Tornado completes the 2009 Corrieyairack Challenge

On the 4 July, 12 employees from Tornado took part in the annual Corrieyairack Challenge to raise money for the Speyside Trust.

Pictured, from left to right - Ella (Sales Administration); Anna (Marketing); Lisa (Distribution) and Caroline (Purchasing)

The charity provides 24-hour respite care activity holidays for adults and children of all abilities, http://www.corrieyairack.org/. This can only be described as a very long walk in the Highlands with a 26 mile bike ride to cool down; this is the sixth time we have participated in the event and our enthusiasm never wanes.

The event starts at Fort Augustus, with two miles of tarmac…to warm up before starting the long climb of the Corrieyairack Pass - Scotland's highest mountain road which was once used by Bonnie Prince Charlie, rising from 60 metres at the start to 775 metres at the top. Around the 10 mile point, we start to descend towards a rocky track and then onto a tarmac estate road to Garva Bridge where the changeover from foot to bike occurs; this is the point all the walkers look forward to as they can rest their tired feet and wave the bikers off for the final 26 mile leg.

The majority of the team did the walk only (…we had a reality check) with Douglas Burns surprising everyone by competing in the run \ bike category; the first person in Tornado’s history to compete in this category and finishing in a very respectable time of 5 hours and 20 minutes. Overall the team had a fantastic weekend, with the gloomy weather forecast holding off providing us with glorious sunshine and despite aching limbs and blisters we all felt a sense of achievement at the end!

Tornado MD Kenny Campbell said “This is an event we have supported several times in the past and always proves to be worthwhile, both in terms of raising money and meeting personal challenges. It is also a great opportunity to see some stunning Scottish scenery close up and a rare chance for the people from our three sites to get together. The Corrieyairack is a real challenge – particularly for those more used to a sedentary lifestyle. It was very encouraging to see the levels of commitment displayed by those taking part, which included several months training and preparation."

The Trust hopes to achieve £52,000 in sponsorship, of which £3500 will have been raised by Tornado; made possible by generous donations from friends and family, suppliers and customers. Tornado also wishes to extend its gratitude and thanks to the organisers for getting us to the start, providing those much needed water stations on the way and finally getting us all safely back.

Training for next years Corrieyairack Challenge starts now!