VIDEO: Intrepid athletes from across the world to test their endurance in Highland hills

TWO THOUSAND athletes from across the world will test their endurance in the wild hills of Scotland next month as part of an adventure race across the mountainous Highland landscape.

The Coast to Coast 2018 weaves its way 105 miles from Nairn to Ballachulish through the Great Glen and includes running, cycling and kayaking legs.

The event, organised by Rat Race Adventure Sports, takes in stunning lochs, enchanting forests and rugged mountains and will push the competitors to their limits.

Since it was first staged in 2007, more than 10,000 intrepid adventurers have taken on this challenge, many coming from outwith Scotland.

The athletes, taking part on their own or in pairs, will set off from Nairn on the Moray Firth early in the morning of Saturday September 8.

They start with a seven mile trek / run to Cawdor Castle, followed by a 48 mile road cycle along the edge of Loch Ness and a half mile run (that includes a 500 metre kayak on Loch Ness).

They then transition again into a 21 mile off road cycle and a 13.5 mile road cycle through the Great Glen to Fort William, where the bike is replaced by running shoes and they take on a 14 mile trek / trail run to Loch Leven.

The adventure challenge finishes at The Isles of Glencoe Hotel in Lochaber with a one-mile flat water kayak.

The journey can be done in a oner or split into two with an overnight camp at Fort Augustus.

As in previous years, spectators and supporters are there to cheer on the participants throughout the journey, and all of those taking part are GPS tracked.