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The Glen Nevis River Race

MONDAY, 27 JULY 2009


On Saturday, 18 July 2009, seventy-five intrepid adventurers took on the extreme challenge of The Glen Nevis River Race. They began by taking a 20ft plunge into the icy waters of the River Nevis, near Fort William, clutching their trusty inflatables before racing down a two mile course at very high speed through rocks, rapids and deep, narrow gorge pools (the Gurgling Gorge, Dead Dog Pool and the Leg Breaker). If that wasn't tough enough the final obstacle on the route was a jump off the 30ft high Lower Falls waterfall (the Lower Falls Leap) before racing to the finish line.

This year extreme sports enthusiast Dean 'Deano' Dunbar from Blairgowrie, Perthshire, became the first ever blind man to compete in the race. He was partnered by his wife Rona and completed the course in an astonishing time of 35 minutes. (To read more about Dean's adventures, including some world firsts, go to www.extremedreams.co.uk.)

With times ranging from only 19 minutes to 54 minutes the secret of the day was undoubtedly to stay aboard your craft. The overnight rain and the high water levels took their toll on a percentage of the field with basic navigation and the ability to stay afloat proving the biggest challenge for all competitors. For many the series of rapids before the Gurgling Gorge was too much and with punctures to lilos and water intake in the first mile forcing racers to retire only sixty two competitors made it to the finish.

The men's race was won by the 2008 winner, Stephen Cant, in a record time of 19 minutes and 6 seconds. Stephen said after the race, 'The river was at a fantastic level, every rapid was just about navigable, and I knew if I could hang on to my lilo I could put in a fast time.' Stephen is delighted to unofficially have the course record and cannot wait to speak to his brother Robbie in Alaska who is also a previous race winner. Jenna Jackson who won the ladies race in 2008 also won again this year in the time of 20 mins and 29 seconds, finishing third overall. Jenna said 'I loved it, although I have to admit at times I was scared but I just had to keep going.'

The Glen Nevis River Race is organised by Fort William based events company, No Fuss Events, and raises much needed funds for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue team. Frazer Coupland from No Fuss had the tough decision to make as the river levels fluctuated a lot in the days leading up to the event. He commented: 'When we left on Friday night we were assessing risks on low water levels and then overnight everything changed as the river level rose by a massive two feet.' The decision was made to do the full course for the first time since the race was reintroduced in 2008. However competitors were spared the jump off the 35ft high bridge at the start. Instead they jumped off a 20ft ledge just below the bridge which gave every participant a sporting chance of getting aboard there lilo before tackling the Gurgling Gorge!

The Glen Nevis River Race always attracts a vast spectrum of people. This year a group of seven men, who went to school together, meet annually to take on a new extreme challenge. In recent years they have competed in events such as bog snorkelling in Wales, mud running in Amsterdam and bull running in Spain. In 2008 one of the SPECTRE team had spotted a feature on the race and the 2009 trip to the Outdoor Capital was booked. Team members travelled from across the world - Brisbane, Dubai, Wales and England - to be in Fort William for the race and the whole team agreed that the Glen Nevis River Race was definitely one of the best.

The race has also attracted a number of celebrities over the years including John Noakes and Dougie Vipond. 2009 was no different and this years competitors' list included TV personalities Rory McGrath and Paddy McGuinness.

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