off-road adventure run, packing a hefty 100km ultra distance route around the island with an overall vertical gain of 10,679 feet.

 

 

Jim Mee, MD of Rat Race Adventure Sports, said: “We are very pleased to be returning to Arran in 2019. The island has so much to offer our Rat Racers and their supporters over and above the huge variety of running terrain from north to south.

 

“Being ‘Scotland in miniature’, the island is the perfect outdoor adventure playground for active adventurers from the UK, Europe and the rest of the World keen to experience what Scotland has to offer on a two-day trail run.  With delights at every turn, the fantastically varied and distinct 50km trail running routes on both days highlight this perfectly; from dense enchanting forests and coastal beaches in the south to the iconic castles, deep glens and dramatic mountains, including Goatfell at 2,867 feet, in the north.”

 

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Arran is the perfect stage for such an exciting and challenging adventure run. With such a varied landscape, taking in glens, beaches, forests and more, we are sure participants, families and friends alike will enjoy a stunning event on one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands.”

 

For more information on The Ultra Tour of Arran  go to http://ratrace.com/uta/

 

Rat Race is partnered with Children With Cancer UK, the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer, in a pledge to fight the UK’s biggest child killer. Rat Racers have raised over £1,000,000, across all Rat Race events, since the campaign began in 2015.  If runners take part in the Ultra Tour of Arran 2019 and raise £750 through Virgin Money Giving for Children with Cancer UK before race day, Rat Race will return their entry fee.  For details go to http://ratrace.com/uta/run-for-charity/.

 

Ends

 

Media Contact:

For images, interviews, further information contact:

Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected]

M: +44 (0)7913 951717

 

For downloadable images of The Ultra Tour of Arran go to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dia0sv921enoneu/AAAWSdp_o5cqlhh4uC73zECva?dl=0.  Please credit Leo Francis / Rat Race Adventure Sports

 

Notes to Editors:

The Ultra Tour of Arran http://ratrace.com/uta/

Although there is an option to take on the challenge of day one only (45km), all runners have signed up for the full two-day 100km Ultra distance. Day one (between four and eight hours of running) is characterised by quiet paths, forest trails, some boardwalk sections, some tarmac sections through villages and a lot of forest dirt roads. Day two (between six and twelve hours of running) is virtually all off-road with some serious mountain sections (there might even be snow on the hilltops), where the going is decidedly rough underfoot. There will be several scheduled pit stops interspersed on the route each day, for that much needed quick rest and refuel.  There are View both routes – http://ratrace.com/uta/the-route/

 

As with all of their events, to ensure runners, their families and friends have the best weekend possible Rat Race will operate from a central Basecamp, for UTA located in Brodick just one kilometre from the island’s ferry terminal.  This hub will have all the quality trappings of a Rat Race event – good food and drink, great amenities, friendly and hospitable staff and Saturday night entertainment.  A complimentary shuttle service from the ferry, together with camping, full serviced glamping; and limited paid parking options will also be available.

 

Rat Race Adventure Sports (http://ratrace.com/), a successful Scottish registered company, now based in York, are the UK’s best-known adventure challenge event organisers (the UK’s favourite adventure sports crew), providing the largest selection of mass participation multi-sport events and challenges, annually; 50% of their annual events programme is now staged in Scotland.

 

It also offers a branded range of its own sporting apparel and an online clothing and equipment store.

 

Rat Race Adventure Sports on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ratraceadventuresports

Rat Race Adventure Spots on Twitter https://twitter.com/RatRaceHQ

 

Their event programme has always been focused on Scotland – urban and wilderness playgrounds of the highest quality. They have an exemplary track record in promoting Scotland as a world-class destination for adventure events and multi-sport endurance challenges, exploiting the:

  • Stunning scenery and urban and wilderness playgrounds of the highest quality
  • Hugely evocative and iconic locations
  • Rugged, varied and ever-changing terrain over relatively short distances – perfect for outdoor multisport adventures
  • Adventurers from the UK, Europe and further afield keen to explore the best of what the country has to offer through fully supported and achievable adventure events
  • Huge potential of shareable, user generated video and photography, inspiring target audiences to plan their own independent Scottish adventures

 

Rat Race Adventure Sports has a global outlook, operating across the World, yet Scotland remains a really strong focus strategically going forward with new events being added annually

 

Rat Race Adventure Sports’ 2019 Scottish event programme

In 2019 Rat Race Urban Adventure Sports, who were forged on the streets of Edinburgh in 2004 with the staging of their first event, The Edinburgh Rat Race, will again showcase Scotland as a world-class adventure destination with achievable multi-sport and endurance challenges on foot, bike and kayak.

