Hello there excited Coast To Coasters!

What are you hoping to read here we wonder.. That we’ve shortened the course? That we’ve made it easier? That a gentle north wind will blow? In fact, all we have to say here is that the course has not been changed. That the course and journey await you, silently. Then, on the mornings of the 18th and 19th September it will be populated with hundreds of you, having set your sights high, on personal missions, fund raising activities, families and friends on holiday, and some of you fulfilling your competitive urges. Tremendous. From now, watch the weather, because soon you’ll be taking great lungfuls of it up here in bonny (and rugged) Scotland.

We have a few more interesting developments coming your way: We will have an SMS text messaging service that will provide your result to your chosen phone number when you finish your event. Courtesy of Nokia and our timing partners you will get your time, on time, and soon after you have finished. Mobile numbers can be updated at registration ONLY.

During the event we have some online reporting for you: A news feed straight from HQ with highlights of the day, picture, views and weather, happenings and hurrahs, shouts and stories from the course, the camping and the nightlife. Watch our website and our Facebook group.

Just a quick preview of the starting sequence: On Saturday morning you will be asked to step into the mass start area from the side, and into a reasonable and self-assessed point on the fitness scale. That is, you might consider yourself fast, medium or slow (ish). Runners at the front  - walkers at the back. This will really help string people out nicely on the narrow riverside path.

Watch our website next week for the appearance of the Entry Lists for all categories, and please note your participant start number number for use at registration.

Essential Event Information
We have made a bumper manual for you to flick through. It provides the facts and maps all in one place. Take a look and download HERE, or pick your copy up at Registration at the event. We have some news within the essentials, so read it carefully. Let’s draw out a few points;

We are now shifting the Day 2 start window for Challengers to 0700 – 0900 allowing you more time to get ready in the morning, and still start when you wish that morning, at leisure.

The CUT-OFFS for this event have now been established. Read them carefully.

After 2000 each day the course closes, and after 1930 on Sunday no-one can go onto the water. It’s all doable for 99% of you though, and if there are one or two that have soldiered on to that point but miss the 1930 CUT-OFF we’ll look after you and get you to the party on time. Read the Essential Information for more final timing info.

Expert category will get their own Newsletter very soon.

To work through the Newsletters to date please look back at our News page HERE.

Nokia –Interactive Course Guide and Training Apps
Head to nokiaoutdoorseries.co.uk for your final training tips and advice on adventure racing. You’ll find key information on how to tackle the Nokia Coast to Coast route from Bruce Duncan’s interactive course guide. How to pace yourself? Where to find transition? How to keep upright and rotate your upper body as you kayak?

For your last minute training, make sure you download the award–winning Nokia Sports Tracker app from the Ovi Store. Turn your phone into a full-featured GPS sports computer so you can chart your progress, find your strengths and weaknesses, and share with others.

Don’t forget that Nokia has created a free downloadable screensaver which captures some beautiful scenes from across the course to keep you focused, excited and fully prepared for the race.

Rat Race Store Coast to Coast Clothing Range and Store Attendance
Limited Edition CtoC apparel and Buffs are now available. The apparel is strictly limited to 50 units per style and is selling fast (especially the Men’s and Women’s Marathon Jacket), so please reserve early if you would like to commemorate your adventure with some lovely Montane Kit. You can see it HERE.

Please that Rat Race Reward discount codes received with your race entry confirmation email are only redeemable online.

The Rat Race Store will be at the Saturday Registration and Finish Line. We’ll also have a stack of energy and recovery products on Saturday night at Fort Augustus.

Food and Drink at Fort Augustus and the Finish
We will be providing a catering facility at Fort Augustus where you can buy hot food and drinks on Saturday afternoon as you finish, late into the evening and again the next morning for breakfast. The event caterers will be serving up hot and hearty fare, fresh gourmet coffee, cold drinks and isontonic sports drinks, plus a few Highland specialities! For breakfast they will be running a grill for bacon, egg and sausage rolls and also providing some healthier options such as muesli, fruit and yoghurt. At Fort Augustus we’ll also have some local real ales available at our camp-site bar. The caterers and the bar will be situated at the camp-site. There are pubs and restaurants available in the village too and of course, if you want to cook up your own food on a stove that you bring with you in your bag, that is fine too.

At the finish line at Isles of Glencoe Hotel, we’ll be serving you hot soup and a roll with our compliments as you come across the line, then the caterers will be on site for the duration of the afternoon and evening for you to buy food and drink from. The bar will be serving too of course, both in the Isles of Glencoe Hotel and within the party tent.

Spa Treatment at Golf View Hotel in Nairn
Sonas Spas from Crerar Hotels offers leg massages for Coast to Coast Participants at a reduced rate of £25 per half hour. Therapists will ease away your tensions and ensure instant relaxation to get you ready for the adventure ahead. You can choose from deep tissue, Swedish or aromatherapy. There are limited spaces available so please pre-book directly with the hotel by dialing 01667 452 301.

R&R Physio Event Therapists
R&R Physios will be on hand at both the half way point and finish to help those tired limbs recover, and to assist with any niggles. They routinely treat -

- Back and Neck pain
- Sports Injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Joint Pain and Arthritis
- Postural Issues
- Repetitive Strain Injury
- Sciatica

There will be four fully qualified physios on site, and 15 minute slots are on a first come first served basis so please book early. Price is £10 per person and you can pre-book it via the Rat Race Store HERE.

Dinner Offers
This Coast to Coasting is hungry work and we have some cracking dinner offers for you pre and post event, from our hotel partners the Golf View Hotel in Nairn and the Isles of Glencoe Hotel in Glencoe. They are each offering a delicious 3 course meal for Coast to Coasters - please note that It is essential to book in advance to guarantee tables in their restaurants. If you wish to book please contact hotels directly - details below.

The Golf View Hotel Dinner Menu is offered £29.95 per person for 3 courses and there is choice from a beautiful range of dishes which change on a daily basis, featuring fresh local Scottish ingredients. You can see a sample menu HERE. To book, call them on 01667 452 301 and ask to book in for dinner. It's a cracking spot to gaze out over the Moray Firth and enjoy the sun setting before you set off on your epic adventure.

Cawdor Castle Transition Bus Transfer
For those who wish to cycle their bikes to the Cawdor Castle transition, there will be bus transport available back from Cawdor Castle to Nairn (registration) on Friday between 1300 and 2100 and on Saturday between 1300 and 2100. There are no set times for the bus - it will leave when a group gathers. The cost is £3 paid when boarding.

Car Park Reminder
For the registration please do NOT park your car at Nairn Community Centre’s own car park where registration takes place. Please also avoid Viewfield Drive as we will need access for very large vehicles. There is plenty of car parking around Nairn. You can park your car on the streets of Nairn, or public car parks. Please remember to obey local parking regulations and respect the local residents.

Please note that there is 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.

Your Details:
If you are interested in volunteering to be part of the Coast to Coast Event Crew, then please email us at crew@nokiacoasttocoast.com Next News from us will be in first week of September. Happy training.

You will receive one more email with final details from us next Tuesday. We will publish the start list on the website on the same day.

The Coast to Coast Team