Welcome to our 3rd Nokia Coast to Coast newsletter – read on for some event updates and one or two re-caps on some important admin info related to the event. For those of you who have not received the first or second newsletters, please click here to view the past news.

From the course
Summer is in full swing in the Highlands and our route planners have been busy on course preparations, whilst enjoying some fabulous running, riding and kayaking. For those of you looking for accommodation, there are still options available, but do hurry as fellow Nokia Coast to Coast participants are already taking over the major portion of the Highlands’ spare rooms! Read on for our latest news and some important admin info concerning this year’s event...

The countdown has begun with Nokia
They’ve captured some beautiful scenes from across the course, and created a free downloadable screensaver to get you focused, excited and fully prepared for the race.

Nokia have teamed up with one of UK’s top adventure racers Bruce Duncan, to provide you with expert tips on training for the Nokia Coast to Coast from now until event day. With 6 weeks to go, you should be well into your training, so head here to watch more tips and useful advice from those in the know.

Bruce Duncan: “With only a few weeks to go before the event you should be spending as much time as possible getting outside and doing each sport. Mountain biking is key, as it is different to road riding. You require more balance and agility in order to adapt to the rough terrain. It is also important to get used to running off-road. Trail running is again, very different to road running as your stride is broken up, and it is much harder to get into a rhythm. Try and be running about 20km a week, building up to running 20km in one go before the event weekend.  Kayaking should not be forgotten – this is key to building up your core muscles. Go out for a couple of 1 hour kayak sessions to get used to paddling between now and the event.”

To give your training a further boost choose one of thousands of apps available from the Ovi Store on your Nokia. Sports Tracker app is your ‘ultimate training companion’ which monitors your distance, speed and time so you can show off what you have done in training, to your friends.

On top of this, Nokia have also put together an interactive course guide which allows you to view the course, and receive expert advice on how to tackle the key features of the route. Look at the stunning panoramic photos and think of yourself there in a few weeks – you’ll get excited. You can also view the entire Nokia Coast to Coast course on Ovi Maps with free Sat Nav to get started with your route familiarisation.

Rat Race Store
Have you used your Rat Race Reward £10 voucher yet? If not, click here to visit the event store at RatRaceStore.com and see the recommended kit. If you have used your Rat Race reward voucher then why not sign up to the Store members' email and receive 10% off all orders. Click here to sign up.

Castle Cawdor bus transfer
There will be bus transport available from Castle Cawdor to Nairn (registration) on Friday between 1300 and 2100 and on Saturday between 1300 and 2100. There is no set times for the bus - it will leave when a group gathers. The cost is £2 paid when boarding.

Accommodation
Please note that we do not organise camping in Nairn or Glencoe. If you are looking for accommodation near Glencoe; here are some places that we have checked recently. Don’t leave the accommodation booking too long as the place as it is filling up fast.

Glencoe:
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/townlisting.asp?town=Glencoe
http://www.glencoe-cottages.com/
http://www.onich-fortwilliam.co.uk/
http://www.clachaig.com/
http://www.tigh-na-cheo.co.uk/index.html
http://www.hollytreehotel.co.uk/
http://www.cuilcheanna.co.uk/
http://www.glencoehostel.co.uk/

Bag drop update (Challenger and Racer Class)
The bag which you will leave at Nairn registration for us to transport can be max 65 litres and weigh no more than 15kg. This is due to the weight limitation of our transporting vehicles and we will be checking bag weights. Please do not pack any fragile items or liquids in weak containers as they may leak in transit. If you are camping on the night before the start of the event in Nairn you will be able to leave your bag on the morning of the event.

The tent cannot weigh more than 5kg per person. This weight may be increased if more than 1 person is sleeping in the tent. i.e. 1 person 5kg, 2 people 10kg. No tent over 15kg will be transported by us. Your observance of these limits will enable the event logistics to work well - thank you.

To recap - max 1 bag per person, size limit is 65 litres and of 15kg max, plus a tent weighing no more than 5kg per person.

