World-class adventure racing teams from both the UK and overseas are now preparing for the final countdown to The Wilderness ARC, the UK's toughest endurance race which will take place in and around Fort William and Lochaber from Monday 29 May until Saturday 3 June, 2006.

Up to 30 teams will battle it out, totally unsupported, over a rugged and hugely demanding 400 km (250 mile) course.  This will include 15,000 m of ascent in some of the most spectacular terrain in the Scottish Highlands.

This year the mixed-sex teams of four will include last year's  winners Team Aberdeen Asset Management, who are joined by Tom Gibbs and Helen Jackson, two of the UK's toughest endurance athletes.  The squad, which boasts a formidable international track record, will be aiming to defend its title in the face of powerful and fierce  competition from Team Total Adventure, Team The North Face, newcomers Team Superfeet and Sweden's awesome squad Team PS Communciation, led by Magnus Persson who completed a phenomenal, record-breaking manhaul on skis to the North Pole in 2000.

Other teams expected to present tough competition are Team Accelerate and, from Italy, the Bergamo Adventure Race Team.

David Williams, Chief Executive of EventScotland commented: 'EventScotland is delighted to be working in partnership with VisitScotland, the Highland Council, Highland 2007 and the Outdoor  Capital of the UK to ensure that the 2006 event is a perfect dress rehearsal for the AR World Championships in 2007.  It builds on the  massive success of the inaugural event in 2005 which attracted  competitors and spectators from all over the world, in addition to a  wealth of positive feedback.'

Eager speculation about the course continues, although it is a  closely guarded secret until the eve of the race.  However the  athletes will be guaranteed a mix of unique and uncompromising  challenges involving navigation, mountain biking, mountain running,  kayaking, abseiling, mountaineering river crossings and both gorge and open water swimming.  Dedicated team-work, meticulous planning  and cunning strategy, coupled with extreme physical and mental  stamina and the ability to overcome sleep depravation, will be key requirements for the competitors.

The world class athltetes may well have to tackle Ben Nevis, the UK's  highest mountain, the deep glens of Glen Coe, Nevis and Loch Ness, the wild Knoydart Peninsula, the Ardnamurchan Point – which is the  Westermost point of mainland Britain – and the dramatic mountains and  shore-lines of Loch Linnhe; all susceptible to sudden extremes of  weather and temperature change, coupled with the possibility of high winds, rain, mists, low cloud and even snow!

Course designer Gary Tompsett said: 'The challenge with course planning in Lochaber is deciding where not to go.  The choice is phenomenal!  I have to say that this year's course is better than last year's.  It doesn't go over any of the same ground as last year, and we'll still be venturing into remote and beautiful territory.'

Phil Humphreys, Race Director and Managing Director of ACE Races, added: 'I am really excited about this year's Wilderness ARC – just wishing  I was taking part myself. The course looks amazing and I've ordered  the sunshine this time.'

Jim Mee, Managing Director of Detail Events and co-creator of  Wilderness ARC said: 'We're staging the toughest race in Britain, but we thought we'd also put on some more approachable events to show  people a little about the spirit behind the sport.  'Raiders of the  Wilderness ARC' and a live music event will very much set the scene and provide a warm and inviting introduction on the preceding Saturday night to what is otherwise going to the toughest race of some of these athletes' lives.'