 

These epic journeys and unbeatable adventures, full of camaraderie, fun and good humour, utilise the rugged and varied terrain of the country’s stunning landscapes and historic, iconic and evocative landmarks; urban and wilderness playgrounds of the highest quality.  The Scottish events programme includes:

 

16 March – The Mighty Deerstalker, Innerleithen – http://ratrace.com/mightydeerstalker

 

13 – 14 April – Ultra Tour of Arran – http://ratrace.com/uta

 

14 – 15 September – Coast to Coast – http://ratrace.com/coasttocoast/

Rat Race’s original adventure race returns to the wild hills of Scotland. Join 1000 #RatRacers as they run, bike and kayak over 105 miles following the Great Glen from East to West, through one of the most famous mountain landscapes in the world.  Awe inspiring views and a stunningly epic course await you in the Scottish Highlands.

 

20 October – Ultra Tour of Edinburgh – http://ratrace.com/ute/

The third edition of the 34.2 mile ultra distance tour of the Scottish capital; a tough, fully waymarked, mixed terrain route of tarmac and off-road trail running, with 3000 feet of ascent and descent. From the Braveheart charge down the Royal Mile to the finish at The Commonwealth Pool; with the occasional sojourn totally off road to enjoy the hill top views of the Pentland Hills to the coastal waters and harbours of Newhaven and Leith in the east.

 

EventScotland

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.

 

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com.

You Might Also Like

Dr Liz Cameron, Scotland’s voice of business, to headline women’s networking lunch

Sporting legend Gavin Hastings to inspire Lochaber at Ideas Week 2017

A muckin’ great Audax, perfect for Cream o’ the Croft road cyclists

No Fuss serve up a vindaloo of an off road bike festival

Expert of mountain rescue, ‘Heavy’ Whalley, wins top mountain festival award

Finance and Economy Secretary, Kate Forbes, opens car park and off-grid toilets at Skye’s Iconic Fairy Pools

Start your Highland biking adventure at the new Nevis Range Bike School

Hostelling Scotland fully open for business after two years

Expose yourself the No Fuss way

Frazer Coupland appointed Chair of The Highland Tourism Partnership

Danny MacAskill celebrates Edinburgh anniversary with Fringe debut at Circus Hub

Loch Ossian and Torridon Youth Hostels shortlisted in TGO Reader Awards

Noel Williams wins 2019 Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture

Top award for World renowned Scottish landscape photographer, Colin Prior

Enduro World Series Qualifier, Kinlochleven – Race Report

Lochaber Ideas Week returns to Fort William after a two-year covid hiatus

Nevis Range is making it snow all season long!

Young ‘Fifers’ invited to collaborate in Eliminator Bike Festival

Mountain Bikers Gear Up for a Fun Day’s Night in Falkirk

Monster Meets Mountain – Nevis Range joins forces with the Cobbs Group

New hydro scheme powers Scottish mountain resort

Hostelling Scotland to temporarily close Youth Hostel network

Hostelling Scotland begins phased opening of Youth Hostel network

Coast to Coast – run, bike ride and kayak 105 miles across Scotland

Run Scotland on The Ultra Tour of Arran

Haggis from Scotland’s first free-range Haggis farm goes on sale in Lochaber

Hostelling Scotland’s network opens for 2023. Give hostelling a go!

Lochaber Ideas Week programme revealed

Hostelling Scotland, a new brand identity unveiled

New massed ultra running tour to challenge Edinburgh’s visitors

‘Connect To Your Adventure!’ – big success in just 7 weeks

Discover Your Adventure – Fort William Mountain Festival 2023 programme announced

Re-Defining the age of adventure as the EMFF returns in February

A new mucky duathlon for the Eliminator Weekender in Fife

Elite Freestyle Skier, Kirsty Muir (17), wins Youth Mountain Award

Young event assistants invited to join the IRONKIDS Scotland event team

Lochaber Tourism Summit 2019, a must-attend event for Highland tourism businesses

Fair City Enduro Confirmed As Scotland’s Only Enduro World Series Qualifier

The Cream of Enduro will rise to the top at Comrie Croft

Danny MacAskill launches video, ‘Danny Daycare’. Best ‘uncle’ ever?

Fort William Mountain Festival back to a live, multi-venue event in 2022

Gravelfoyle – Gravel Cycling at the heart of Aberfoyle’s new tourism brand

Route announcement confirmed for HSBC City Ride in Edinburgh

SYHA appoints Lois Marshall as Youth & Volunteer Engagement Manager

IRONKIDS Scotland – 3,000 kids to take part in global running series

OCUK unveil their new branded gondola at Nevis Range

Outdoor Capital Activities and Attractions Expo open for tourism business

Inspirational Climber, Caitlin Connor, Receives Prestigious Youth Mountain Culture Award

Go Swim Loch Lomond – a new open water event for Scotland

New European partnership to upskill adventure tourism in five countries

Do we hear Muckwedding Belles in Fife?

