Latest news with #EtapeCaledonia
The Courier
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
GALLERY: Highlights from Etape Caledonia 2025 in Highland Perthshire
Cancer Research UK's Etape Caledonia returned to the scenic village of Pitlochry on Sunday, bringing thousands of cyclists to the heart of the Scottish Highlands for the UK's original closed-roads sport. With just 5,000 places available each year, Etape Caledonia remains one of the most sought-after cycling sportives in the UK. Riders tackled a range of demanding climbs, including the tough ascent out of Blair Atholl and the iconic gradient at Grandtully. The traffic-free cycling route allowed participants to focus on their performance while enjoying panoramic views of the Highland landscape. Olympic Gold medallist Hailey Duff MBE officially started the event at 6.30am, leading the pack out of Pitlochry. She crossed the finish line as the first female rider, clocking in at 2h 30m 54s, beating her personal goal of 3h 30m. Alanna Cameron, a dentist from Inverness, set a new course record for the 40-mile route, finishing in just 2h 19m 16s and shaving 5 seconds off the previous record held by Louisa Brown. Organised by Motiv Sports UK and supported by headline charity Cancer Research UK, the event drew cyclists of all backgrounds to Pitlochry for a weekend of challenge, camaraderie, and charity fundraising, against a breathtaking Highland backdrop.
STV News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
5,000 cyclists take part in Highland event for Cancer Research
Thousands of cyclists from across the UK pedalled across the Highlands to raise money for Cancer Research. On Sunday, around 5,000 cyclists took part in Cancer Research UK's Etape Caledonia feat, which started in Pitlochry. The event branched off into 40, 55, and 85-mile routes, meaning riders of varying degrees of experience could take part. PA Media Gold medal holder and Olympian Hailey Duff MBE (front centre) skipped to the start line of Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia to lead the pack of around 5,000 cyclists (Alan Richardson/PA) Organised by Motiv Sports UK, the fundraiser attracted cyclists from all backgrounds and the closed-road event meant participants could cycle without fear of traffic or disruption. Each route offered views of the Highlands' lochs, forests and hilly backdrop. Gold medal Olympian Hailey Duff MBE officially started the event at 6.30am, leading the throng of cyclists off on the course. She powered over the finish line as the first female just two hours, 30 minutes and 54 seconds later, smashing her target time of 3.5 hours. Dentist Alanna Cameron from Inverness took the top time, setting a new course record for the 40-mile route of two hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds, knocking a slim five seconds off the previous record set by Louisa Brown. Female riders led the pack this year on performance with a second impressive course record set for the 55-mile route by Sharon McNicol from Troon who came in at three hours, one minute and five seconds on the 55-mile route, smashing almost 26 minutes off the previous route record held by Kate Woodward. Among the standout participants was Nathan Grove, a Scottish RAF engineer and bowel cancer survivor, riding the 55-mile route to raise awareness and money for Cancer Research UK and finishing in three hours, 47 minutes and 24 seconds. Originally from Tain in the Scottish Highlands and now living in Letham, Angus, he has raised nearly £13,000 for the charity across several endurance events. Event director Jo Dytch, who has been involved with the event since its launch in 2007, said: 'Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia is more than a cycling event, it's a celebration of strength, solidarity and community. Stories like Nathan's remind us why this event matters. 'Taking part in a sportive of this scale, in stunning surroundings and peaceful closed roads is a tremendous experience, and all the more meaningful if cyclists have been riding to raise money to help transform lives through funding cancer research. 'Thank you to the community of Highland Perthshire who came out in their droves to support the cyclists and offer a warm Scottish welcome. 'Congratulations to everyone who took part today. We're already looking forward to our landmark 20th edition in 2026!' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Thousands of cyclists take part in Highlands event for charity
