Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon

One day. Four challenges. Have you got what it takes?

Test your stamina, strength and nerve as you swim, hike/run, paddle and pedal through the stunning grandeur of Loch Tay and the Ben Lawers mountain range in the Scottish Highlands. This event is for teams of two and is designed for fit individuals as well as experienced athletes.

Now in its twelfth year, the Kindrochit Quadrathlon combines four tests of your strength and endurance:

- Swim 0.8mile across Loch Tay
- Navigate and climb 7 Munros
- Kayak 7 miles
- Cycle 34 miles round Loch Tay

The clock only stops when you take the sword and slice a watermelon in two, before a fabulous post-event party feast and fireworks on the banks of Loch Tay. After all the sweat and tears it is a chance to finally kick back and celebrate what you have achieved yourself and for others.

282 of the 291 participants who took part in event the 2011 made it over the finish line. Simon Read and Paul Christensen of the Black Swans came in first with a time of 9h 3min. Jake Stephens set a new record for swimming across Loch Tay (a distance of 0.8 miles) in seventeen minutes.

Since 2005 the Kindrochit Quadrathlon has helped raise a staggering £3.9 million for Mercy Corps’ work to bring hope to 14.5 million people in the world’s poorest countries. Last year’s Quadrathlon funded a project that helped 8,946 indigenous families secure their own land in Guatemala.

The 2011 Quadrathlon is funding long-term support and training for farmers in the Asian country of Timor Leste. Mercy Corps hopes that this work will help 22,500 to people break out of the cycle of poverty in a country where 70% of the population survive on just £1.50 a day.

20% of the money that was raised for the Kindrochit Quadrathlon 2011 is also supporting Mary’s Meals. This Scottish charity supports the education of over 500,000 hungry children in Africa, South America and Eastern Europe by providing daily meals to schools.

The success of all our events depends on the hard work, commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers. Contact WildFox staff if you want to join the team at The Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon.

Events Manager: Andrew Hastings

Check out Wildfox’s Flikr site to see our top selection of images from 2011.

Race Tips

• DO cold water swimming training
• DO practice navigating in bad weather
• DO train in the hills
• DON'T leave looking at the kit list until the last minute
• DON'T forget your compass

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• At age 51 I started training, with the 2011 Kindrochit as my target. I’ve since done Olympic Triathlons but Kindrochit’s difference for me is : Purpose – the hill section is tough so come the bike leg, 8 hours later, you’re running on empty. What drives you on is the image of John’s Mercy Corps kids that will be fed through the pain we endure. Camaraderie – Mountain Rescue dog teams camped on misty mountain peaks, Rescue boatsx10, Massage Angels , Orcadian Ceilidh Dancing – this is not an individual event but a team of 450 all working to achieve significant common good. Nothing’s too hard. Location – you’ll never get a more picturesque event and the sense of tranquillity standing at the Loch side in moonlight and at 5am is just awesome and you appreciate how lucky we are If the mantra is “One Life, Live It” then it should also be “One Challenge, Kindroch It” - Charlie Ward
• Just a quick one to say, "what an event!" Hardest thing I've ever done in my life but...the total pain and complete exhaustion is already beginning to give way to thoughts of achievement. The purpose of this blether is really to express how impressed we were with the organisation of the whole event. Really, second to none. Unbeknown to us, our work colleagues, who happened to be on shift, were monitoring our "progress" online which was brilliant. I'd love to say I'm going to go for it next year but will have to see. I think it was just about too much for me. Having said that, I'm a sucker for a challenge! - Norman McGlashan and Davie Threadgold
• Firstly can I start by saying what a great job you guys did this weekend with the Quadrathlon. It was a lot of fun and so well organised from the catering, marquees, band, red cross staff, volunteers etc etc. I have done a number of events - Three Peaks, British Gas Energy Challenge, Caledonian Challenge and by far your event was the best organised of the lot. A special thanks to the army of volunteers at each check points who were so helpful not only in giving us more fluids and food but going the extra mile to do this with a smile of their faces and a genuine warmth. It made so much difference as we were changing kit etc to have someone change out your Camelbak for you. Certainly from a competitor's point of view the event went very smoothly so I hope you all get a few days to draw some breath – well done indeed it must be quite a challenge in itself putting something like that together and you pulled it off brilliantly. - Jamie White
• Just wanted to pass on our appreciation of all the hard work you guys put in over the weekend. It was a fantastic event and superbly well organised in every respect. We obviously enjoyed winning but it really was just brilliant to be part of such a great day out and the evening wasn't too bad either!!! The band was fab and after the crowd got warmed up the dancing was cool too! - Graeme Gatherer and Graham Johnston
• I just wanted to get in touch to thank you and your team for an outstanding race on Saturday. I have done my share of endurance racing over the past 10 years or so and the AGKQ was by far the best organised event I have ever competed in, right down to the enthusiasm and professionalism of all the volunteer stewards. I, and my team mate Angus, had a fantastic weekend. We were amazed at the enthusiasm and support from the locals, too...notably on the bike stage. It was truly memorable. - Oliver Houchell
• Thanks for the great weekend...awesome time...and very well organised... - Will Watson
• Just a quick note to thank you for all the effort you and your team put into Kindrochit this year. It is an event that is difficult to picture before the day itself, but the reality is truly spectacular. The atmosphere is a subtle blend of participants taking what is a mammoth course as seriously as it should be taken and of light-hearted bonhomie. Scottie and I enjoyed every minute of it (especially when it was over) and this was in large part due to the helpfulness and warmth of the variety of people who made up the array of organisers and helpers. Too early to talk about next year but I fear that, having tasted Kindrochit once, any race calendar would look rather bland without it. - Dominic Herbert and Scott Leonard