ITERA 2025: A Calm Before the Storm in the Cairngorms

The scene at Badaguish Outdoor Centre today was one of relaxed anticipation as teams from across the UK – and around the world – arrived for day one of ITERA 2025 registration. Nestled in pine forest on the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains, Badaguish is the perfect staging ground for an expedition race.

Many teams are staying in on-site lodges, with plenty of space to unpack, spread out, and organise the mountain of kit that an adventure like this demands. Inside, the atmosphere is already buzzing – bike boxes stacked in corners, maps laid out on tables, and every available surface covered in clothing, food, and gear.

In Lodge 7 alone, there’s a true international mix: UK-based Team Nav4 Thrash Pigs with Israeli racer Carin Goldblatt, US squad Rib Mountain Racing, and Polish team On-Sight Navigatoria, who have travelled with Indian racer Lipi Kalita.

For Kalita, this will be her first expedition-length race, after meeting On-Sight captain Rafel Adametz at a three-day race in the Philippines in 2022. She admits the mid-summer chill in the Cairngorms came as a bit of a shock – the terrain and weather here will be unlike anything she’s raced before.

It’s a similar story for Rib Mountain Racing, making their first foray into Scotland. “The race has been on our bucket list for a long time,” said Tim Buchholz. “As soon as it returned here, we entered. We can’t wait to explore the mountains, lochs and castles!” He’s been impressed – and slightly overwhelmed – by the detail on UK maps and the sheer number of symbols to learn.

Half his team, Kevin Leedham and JJ Jehangir, are also first-time expedition racers. They’ve pinned a projected schedule to the wall, but know the reality of cut-offs may force tough decisions on the fly. As Buchholz put it: “We might have to make hard choices.” Dot-watchers should be ready for some creative route variations from day one.

Afternoon registrations included thorough safety checks, with climbing kit closely inspected for wear and age. Some teams discovered their harnesses, slings or helmets were beyond manufacturer life limits – sending them into Aviemore for last-minute replacements.

This race also has a distinctive bib system: three light blue bibs per team, one white for the captain, and a black “short course” bib. If a team moves to the short course, the captain swaps white for black, making it instantly clear to race officials.

Today’s sign-ins stayed steady until a late flurry, but with half the teams still to register tomorrow morning, we’re expecting a busy couple of hours. After that comes the race briefing – and the long-awaited unveiling of the 2025 course.

For now, the calm holds. Tomorrow, the real adventure begins.

Article adapted and courtesy of Rob Howard, Sleepmonsters.