On Sunday, around 5000 cyclists took part in Cancer Research UK's Etape Caledonia feat, which started in Pitlochry. The event branched off into 40, 55, and 85-mile routes, meaning riders of varying degrees of experience could take part. (Image: PA) Organised by Motiv Sports UK, the fundraiser attracted cyclists from all backgrounds and the closed-road event meant participants could cycle without fear of traffic or disruption. Each route offered views of the Highlands' lochs, forests and hilly backdrop. READ MORE: Activists surround police van as man 'detained' at pro-Palestine protest Gold medal Olympian Hailey Duff MBE (below) officially started the event at 6.30am, leading the throng of cyclists off on the course. (Image: PA) She powered over the finish line as the first female just two hours, 30 minutes and 54 seconds later, smashing her target time of 3.5 hours. Dentist Alanna Cameron (below) from Inverness took the top time, setting a new course record for the 40-mile route of two hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds, knocking a slim five seconds off the previous record set by Louisa Brown. (Image: PA) Female riders led the pack this year on performance with a second impressive course record set for the 55-mile route by Sharon McNicol from Troon who came in at three hours, one minute and five seconds on the 55-mile route, smashing almost 26 minutes off the previous route record held by Kate Woodward. Among the standout participants was Nathan Grove, a Scottish RAF engineer and bowel cancer survivor, riding the 55-mile route to raise awareness and money for Cancer Research UK and finishing in three hours, 47 minutes and 24 seconds. READ MORE: Pope Leo calls for Gaza ceasefire in first Sunday blessing Originally from Tain in the Scottish Highlands and now living in Letham, Angus, he has raised nearly £13,000 for the charity across several endurance events. Nathan Grove (Image: PA) Event director Jo Dytch, who has been involved with the event since its launch in 2007, said: 'Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia is more than a cycling event, it's a celebration of strength, solidarity and community. Stories like Nathan's remind us why this event matters. 'Taking part in a sportive of this scale, in stunning surroundings and peaceful closed roads is a tremendous experience, and all the more meaningful if cyclists have been riding to raise money to help transform lives through funding cancer research. 'Thank you to the community of Highland Perthshire who came out in their droves to support the cyclists and offer a warm Scottish welcome. 'Congratulations to everyone who took part today. We're already looking forward to our landmark 20th edition in 2026!'
The Courier
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Angus cancer survivor to cycle Etape in tribute to late father
An Angus man's personal battle with cancer – and the heavy toll of the disease on his family – will power him over the roads of Highland Perthshire this month. RAF engineer Nathan Grove, from Letham, is among the field set to tackle Etape Caledonia 2025. Around 5,000 cyclists will converge on Pitlochry for the latest edition of the popular closed-road sportive on May 11. Nathan is championing bowel cancer awareness after being diagnosed with the disease in 2020 at the age of just 41. Originally from Tain in the Scottish Highlands, he has served with the RAF, both in the UK and abroad, for 26 years. Since his diagnosis, Nathan has had radiotherapy, two rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries to treat the cancer. Even before his diagnosis, Nathan was an endurance event enthusiast. Over the years he has raised nearly £13,000 for Cancer Research UK, cycling hundreds of miles before and after treatment. And next weekend he will tackle the 55-mile route on the Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia to raise further funds in memory of his late father. He survived prostate cancer, but subsequently died from a brain tumour and lung cancer. Nathan said: 'I wouldn't let cancer stop me from living my life to the fullest. 'Cycling has helped me regain my strength, gave me focus during my recovery and reminded me that every challenge can be overcome. 'By taking part in the Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia, I want to raise money to support the invaluable research that goes on in the background to try and come up with novel techniques to treat this disease and, hopefully one day, beat it. 'It's got to be the way ahead. 'We can't just keep letting cancer win. 'My dad had prostate cancer in the late 2000s and I lost him last year through a brain tumour and lung cancer, so the charity's very close to our heart. 'I don't have the same physical stamina I once did, but I'm still too stubborn to sit idle and I love a challenge,' Nathan said. Bowel cancer awareness month each April aims to spotlight the fourth most common cancer in the UK. Nathan also emphasises how important its early detection can be towards successful treatment. After experiencing his own diagnosis and getting through the physical and emotional toll of treatment, Nathan says he will do all he can to get that message across. Nathan's fundraising page can be found at Nathan's CRUK fundraiser Event director Jo Dytch said: 'Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia is more than just a cycling event. It's about personal triumphs, overcoming challenges and coming together as a community. 'Nathan's story embodies everything this event stands for, and we hope it inspires more people to sign up and be part of something truly special.'
