Ben Gallagher prepares to row and hike 115km in three days to break down barriers in rowing
From first light in the Highlands of Scotland to sunset in the valleys of Wales, Ben鈥檚 efforts will raise money for accessible rowing projects in the UK
On 22 – 24 September 2025, veteran, explorer and para rower Ben Gallagher, Ambassador for Love Rowing, will take on the extraordinary Big Row Hike Row Challenge: Rowing across some of the UK鈥檚 largest lakes and lochs and summiting nearby mountain peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales – all in just three days.
The Challenge
Monday 22 September. Total: 49.94km in Scotland.
- Row half of Loch Ness from Fort Augustus
- Hike Meall Fuar-mhonaidh (13.64km / 699m elevation)
- Complete the 36.3km row along the full length of Loch Ness
Tuesday 23 September. Total: 34.22km in England
- Row 18.08km on Lake Windermere
- Run through Ambleside
- Hike the Fairfield Horseshoe (16.14km / 873m elevation)
Wednesday 24 September. Total: 30.8km in Wales.
- Row 6km across Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake)
- Summit Aran Fawddwy (18.8km / 906m elevation)
- Row 6km back across Llyn Tegid before sunset
鈥淚鈥檓 super excited.鈥 Ben said on his upcoming challenge. 鈥淲atching people getting involved in fundraising for Love Rowing is brilliant – and I鈥檓 looking forward to the opportunity to test myself. It鈥檚 given me something to focus on throughout the summer.鈥
Ben鈥檚 training has been a mix of disciplines to prepare him for the challenge. 鈥淚 can row for pretty long periods of time – so although I鈥檝e been clocking up distance on the water, it鈥檚 actually the strength I鈥檝e been training in the gym to make sure聽 I’m strong enough to sustain the three days and the distance that I’m covering.鈥
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Ben has been incorporating trail running into his plan – and unsurprisingly for a World and British Indoor Rowing Champion, has been relying on the indoor rowing machine to get him fighting fit for the Big Row Hike Row.
鈥淵esterday I did a 14km trail run, followed by a 6km erg session. I鈥檝e been building on my training for the British Rowing Indoor Championships, strength and core. With trail running to build up some stamina and endurance.鈥
Ben is already on his training plan for BRIC, where last year he won both the PR3 Open 1 minute with 361m rowed, and the PR3 Open 2000m in a time of 6:33.8.
How will Ben be fuelling himself on the three day trip with very little sleep? 鈥淚鈥檓 going to have to be really strategic, because rowing the long distances makes the opportunity to eat quite slim. I鈥檒l be grazing on the water, but taking the hiking periods to get more food on board. I鈥檒l start recovery early as soon as the day鈥檚 challenge is over.
I know I鈥檒l be having a solid breakfast of porridge, fruit, nuts and seeds every day! And high protein foods where I can, with lots of carbs. Pasta, chicken, eggs, that kind of thing.鈥
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The challenge raises funds for Love Rowing, the charitable foundation of British Rowing, which is dedicated to making rowing more inclusive by delivering accessible rowing programmes for disabled people including supporting wounded, injured, and sick veterans. The charity also expands access to communities who face barriers to sport, such as young people from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds.
What鈥檚 next for Ben after the Big Row Hike Row and BRIC? 鈥淚鈥檓 planning on trialling for the GB Rowing Team Paralympic squad, hopefully working towards the next Paralympic Games in LA in 2028. Everything is stepping stones, and it鈥檚 all part of the journey.鈥
