John Laughlin

I come from a mountain biking background, having completed many Polarii and 24 hour races as every configuration from elite team to solo. Got into the adventure racing thing after Jon Brooke’s article on the Hebridean Challenge inspired me to enter a team in 2002. Rode Red Bull 24 hour MTB race solo as training, the youngest soloist to date, but it was nothing compared to some of the great races I’ve done since.

Now up to 4 Heb Challenges and three Wilderness ARCs with hopefully many more to come…would love to continue racing internationally and in 2007 have already raced in Poland and Denmark.

Really taken to fell running and competed at elite KIMM and LAMM, although it only seems like yesterday in 2002 when I ran for over two hours for the first time! Keen to attempt some more long distance runs after attempts at the Scottish 4000s (83 miles 17,000 foa with Gareth Craft), winter Ramsay Round (60 miles, 28,000 foa with Gary Tompsett) and winter Tranter’s Round (40 miles 20,600 foa with Paul Currant) all had to be aborted near completion due to dangerous weather conditions.

The Wilderness ARC was the big race of 2006 and a third place finish was a pleasing result. As training for the WARC I cycled all the 7 stanes mountain bike centres in one ride, a total of 262 miles in 32.75 hours, with Gary Tompsett, Paul Currant and John Houlihan. Possibly the biggest epic yet!

2008
5th Bergson Winter Challenge,
5th The Turas, 1st London Rat Race

2007
ARWC, 3rd Ed Rat Race
2nd Gael Force West

2006
1st pair Strathpuffer Winter 24hr MTB race
4th Man of Porage
3rd Wilderness ARC
2nd Bristol Rat Race

2005
Rat Race Edinburgh 1st
Rat Race Bristol 2nd
Heb Challenge 3rd
Winter ACE XXX 3rd
Man of Porage 6th

2004
Hebridean Challenge 3rd
also raced 2003, 2002 2004 SiTS 8th Male Pair