DonateThe ninth Lighthouse Run, a driving challenge from John O’Groats to Land’s End, took place over the weekend of 26th to 29th October, raising close to £5,000 for the Lighthouse Club Charity.
David Adams reports on this year’s fantastic driving adventure:
“The teams gathered on Friday at the Lovat Hotel, Perth, where the staff made us very welcome. The banter soon started between those who had entered before and the first-timers.
Saturday was a leisurely day spent travelling up to John O’Groats. This year, for the first time, snow covered the roads and mountains between Perth and Inverness. On the way, we made a stop at Golspie to have lunch with Bruce Field who joined the Lighthouse Club in 1964 and is the longest serving member in Scotland.
In the late afternoon, we arrived at the Sea View Hotel for registration, a quick run through of the rules and a reminder that this is not a race but a challenging fun event.
Sunday arrived with Andrew and his staff providing a hearty breakfast at 6am and we were ready to leave by 7am.
At the start, the route was given out. This took the teams, leaving at one-minute intervals, along the North coast through challenging terrain, with stunning scenery, to a checkpoint at Tarvie Snack Bar. When they made it to the checkpoint, they were given the next route which took them along Loch Ness, through Glasgow and onto the second checkpoint in Sanquhar.
This checkpoint was manned by Gerry and sponsored by HPC so many thanks to both. From here the route lead to an overnight stop at the Hydro Hotel in Bowness, arriving late in the evening to a hearty meal and a welcome bed.
On Monday, another breakfast at 6am for a 7am start. Again the day was split into three sections via two checkpoints. The first checkpoint was at Llanbadarn Fynydd Community Shop, where, as always, we received a very cheery welcome from Megan and her staff. Onwards, down the Wye Valley through Cheddar Gorge to Hatch Beauchamp village hall. This was our final checkpoint, enthusiastically manned by Maureen and sponsored by Taunton Lifting Services so many thanks to both of them. Finally, onto Land’s End. We arrived in the early evening to a spectacular finish line, created and manned by George, Jim and Jon, with Alan behind the camera. The digger arch was supplied by BPMS, thank you Claire.
The evening started with a meal and was followed by the prize giving. As well as completing the challenging drive, other tasks were introduced along the way with the results as follows:
Quiz; all 15 answers found on the route: SPARKEYS Alan & Matt
Selfie with a famous person or lookalike: COPS & ROBBERS Shaun & Rob
Nearest to the route mileage: CAT KINGS Kevin & Tom
Cup for best vehicle: POSH & BECKS Sean & Tanya
Tony Green Cup, for the true spirit of the event: MUD MONKEYS Steve & Mike
On Tuesday morning it was time for a photocall and fond farewells to friends old and new.
Finally, comments from the teams:
CAT KINGS
‘My 3rd time and still getting the same buzz I got the 1st time, can’t wait for the next one’.
LADY PENELOPE & PARKER
‘You need a map and someone who can read it’.
SPARKEYS
‘Loved the challenge, the scenery and seeing things I had not seen before’.
MUD MONKEYS
‘Getting lost and taking the wrong turn is part of it’.
COPS AND ROBBERS
‘No denying the drive is an ordeal, this has been one of the most thrilling and fulfilling challenges I have ever undertaken’.
POSH & BECKS
‘We also like to set our own challenges, this time eating in ‘Wetherspoons’ furthest North, Wick and South, Penzance’.
BIG PROBLEM
‘This is my 5th time and still saying, to experience this with friends, family, colleagues and other participants reminds me how precious the LIGHTHOUSE CLUB CHARITY is!!
WOODBUTCHER & LEAKY
‘Been involved in all 9 runs, still love it. Met some wonderful people over the years and looking forward to the next RUN’.
George, Alan, Nick and I are already planning the 10th Lighthouse Run. It takes place on Saturday 3rd October 2020. We hope to see you there.”
Big congratulations goes to all 16 entrants, in 8 vehicles, completing the ‘run’, making the event such fun and helping to raise much-needed funds for our construction workforce in need.