Mad HaT Challenge

Two fundraisers John Gunn and Christopher Godfrey-Faussett have set themselves a challenge called the Mad HaT Challenge, by utilising human power only to travel right across Scotland along the line of four degrees west of longitude from Kirkcudbright in the south to Strathy Point on the North coast. The idea of the Mad HaT challenge is a race between the Hare and the Tortoise with the H standing for hare and the T for tortoise. The challenge event which is raising funds in aid of Prostate Scotland, the Kings Royal Hussars Appeal and the Borders ChildrenCharity involves one of the participants Christopher doing the 290 mile journey on foot and the other John doing so by bicycle along the line of four degrees round the West Coast of Scotland. The aim of the challenge is to see who completes their course first. The challenge starts on Thursday 2 June 2011 and they aim to reach Strathy Point on Friday 10 June 2011.

John's cycle around the west coast will provide many and varied undulations presented by the coastal road, including a climb from Kishorn up the steep glen of Allt Chumhaing, which has been described as the most severe climb on a UK road taking him from sea level to 2100 feet in five miles. John will also be hopping from the coast to various islands including Arran and Skye. In all he will cycle almost 800 miles.

Christopher's run along the line of four degrees west of longitude is more direct, however, in order to give himself a little leeway he is able to divert up to 500 metres west or east of the line, but within this zone he has to climb every mountain and hill that rises in front of him and cross every river, loch or firth that he encounters. Should you wish to support them in their endeavour or follow their progress they have a website which is to be found at http://www.madhatchallenge.co.uk/