The Lowepro Fort William Endurance Downhill takes place on Saturday 8th July 2017 with racing starting at 3:30pm and ending at 9:30pm.

>>> West Highland Way and Fort William route

The goal is to survive as many descents as possible in six hours or be the first to complete 15 runs, whichever comes first.

That’s a whole lotta downhilling!

The Lowepro Endurance Downhill is promoted as one of the world’s toughest downhill race designed to test endurance and also reliability and the rider. It first debuted back in 2009 but the event has been rested for the past few seasons. It’s back for 2017 though.

Rules and format

Participants will only be allowed one bike and a list of itemised spares to see them through the whole event. At the bottom of each run participants have the opportunity to enter the tech area to carry out any running repairs, replenish fluids and to take a breather, then it’s back on the gondola for another punishing run.

Event information can be found at http://nofussevents.co.uk/events/endurance-downhill-2017-july-8

The Fort William Downhill course is one of the longest and most physically demanding courses on the international mountain bike race circuit; riders of this gruelling event will need physical strength, quick reflexes, superb bike control and an unnerving eye for the right line as they speed down the 2.82km track. They will also need huge amounts of stamina in order to ride the track as many times as possible in six hours.

Le Mans start

In normal downhill races, riders race individually against the clock. For the Lowepro Fort William Downhill Endurance riders will use a Le Mans style mass start. After a short run to the event tech area, downhill bikes, enduro bikes and hardtails will be collected and ridden uphill to the Nevis Range gondola tower nine – about three quarters of the way down from the top. Riders will then race as fast as possible to the bottom where they will catch the gondola to the traditional start of the track at the top station. From here it is simple – as many descents as possible in six hours or first to complete 15 runs, whichever comes first.

Outdoor Capital of the UK based No Fuss Events have announced that Lowepro will be the title sponsor of the Fort William Endurance Downhill. Lowepro equipment is designed to support the modern digital storytellers whether it be adventure, travel, music, wildlife or sport.

Chris O’Brien, Destination Manager for the area said “It’s fantastic to see the Outdoor Capital’s premier events business, No Fuss Events, partnering with Lowepro who are true outdoor innovators! I have no doubt that this partnership will raise the profile of The Fort William Endurance Downhill as well as bringing even more people to Fort William to enjoy this spectacular part of the MTB calendar!

Sponsored by Lowepro

Lowepro will be the title sponsor of the Fort William Endurance Downhill. Lowepro celebrates its 50th birthday by sponsoring the No Fuss Endurance DH race at Fort William. Tim Sadler, Lowepro’s Brand Director said of the deal “I first raced the Endurance Downhill after Michael Bonney sorted me out with a bike and lift in the Orange van back in 2010, seeing the race back this year I had to get the brand on board to support this unique event which takes place on a mountainside where Lowepro feels perfectly at home”.

Frazer Coupland from No Fuss Events said “We are delighted to be working with Tim and Lowepro, the Endurance Downhill event is legendary. With the huge development in bikes since we last held this race it is going to be very interesting to see how tactics will change. The big question is who will win Downhill or Enduro?”

Michael Bonney from No Fuss said “it’s fantastic to see this race back on the calendar and have Tim and Lowepro supporting it. No other event provides the same test of rider and bike with the winning rider needing 15 runs in the six hours of the event when even the World Cup downhill racers might only do 10 runs in the three days of an event. One for the racer who can get the best from his body and bike as well as going quicker than the competition.”