Sustainable active travel and food tourism at the heart of new adventure film

Hostelling Scotland opens four summer youth hostels in 2018

Becoming a Conscious Host: Carbon Neutrality and Beyond

A Mucky Duathlon for the Eliminator Bike Festival in Fife

Cyclists Get into Gear for Angus Cycling Festival

‘What would Mary do?’ at the Fort William Mountain Festival

No Fuss running events given Compression boost in 2018

Chris O’Brien appointed Destination Manager for the Outdoor Capital of the UK

The Falkirk Funduro 2017: mountain biking fun with two capital F’s

OATS in search of a Fairy Pool of staff

Fife farmland to host the new Eliminator MTB Weekender Festival

SKI-AN-DURO, a new ski and mountain bike Enduro for Scotland

SYHA collaborates with Glasgow Caledonian University

National Funding Boost for Cream o’ the Croft and The Eliminator

SYHA’s Glasgow Metro youth hostel awarded 3 stars by VisitScotland

Figurehead environmental campaigner, Dave Morris, wins top mountain award

Big Biking October – two International bike events for the Outdoor Capital

SYHA Hostelling Scotland assist in a Recovery Version

Glen Nevis Youth Hostel re-opens after major redevelopment project

#myoutdoorcapital – OCUK to put visitors firmly in the frame

Planning on holidaying at home? Give hostelling a go!

UK’s first Team Enduro event comes to Comrie Croft, Perthshire

Up to 350 riders will take on the Fair City Enduro when it returns to Perth

Three female adventurers to take on epic 1936 cycling trip

Scottish Enduro Series confirms POC as headline sponsor for fifth year

No Fuss partnerships lead the way for Scotland’s Enduro

Cream O’ The Croft – far more than just a bike festival

Fife farm to be transformed for a family bike and outdoor festival

SYHA Hostelling Scotland – building Scottish hostelling for the future

Millburn Academy ensures a warm welcome to Inverness Youth Hostel

The UK’s first waymarked gravel cycling trails opened near Aberfoyle

Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival 2018 – The Long Road To Adventure

Fort William has all the Mòd cons

Business Community Programme launched for Lochaber Ideas Week 2018

Young volunteers wanted to run IRONKIDS Scotland running events

Cameron McNeish wins 2018 Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture

Youth development key to Edinburgh Central’s 10th Anniversary

Danny MacAskill is ‘Doing the Dubhs’

Tour De Ben Nevis and and Ultra Marathon De Ben Nevis – Race Report

Nevis Range partner with Disability Snowsport UK for Winter 18/19

International partnership benefits Nevis Range snowsports enthusiasts

Epic Halloween tale of ‘Ned vs Monster’ in the Outdoor Capital

Nevis Range and Trek renew commercial partnership for 2019/20

‘A Meeting of Minds 2’ celebrates innovation in Scotland’s aquaculture sector

Call for nominations to join Hostelling Scotland’s Board of Trustees

New Lochaber website aiming high

Edinburgh’s Electric Cycle Company has been supercharged

An Teallach wins €60,000 European Outdoor Conservation Association grant

Unique Mountain Culture Award goes to novice search and rescue dog teams

Paul Merton Visits SYHA’s Loch Ossian Hostel – Paul Merton’s Secret Stations

Scottish Climbing Instructor, Tim Miller, wins Youth Mountain Culture Award

Muckin’ good mountain bike events launched for 2016

Nevis Range team up with Endura

Visit Moray Speyside launches their biggest ever UK marketing campaign

VisitScotland’s Lord Thurso to deliver The Charles Kennedy Memorial Lecture

Media Advisory – Cancellation of The Mighty Deerstalker, Saturday 03 March 2018, The Scottish Borders

Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 goes Covid-19 safe

Hot water on tap for Loch Ossian Youth Hostel

Keith Legge, CEO of SYHA Hostelling Scotland, steps down after 13 years

Chris O’Brien, MD of Nevis Range, shortlisted for Business Leader of The Year

Nevis Range to turn back the clock to 1989 to celebrate 30 years of adventure

Nevis Range moving forward with interim CEO Rod Pashley

Competition Climber, Shauna Coxsey, wins Scottish Youth Ambassador Award

Inspirational volunteer, Steph McKenna, wins Youth Mountain Award

Muckin’ good news for two wheeled Early Birds

Loch Ossian and Glencoe Youth Hostels, big winners in TGO Reader Awards 2024

Run Scotland in two days with the new Ultra Tour of Arran

POC headline sponsor for Scottish Enduro Series for sixth year

The new Pentland Trail Centre – The future for Edinburgh biking

Inspirational athlete and adventurer, Karen Darke, wins top mountain award

No Fuss add two International MTB events to 2018 programme

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2018 – Celebrate the great outdoors

