THE ISLAND MUNROS TRIATHLON
A non-stop triathlon journey over the Scottish Island Munros.
300km and 7000m+ of ascent.
Never before have all of the Scottish Island Munros been attempted in a single non-stop push with all 300km and 7000m of ascent being completed by running, cycling and swimming through the dramatic landscape of the North West Highlands.
The clock will start on Sgurr nan Eag, marking the start of the Greater Cuillin Traverse, which is considered to be the UK’s finest mountaineering challenge. The route will take in all 12 Munros, which are mountains over 914m, on the Isle of Syke. This entails over 27kms and 4500m+ of ascent, which is normally done over two days, and requires expert route finding and rock climbing to be undertaken in dramatic and exposed situations throughout its length. However, this will only be the beginning of the adventure to come.
Once down from the last Skye Munro, Bla Bheinn, Alex and Mike will transition to bikes and begin the 250km/155-mile cycle along some of the North West Highlands most beautiful and gruelling roads to the sleepy coastal village of Lochaline. This will arguably be the toughest part of the challenge physically and mentally as the first night comes and goes and the distance starts to take its toll on the team.
Wetsuits will then be needed as they take to the frigid waters of the Sound of Mull to complete the 2.5km/1.5-mile swim across to Fishnish. The strong tidal races and busy shipping routes make for a daring crossing especially after a full night on the bikes. Sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion will need careful management to make landfall on the Isle of Mull. It is here that Alex and Mike will get back on their bikes for the final time to cycle a further 30km to the base of the last Munro, Ben More. With a further 1000m climb separating them from the summit, the end will finally be in sight and within close striking distance.
ROUTE STATISTICS
RUN 01
THE CUILLIN TRAVERSE
Glen Brittle Campsite to Bla Bheinn car park
27.2km + 4500m+
CYCLE 01
NW HIGHLANDS RIDE
Bla Bheinn car park to Lochaline
243km + 1200m
SWIM
THE SOUND OF MULL
Lochaline to Fishnish point
2.48km
CYCLE 02
FINAL RIDE
Fishnish Ferry to Dhiseig
23.6km + 80m
RUN 02
SUMMIT PUSH
Dhiseig to Summit
4.36km + 945m
SUPPORT TEAM
Throughout the challenge, Alex and Mike will be supported by a team of close friends and family. The Greater Cuillin Traverse will be done is a self-sufficient style but the following cycles, swim and run will have aid stations at regular intervals and a safety boat to accompany them on the swim.
All funds will be raised in support of The Martin Moran Foundation, a charity close to the hearts of Alex, Mike and the whole support team. The charity was set up in the name of the pioneering mountaineer Martin Moran, who we sadly lost in the Himalayas in 2019. What it aims to achieve is to make the outdoors accessible to young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to engage, learn and thrive in the outdoor environment. The Martin Moran Foundation is sponsored by Mountain Equipment who will also be promoting and assisting with the Island Munros Triathlon.
ATHLETES
Alex and Mike both have long histories in mountain sport and endurance challenges. Both were lucky enough to grow up in the North West Highlands of Scotland in Lochcarron village. Inspired by the dramatic mountains of home, they have carried on their mountaineering, skiing, cycling and running interests throughout the world.
THE MARTIN MORAN ROUND
SUMMER 2022
Athlete Robin Downie will take on the first ever 'Martin Moran Round', an endurance race through the NW Highlands of Scotland, covering over 90 km in distance, 29,166 ft in ascent including 9 Munros and 6 Corbetts, all in support of The Martin Moran Foundation.
The total elevation covered on this epic race is 8,890m (29,166 ft), yes, you heard correctly, that is over the height of Everest in one non-stop push through the Highlands most rugged and challenging mountain landscapes!
Inspired by the local mountains of his youth and Martin's own record breaking Munros round back in 1984, Robin dreamt up this epic challenge to raise funds for the Foundation and push his own personal limits.
Growing up in Lochcarron, in the NW Highlands of Scotland, I have always had a love for the amazing landscapes around me. I first met Joy and Martin as a youngster through the local community and I remember Joy giving me a second hand racing bike that she had used to tour the Alps with Martin. This sparked the fire in me to get out more and I used the bike to race up the local hills.
In 2016 I signed up to the local Celtman extreme triathlon for the first time and soon I had developed a new passion for hill running. I went on to complete the Celtman twice, Glencoe Skyline, Snowdon Skyline and the Thorxtri triathlon in Norway. I also wanted to spend as much time as I could in the hills in Torridon and Achnashellach.
Over the last 4years I have been working out a route similar to the difficulty of the other big rounds in Britain such as the Ramsey Round and so the idea of The Martin Moran Round was born.
These were Martin's local hills, he knew them better than anyone and shared them with many of us throughout his life. Martin spent lots of time investing in the community he lived in, especially in the young people. Hearing about his adventures and reading his books has inspired me to push and challenge myself even further in my love for hill running.
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Robin has meticulously planned out this route taking in all 9 Munros in Torridon and Achnashellach including several Corbetts.
We will be updating this page with maps, dates and updates on Robin's training as the challenge gets closer!
If you would like to support Robin in this amazing challenge and help more young people experience the mountains, click the link below!
