Former Special Forces soldier Ben Gallagher to row and hike over 100km in 72 hours for Love Rowing
This incredible feat is this year’s The Big Row Challenge – The Big Row Hike Row. Find out how you can match Ben’s effort to raise money for inclusive rowing projects
Invictus Games athlete and coach, para rower, and proud Ambassador for Love Rowing Ben Gallagher is taking on the ultimate test of endurance, resilience, and determination to raise funds for the charity, Love Rowing – and he is inviting everyone to be part of it!
Starting on 22 September. From first light in the Highlands of Scotland to sunset in the valleys of Wales, Ben will row the three largest lakes/lochs and hike the nearest tallest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales – all in just 3 days. Think Beach Sprints meets Mountain Marathon … or a triathlon with a twist of water and altitude.
The Challenge
Scotland – Monday 22 September – Total Distance 49.94kms
Row half of Loch Ness from Fort Augustus
Hike Meall Fuar-mhonaidh (13.64km hike / elevation 699m)
Complete the 36.3km row along the full length of Loch Ness
England – Tuesday 23 September – Total Distance 34.22kms聽
Row 18.08km on Lake Windermere
Run through Ambleside
Hike the Fairfield Horseshoe (16.14km hike / elevation 873m)
Finish the day in Rydal
Wales – Wednesday 24 September – Total Distance 30.8kms
Row 6km across Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake)
Summit Aran Fawddwy (18.8km hike / elevation 906m)
Final the 6km row back across Llyn Tegid before sunset
Be part of it and match the challenge – individually or with your club!
Want to row, hike, and climb alongside Ben (virtually and in your own way)? You can between 22 September and 5 October!
You can, individually or as a group:
- Match聽1 or聽all 3聽of Ben鈥檚 legs
- Choose indoor rowing, water-based rowing, hiking, walking, running – or combine them!
Clubs affiliated with聽British Rowing,聽Scottish Rowing, or聽Welsh Rowing聽can apply for up to聽50% of funds raised聽to support their own inclusive rowing projects.
What is The Big Row?
The Big Row is Love Rowing鈥檚 annual fundraiser. Previous events have included virtual rows with hundreds of people contributing the distance around the circumference of the World, London to Tokyo and back, and from Paris to LA. This year The Big Row series takes on a new format with an individual completing the challenge on location and inviting others to match the challenge virtually.
The Big Row Hike Row is supported by British Rowing, Scottish Rowing and Welsh Rowing.
About Love Rowing
Love Rowing (Love Rowing is the trading name of the British Rowing鈥檚 Charitable Foundation) was formed in 2018 to tackle underrepresentation in rowing and to ensure that everyone can access the sport.
Love Rowing raises money to support clubs, state schools and community organisations, allowing them to open their doors disabled people, young people who face significant financial disadvantage and ethnically diverse communities.
Despite launching just ahead of the 2020 pandemic, Love Rowing has already provided support to 78 projects supporting over 12,000 beneficiaries. But it’s not a numbers game, it’s about positively impacting lives.