Huge demand for ultrarunner Jasmin Paris at Fort William Mountain Festival

Immerse yourself in Lochaber Ideas Week 2019

Muckin’ good festive discounts on Muckmedden 2018 bike events

Entries open for SKI-AN-DURO, Scotland’s new ski and mountain bike Enduro

Fort William Mountain Festival 2024 – Come and discover your adventure

It’s Up to Us…to step up and save our mountain paths

Lee Craigie, outdoor ambassador and adventurer, wins top mountain award

Media Advisory – 500 runners to tame Edinburgh with the inaugural Ultra Tour

Jura, the Border Collie, trains to become the first Ski Patrol rescue dog at Nevis Range

A bit of ‘This and That’ for stunt riders Danny MacAskill and Kriss Kyle

Run day and night at the new Tweed Valley Trail Run

Nevis Range and Trek announce a partnership for 2018/19

Media Advisory – UK’s highest Shinty match to promote tourism in Lochaber

Summer Youth Hostel Returns to Glasgow

Nevis Range looks forward to reopening in July

Winner covers 319km at The UK 24hr Mountain Bike Championships

Young people invited to collaborate in Muckin’ good summer festivals

Media Advisory – Images – The Ultra Tour of Edinburgh

Muckin’ good discounts for a muckin’ good 2019 event programme

Rob Cochrane wins 2019 Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture

£100,000 awarded to innovative Scottish mountain project

Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland wins two rural industry awards

Enduro riders, prepare yourselves for a Highland Clan battle!

Gold and Silver gongs for Torridon and Loch Ossian Youth Hostels in TGO Reader Awards

Two Scottish youth hostels celebrate landmark anniversaries

Nevis Range announces Commencal as new global gravity sports partner

Another Muckin’ great line-up of mountain bike events announced for 2017

Lochaber community is pulling together to give Nevis Range a lift after lockdown!

Edinburgh’s Electric Cycle Company sees 80% rise in Lockdown sales

Lochaber’s Nevis Range becomes an accredited Living Wage employer

Discover Scotland’s ‘Braw Buildings’ with Hostelling Scotland

Fort William – the perfect cruise destination

IRONKIDS activity programmes promote healthy and active lifestyles – SUN, FUN, RUN!

An appetite for adventure in the North West Highlands

Nevis Range, Scotland’s highest snowsports destination, open for business

Nevis Range and Trek renew commercial partnership for 2020/21

Lochaber Tourism Day with Cal Mac – Debate, Engage, Network

Get your adventure challenge on with Project: Explore

Celebrating 90 years of Scottish hostelling

Elite mountain bike racer, Mikayla Parton, wins Youth Mountain Award

No Fuss for Kinlochleven, the UK’s only Enduro World Series Qualifier

Changing times at Nevis Range Mountain Experience!

It’s all about head to head bike racing at Fife’s Eliminator

Halloween fancy dress mountain bike Enduro returns to Perth

Scotland’s mountain bike Enduro World Series qualifier sold out in record time

Are you hard enough to take on The Double Stalker?

Cream o’ the Croft: three Muckin’ good family festivals rolled into one!

SYHA partners with Ayrshire College for valuable volunteer experience

SYHA opens new summer youth hostel in Edinburgh

300 Dutch adventurers to run, bike and kayak across Scotland

‘Death Zone’ mountaineer, Nirmal Purja, to headline Fort William Mountain Festival 2020

People are at the heart of SYHA Hostelling Scotland!

Lochaber’s ‘Connect to Your Adventure’ digital marketing campaign, a huge success

New Beinn a’ Ghlo trailhead car park gives back to the mountains

New look Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel, new era of hostelling in the Capital

Fair City Enduro – The UK’s Most Spectacular Mountain Bike Race

Inverness Youth Hostel gets a fresh new look

Developing for the future at Nevis Range!

The ultimate runners’ sightseeing tour of Edinburgh returns

Dukes Weekender, a catalyst for Aberfoyle’s rise in gravel cycle tourism

Aberfoyle to host new endurance gravel cycling event and festival

Margo Paterson appointed as CEO of SYHA Hostelling Scotland