Media FAQs

Where does the Caledonian Challenge take place?

Through some of Scotland's most, remote, rugged and stunningly beautiful landscapes. Starting at Gairlochy, your team will walk the famous Great Glen Ways and West Highland Way footpaths via Checkpoints at Fort William, Kinlochleven, Glencoe Ski Centre and Inveroran, before finishing the Challenge at Auchtertyre. View CALEDONIAN CHALLENGE ROUTE to find out more.

For images of parts of the route visit our media gallery here.

Have you a shortlist of event facts and figures?

  • Since 1997, over 14,000 walkers have taken part in the Caledonian Challenge.
  • In total, the Caledonian Challenge walkers have raised over £11M for the Scottish Community Foundation, benefiting small charities and community groups throughout Scotland.
  • The Caledonian Challenge is more than the equivalent of two marathons back-to-back and the accumulative height gained on the Challenge is the equivalent of climbing Ben Nevis twice.
  • On average, each walker takes 108,000 steps along the 54 mile route.
  • The number of miles accumulatively walked by 2010 participants is the equivalent of two and half times around the Earth.
  • During the 24 hour Challenge, walkers drink on average 15 litres of water.
  • Each walker burns off between 8,000 - 10, 000 calories during the walk.
  • The record time for the Caledonian Challenge is 9 hours, 38 mins.
  • Altogether, around 9,000 pairs of socks are worn by the walkers during each event.
  • In 2010, walkers carbo-loaded on 500lbs of pasta
  • The Challenge's unsung heroes include over 250 volunteers, including people from the Army, and Scout Association, as well as beneficiaries of Scottish Community Foundation funds. Around 350 support teams also play a vital role providing food, blister treatment and tender loving care to exhausted walkers.

Can I take part as member of the media and report on my experience and training in the build up?

Where possible members of the media can join existing Caledonian Challenge teams to report on the event. Event entry fees are covered and to ensure all aspect of the Caledonian Challenge experience media participants are expected to train, fundraise and be active team members throughout the Challenge. Media keen to cover the event from a volunteer's perspective are also welcome and can contact the Events Team about joining the volunteer crews that play a vital role in delivering the event.

When is the best time to write about the event?

Registrations to take part in the Caledonian Challenge start to gain momentum in November of the previous year so preview coverage for the event usually builds from them. Following the New Year,  participants keen to stick to their resolutions sign up and there is scope to cover individual team preparations as well as general preview pieces. From mid to late April teams are finalised and the focus begins to turn to fundraising activities and individual human interest and unusual team stories. These continue after the event finishes in June with follow up pieces running until mid July.

Have you high resolution images and Broadcast quality footage of the event?

There is a gallery of some of he most spectacular aspects of the route available to download here and for broadcast quality footage of the event please contact our Events Team on 0131 524 0350.

What types of media coverage does the event receive?

 With up to 1000 participants from all walks of life taking part every year from all over the world there are a huge number of event stories waiting to be told. In the past media coverage has included:

  • Outdoor travel pieces
  • First person feature on taking the 'Walk of Your Life'
  • Workplace features on team building in all types of industry from teams of lawyers, construction workers and doctors to groups of teachers and bankers.
  • Human interest stories on participant overcoming personal adversity
  • News pieces on extreme and unusual fundraising activity
  • Behind the scenes features on the event itself and those working on it
  • Health and Fitness articles with reference to the training regime
  • Features on unique and unusual teams
  • Features on the Scottish Community Foundation funded projects that benefit from the monies raised by walkers on the Challenge

For examples of some of these types of coverage and notes on potential feature opportunities please click here:

Do you have an onsite press officer at the event and

are there media facilities on site?

 For details of wi fi access at the event HQ and finish point please contact our Events Team on 0131 524 0350. We will have a dedicated photographer to capture each team in action at the event so for any particular image requests please let our Events Team know in advance of the event.