A record number of competitors gathered in Highland Perthshire at the weekend to take on what has become known as Scotland’s toughest one-day event.
Almost 400 hardy souls took to the stunning countryside amid soaring temperatures for the 14th annual Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon.
The gruelling challenge tasked them to swim, walk, kayak and cycle more than 80km, taking in no fewer than seven Munros along the way.
While 260 stepped up to the mark in 2012, 111 more took up the baton this year, delighting organisers and illustrating the growing reputation of the event.
Among the field were regular participant Mark Beaumont and Scottish rugby star Rob Wainwright.
Years of challenges on foot, on bike and in the water clearly helped the former as he and teammate Bruce Duncan completed the course in the fastest time. In time-honoured tradition, they took up a cavalry sword to split a watermelon on the shores of Loch Tay to signal the end of their race.
The challenge continued for the remaining 382 competitors, however, and the timer was showing more than 16 hours before the final weary challengers crossed the finishing line.
Beaumont enjoyed a superb event and thanked his team-mate, organisers WildFox events and the support teams for their efforts.
“I loved it, but it was very tough,” he said.
Event operations manager Andrew Hastings said: “It is a real challenge for them and I think that when they arrive and see Loch Tay and Ben Lawers the arena in which they will do battle they are hit by a combination of terror and awe. What makes this event special is that they nonetheless feel they can take on that challenge because of the support they receive, both from our team and the very top athletes.”