It is important to prepare both in terms of  having the right equipment and being physically fit enough for the race.  You may be taking part in a number of new activities and will therefore need a good all round level of fitness as well as the endurance to keep going for 2 days.  Below is a suggested kit list for each activity along with training advice:

Equipment List

 Personal kit for run/walk elements;

•              Running/walking footwear; Sturdy cross country shoes or lightweight walking boots for walk/run
•          Lightweight base and top layers; Dry flow and easily wicking tops
•          Light fleece top layer
•          Fleece hat or similar and gloves
•          Comfortable running/walking socks plus spare pair
•          Small day back pack
•          Water bottles/carries for at least 1.5lts; recommend camel back or similar
•          Shorts, leggings or lightweight trekking trousers
•          Waterproof jacket and trousers; Lightweight and good quality
•          Snacks and energy drinks
•          Spare dry top in back pack
•          Mobile phone fully charged
•          Event contact card provided on the event
•          Personal race number provided on the event
•          Head torch
•          Event handbook to be provided on the event

Items to be carried by at least oneteam member during run/walk elements;

•             Compass
•          Map provided on the event
•          First aid kit
•          Foil emergency blanket
•          Timing chip/key provided on the event
•          Insect repellent
•          Sun lotion and block; high factor
•        Loo roll and rubbish bag  

 Additional Personal kit for bike element;

•             Cycle footwear if you are using toe clips.The bikes have toe clips.
•          Cycle gloves
•          Cycle glasses
•          Cycle helmet provided on the event.

Additional Items to be carried by at least one team member for bike element;

•          Small bike repair kit for punctures and minor mechanical

 Personal kit for kayak;

•           Sandals or lightweight trainers; they will get wet
•       Cycle gloves

 Support Crew Kit; To be carried in the support vehicle

•              Snacks; a mixture of sweets, high carb bars, etc
•          Hot food; ensure plenty with lots of carbohydrates
•          Cooking stove
•          Plates, cups, cutlery etc
•          Cooking utensils
•          Good utility tool/knife
•          Hot drinks
•          Energy drinks
•          Mixed foods; such as fruit, biscuits, etc
•          Various drinks
•          Local maps; 1;50,000 and road map
•          Event handbook
•          Team contact details
•          Mobile phone and car charger
•          Tent (TBC)
•          Chairs
•          Blankets
•          Warm clothes
•          First aid kit
•          Foil blanket
•          Good torch and head torch with spare batteries
•          Insect repellent

 Personal camp kit; To be carried in the support vehicle

•                Sleeping bag; 3 season
•           Roll mat or camp bed
•           Towel
•           Set of warm dry clothes
•           Warm jacket
•           Head torch with spare batteries
•           Dry shoes
•           Insect repellent
•           First aid kit
•           Spare socks
•           Personal items
•           Ear plugs

 Personal firstaid kit:

•         Painkillers
•         Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory (not for asthmatics)
•         Imodium or Lomita for diarrhoea
•         Antihistamine tablets and cream
•         Antiseptic wipes
•         Plasters
•         Gauze pads
•         Crepe bandage
•         Zinc oxide tape (or Leucotape which is much better)
•         Moleskin and/or 'Compeed' for blister treatment
•         Dehydration mix such as Dioralyte
•         Small tub of Vaseline
•         Eyewash - roads can be dusty whilst cycling
•         Tweezers
•         Scissors
•         Safety pins 
•         Alcohol hand gel

 Training

The Highland Endurance Race is going to involve some significant physical challenge, so here are some notes to help you prepare.

Everyone will have a different level of fitness and experience and will meet different challenges during the event, but feeling healthy and prepared will mean you'll find the experience more enjoyable and rewarding.

What to expect

Here are some common things that crop up on most endurance races. Also consult the training section of the handbook for more specific advice and consider how prepared you think you are:

• The event can be very tiring. What with the long journey, the excitement, and the change of environment, people often find the first few hours challenging. Starting confident and rested will help you get over this initial hurdle.
• Extremes of temperature. Feeling used to physical exercise whilst hot or cold, and knowing how to manage your hydration, should be part of your training. 
• Long days. You are on the go for 12 hours, so knowing you can comfortably be out and about for that long, is important. Could you get up and do it again the next day?
• Varied terrain. Loose rocks, potholes, sand, wet ground and mud make things much harder. You'll need to train on all kinds of surfaces to be fully prepared for what lies ahead.
• Bursts of intense activity. Sometimes there will be steep and tough bits that really test you, so you need to be used to this, and knowing that if you just keep going that bit longer you will get a rest!
• At least a bit of pain. Be it blisters, sore muscles, sore joints etc, this is normal. If you have done some good training you will be familiar with this and it won't feel so bad if it happens during the race.
• Life in a tent. Enjoying living from a tent takes a certain frame of mind!  Why not get some practise with your sleeping bag and a tent?

Most of all, remember that you are going to do it!  Training before hand will greatly enhance your enjoyment of all the beautiful things you see, the people you meet, the wonderful experiences you have along the way, and your sense of achievement at the end.