Ten years ago, the idea of raising money on behalf of Charity was discussed between a group of people, most of whom worked together, and the idea of running a triathalon was brought forward - the theory may have been that anyone who was crazy enough to take part in such an event might also have crazy friends who would sponsor them. 1989 saw the first running of the 70 Wild Miles event with 18 certifiable lunatics taking part - if you somehow infer from these comments that I have never taken part (or ever will), then 10 out of 10 for you! Since that first event more than £150,000 has been raised in total, and last years running which took place on June 6th. was the best yet, with a cheque for £22,500 handed to the Cancer Research Campaign.
As a particular bonus it was announced that the organisers of 70 Wild Miles have been awarded the Lillian Board Trophy, which is presented each year for outstanding fundraising for the Cancer Research Campaign. -(For pictures of the presentation, check out the link to Boab's Bunker.)
I should make my own part in this clear, in case anyone should think that I'm one of the hard-working heroes who have made this possible. I have been up to two of these events, giving a hand with time-keeping and taking some photos, but everything would have gone on fine without any interferance from me. In fact, I'm supposed to be going there again this year and anyone who wants to buy me drink is welcome to do so! (Please) Been there, done it, got the T-shirt!
The only reason that this page is appearing here is that I'm fed up waiting for my friend Bob to get around to using his free Webspace to produce a proper site for the event. Bob's the so-called Head Timekeeper (Head being short for Headcase in this instance).
HOT NEWS! At long last there is an "Official" 70 Wild Miles website.This is where to go for more details, history and stories concerning this event.Entry form was available for download from this address - but you may be too late for this year! - but if you feel like celebrating the Proper Millenium by competing in the Y2k+1 event instead of drinking yourself into a stupor then an early entry might be possible - (It also gives more time for friends and family to make enquiries about strait jacket hire and compare asylums!).
70 Wild Miles is not a true triathalon as it is not a straight-forward race, due to the fact that the cycling event takes place over public roads it is necessary that each cyclist set out individually at timed intervals to prevent a build up of riders on the road. Similarly, as the canoeing section takes place on a sea-loch it is safer to have all the competitors start together rather than have them go off as soon as they arrive, this means that the safety boats in attendance can keep a better check on anybody who might get into difficulty. The running section, however, is somewhat more relaxed, each competitor is allowed up to 30 minutes to recover from the strain and cramped conditions of the canoe and when they feel ready, they report to the timekeeper and start at his mark.
The event started out purely as an individuals event, but now includes a team section with each team obviously consisting of a cyclist, a canoeist and a runner. All this means that the timekeepers have a busy time of it, with each five times to record for each competitor or team. (Everyone has the same start time for the canoeing.)
The venue is Glencoe in the heart of Scotland, a site whose historical associations with the massacre of innocents may or may not be a coincidence. For those who do not get the reference, in 1692 a party of soldiers of the clan Campbell, acting under the orders of the English government, took the hospitality of the MacDonalds of Glencoe and then, in the middle of the night, murdered all of their hosts, men, women and children. (Certain competitors have been known to mutter similar threats, especially about the Head timekeeper).
The start/finish is in the middle of Glencoe, near the White Corries, from there the cycle route is along the A82 road to Tyndrum, turning just before the village on to the A85 road until Taynuilt. The canoe section is then north up Loch Etive to a landing point at the top of the loch, with the run following a tarmac road back up to rejoin the A82. The whole course being roughly triangular in shape.
If there is anyone reading this, (or having it read to them), who is crazy enough to want full details of this event, the contact addresses are:-
Snail-mail: John Allan, 40 Newmains Road, Kirkliston. EH29 9AW
E-mail: GogiG@aol.com
Also check out another page on Gael-Net.
