Staged on the internationally renowned World Championships downhill track at Nevis Range near Fort William, a full-on, flat-out, no-compromise charge down the face of Aonach Mor, the gruelling challenge involved hurtling down the 2.82km track as many times as possible in 6 hours.

Despite what can only be described as an epic feat, six riders managed to complete a bonkers 18 runs of the stamina draining track (a total of 50.76km) in six hours, and in the end the results came down to individual run times. Fastest overall was local rider Fergus Lamb, who completed his 18 runs in a total of 1hr 38m 58s (not including gondola rides and pit stops), averaging 5m 48s per run.

James Shirley, from Roy Bridge, was just over six minutes behind Lamb averaging 5m 82s with Veteran rider Alistair MacLennan, also from Fort William, taking third spot and averaging just over 6 minutes per run.

The unique event started with a Le Mans-style mass start, involving a 100m sprint along a forestry track to pick up the bikes. The 6 hour time limit didn’t start until the first bike was loaded onto the gondola. An impressive 89 riders made the journey to Fort William and in all managed an eye watering 1166 runs, covering a total distance of 3288.12 km. Or to put it another way, the same as descending Everest 73.2 times.

Frazer Coupland of No Fuss Events, organisers of the Fort William Downhill Endurance, says: “We were waiting in great anticipation for this event just to see how it would go down with the downhill community. The chat among riders was very positive with comments like ‘in 14 years of racing that was best event I have ever done’ and ‘this is the future of downhill racing, it beats one 5 minute blast down the hill and its great value for money.

“No Fuss are delighted with how it went on the day and a total of 18 runs from the top riders was way beyond our expectations. Also Nevis Range, the Forestry commission, Lochaber College and 661 products got right behind the event to help us make it a fantastic day for both riders and spectators alike. We really hope that we can grow this event next year, possibly incorporating the new intermediate track into the race too.”

Marian Austin, General Manager of Nevis Range, says: “We were delighted to work with the No Fuss team and the event partners on this extreme downhill mountain biking event, the fourth and final event to be held on the Nevis Range downhill track this season.

“The typical Fort William weather was ideal, dry but not too hot! The riders were suitably challenged by the world-renowned, World Cup downhill track, but still managed a staggering number of runs in the 6 hours! It was also great to see a strong turnout of local riders who are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. We’re sure we’ll see even more of them on the podiums at events like this in years to come!

“We’re coming to the close of the 2008 bike season, and the downhill track will open for its last day this season on Sunday 14 September, Scottish weather permitting! The construction of the new intermediate track is well underway and on schedule to open at the start of the 2009 season. So watch out for details of the new 2009 season opener event sometime in mid May 09.”