Angus and Alex of Financial News www.efinancialnews.com, were first inspired to create the Caledonian Challenge having experienced the excitement and challenge of Hong Kong's annual Trailwalker www.trailwalker.org.hk, which follows the route of the 100-km MacLehose Trail. Every year hundreds of teams walk the sixty-two miles through the mountains of the New Territories raising many thousands of Hong Kong dollars for charity - HK$90 million has been raised for charity since the first Trailwalker in 1981. Lord MacLehose, Governor of Hong Kong during the 70's and the creator of the MacLehose Trail, was himself a Scot and the mountains of Hong Kong reminded him of his home.
For Angus and Alex it seemed appropriate to bring the challenge home to the West Highlands and in 1997 the first Caledonian Challenge took place.
David Fox-Pitt
Caledonian Challenge Director
[email protected]
Mobile: + 44 (0) 7710 446 332
David has come from an events organising background, starting from hotel management and conference organising to planning Charity Dance functions, group outdoor activities and endurance events.
As one of the founding members of the Challenge, David has directed the growth of the walk from 16 walkers in 1997 to 1260 walkers in 2001, raising over £1 million for local Scottish charities.
Other events organised include Scotland’s toughest one-day event, The Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon which takes place every July, in, on, over and around the banks of Loch Tay. Rob's Run also takes place in July, two weeks after the Caledonian Challenge and starts from Strathconan and finishes 74 miles later at Inverie, Knoydart. Teams of two are expected to complete within 24 hours and a keen eye for navigation is essential. The Loch Ness Marathon is due to start mid September 2002 and will run the full 26 miles along the south side of Loch Ness, finishing at the Inverness Sports Stadium. David, and his team, also organise the annual Christmas Caledonian Challenge Ball, held in Edinburgh to celebrate the achievements of all walkers and to promote the following year. Finally, the August Perth Highland Ball takes place in the Perth Town Hall in aid of the Scottish Community Foundation.
David heads up a small-dedicated challenge team and is continuously on the road, presenting and promoting the challenge to corporate and private teams who have expressed an interest in joining the event.
Caroline Frame
Caledonian Challenge Co-ordinator
[email protected]
Mobile: +44 (0) 7970 067 538
Caroline was appointed as Co-ordinator after being associated with the last Challenge as a volunteer marshal and Graphic Designer. She produced the posters, flyers, brochures and new stationery.
Previously, Caroline worked for an Edinburgh-based event management company as Design & Marketing Director and prior to that she was a freelance Graphic Designer and still designs in her spare time.
Joining after the 2001 event, she plays an important role being the linchpin of the team. Caroline deals with all enquiries in the office, the registration process and encourages David to keep on the phone!