A record number of walkers crossed the finish line of the fourth annual Cateran Yomp at the weekend.
More than 500 fearless fundraisers took on the rugged Perthshire and Angus countryside.
Each of the 570 entrants completed one of three routes to raise £380,000 for ABF The Soldiers Charity.
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To mark Armed Forces Day, 120 serving soldiers and veterans joined the event, including a group of US Marines from the Wounded Warrior Regiment.
A yomp is a military term for a long distance march and, although it may be part of an ordinary day’s work for the nation’s armed forces, it was a massive test for the weekend’s participants.
They were challenged to go for bronze (22 miles), silver (36.5 miles), or gold.
Undeterred by the 54-mile hike that lay ahead of them, one gold team completed the longest route in just 12 hours.
Team Gurkha Intake 12/09 was first across the finishing line, with an impressive time of 12 hours and 29 seconds.
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Entrant Pratap Moktan said: “The entire experience has been amazing. It’s been a great triumph.
“Being able to help each other get past those points of pain and push ourselves to our limits for such worthy causes has highlighted just how great human determination can be.”
The fastest non-military team were the Fifie Wifies, comprising Louise Burt, Julia Neufeind and Liz Killean.
They finished in an amazing 12 hours and 55 minutes.
A triumphant Liz thanked the organisers, saying it was: “A great event for a great charity.”
Although he did not break any records, Scottish rugby legend Rob Wainwright was on hand to offer encouragement to weary travellers.
He started off the epic challenge and continued to champion teams around the route, which follows the historic Cateran Trail through the hills and glens of Strathardle, Glenshee and Glenisla.
Throughout the route, walkers are given incredible support from the organisers and volunteers with everything from ziplines and clay pigeon shooting to personal fireworks shows and even a disco in the forest to keep their spirits up.
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“It’s been great to be part of such a buzzing event,” said Rob. “The training has been tough and took me back beyond rugby to my early army days.
“Being a participant myself this year, I have huge respect for my fellow yompers, coming through such a tough challenge and raising so much money for the many fantastic causes, particularly ABF The Soldiers Charity.”
The annual event has raised a total of £1.4 million for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the Alliance Trust Staff Foundation, which supports local projects working with disadvantaged youth.
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Next year’s Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp takes place on June 13 and potential participants can register their interest now at www.soldierscharity.org/yomp.
For the full results, see Tuesday’s Courier.