Topless downhillers win 10 Under The Ben

Three downhill specialists from Fort William, Alistair MacLennan, Joe Barnes and Liam Moynihan, beat the cross country competition to win the men's trio category of the Benromach 10 Under The Ben endurance race this past Saturday in Scotland. The team completed 11 laps of the 10-mile course while riding topless, and they were rewarded with a dram of Benromach single malt whisky at the finish.

Now in its fifth year, the event was once more bathed in glorious sunshine as 482 of the record total of 947 endurance riders taking part gathered for the mass start ready to do battle with Forestry Commission Scotland's Leanachan Forest, the highland midge and the ongoing threat of heat exhaustion, all set against the stunning backdrop of Ben Nevis.

Michael Bossard, from Oban, proved tougher than any other man in the solo category completing the gruelling 10 mile course a total of 10 times in 10 hours 29 minutes. Helen Finlay was the top female solo competitor completing eight laps of the course in the 10-hour frame.

"We are delighted to have such a vast range of riders enjoying themselves on the course, making it a fantastic day out for everyone," said No Fuss Events' Frazer Coupland. "It was a superb weekend weather-wise, though I am telling everyone to brace themselves for rain in 2010 as our luck has to run out at some point."

10 Under the Ben was the first event of the Benromach Three Tens Series. The next round is the 10 at Kirroughtree on July 11 at Galloway Forest Park.