Bag drop timings for Challengers:
1200 - 2300 - Friday 17th September at the registration
0600 - 0700 - Saturday 18th September at the registration

Bag drop timings for Racers:
1200 - 2300 - Saturday 18th September at the registration
0500 - 0600 - Sunday 19th September at the registration

Bike Transitions - IMPORTANT (for Challenger and Racer Class)
Only participants will be allowed IN and OUT bike transitions.

To take the bike out of the transition area you will need your Start Number and wristband (you will receive both items at the registration).

In each bike transition you will need to leave your bike next to your start number. Start list will be published on the website a week before the event.

NOTE: If you want your friend/family member to pick up your bike from Fort William or the finish line you will need to sign consent at the registration allowing releasing the bike to that specific person. We will need their name and contact number. They will receive a pass from us which will allow them to pick up your bike from the transition.

Castle Cawdor Bike Transition Reminder
Once you leave your bike in the bike transition you will not be able to remove it until you pick up the bike during the event. You will still be able to perform maintenance on your bike while in the bike compound. Bikes can only be brought in and not OUT before the event. This is for security reasons.

ATTACHED to your bike you will be able to leave:
- bike helmet
- bike shoes (if indeed you choose to use these in the event)
- bike gloves and glasses inside bike shoes (if you choose to use)
- water bottle
- tools and accessories (e.g. pump, puncture repair kit)

Please refer to the event mandatory kit list on each category page to ensure that your kit planning is complete.

You cannot leave any other items in the bike transition area. Once you leave the bike transition on the day of the event you have to take all your belongings with you including any rubbish, and no kit interaction with spectators or supporters will happen here unless you are in the Expert Category. No items will be transported by us from this location.

Fort William Bike Transition Reminder (Challengers and Racers Class)
At the Fort William transition ATTACHED to your bike you will be able to leave the following:

- bike helmet
- bike shoes (if indeed you used these in the event)
- bike gloves and glasses inside bike shoes (if you have used these)
- water bottle
- tools and accessories (e.g. pump, puncture repair kit)

You cannot leave any other items in the bike transition area. If any items are left loose with the bike we will not transport them. For those who have not booked the transport back to the start line we offer two options of bike transport. Your bike can:

- stay in Fort William for you to pick it up on Sunday evening or Monday morning (you must pick up your bike before 10am on Monday)
- be transported to Isle of Glencoe Hotel on Sunday evening

Please note that at this stage we cannot commit to a time when we will transport your bike to the finish line from Fort William.

We have prepared a short survey that we will ask you to complete and this will enable us to plan the logistics appropriately. Please click HERE to fill the survey. Please note that we need an answer from each person and not a team answer.

NOTE: You will HAVE to tell us whether you want your bike to be transported to the finish line or not, otherwise it will remain in Fort William.

Fort Augustus Camping (Challenger category only)
Please indicate in the same survey HERE if you are planning to camp in Fort Augustus on Saturday night. It will help us in planning the area. The facilities on the campsite will include: toilets, showers and catering.

Car Park (start and finish)
For the registration please do NOT park your car at the Nairn Community Centre where the registration takes place. Please also avoid Viewfield Drive as we need an access for large vehicles. There is no appointed car park in Nairn. You can park your car on the streets of Nairn which is free.

Note that there is a limited parking space at the finish. Please be patient when directed by marshals.

Crewing
Are you keen to get involved in the Coast to Coast but not sure if it’s for you? Are you supporting friends or relatives who have entered? Are you looking for work experience in the events or adventure sectors? Or do you just want to spend some time in a beautiful place with some great people behind the scenes at a cool event? If so, why not join the Coast to Coast crew and see what goes on behind the scenes! Roles are varied, but each and every crew member has an important and valued role to play at the event. You will need to be adaptable and hard-working, plus use initiative and be quick-thinking in dealing with situations whether they are at HQs or in a remote location on the course. The role of an event crew member is demanding... but extremely rewarding at the same time. You will be warmly welcomed by the event team and you are sure to find your days a most rewarding experience.

The Reward for your Help:
Not only will you have a great day out we will also offer you some nice rewards in return for your help! The offers will vary depending on role however they will usually include some money or Rat Race Store vouchers as well as discount entry to some of our events.

Our Nokia Coast to Coast merchandise and special offers newsletter will follow next week. Happy training.

The Coast to Coast Team