BIG-hearted fundraisers have stepped up funds for cardiac care after pedalling and hiking their way over Highland hills.
Seventy-five walkers, 42 runners and 12 youngsters aged between 12 and 16 took part in Saturday's Heartbeat Challenge, supported by the Highland News Group.
The annual family-friendly contest involved a 12-mile run or walk over hills, and a 10-mile return by bike in the Clava and Moy areas outside Inverness.
Committee member Kenny Riddell said the day went well, helping to raise vital funds for cardiac care in the Highlands.
He said: "It was a great day, the weather turned out good, and we had lots of positive feedback.
"There were a few new people doing the route. Some people found a bog at about the eight to nine mile point quite challenging. It toughened it up a bit."
The first male runner was Dave Cumming of Drakies, Inverness; second was Paul Miller of Inverness, and third was Dougie Macdonald of Boswell Road, Inverness.
The first female runner was Roma Davidson of Ashton Crescent, second was Sine Mackay, of Lochlann Road and third was Jodi Sharpe of Culduthel, all Inverness.
The first junior runner was Lewis Macfarlane of Culloden.
The first male walker was Patrick Gallacher of Sunnyside, near Culloden, the first female walker was Alison Boyd of Ardersier, and the first junior walker was Ruaridh Gray of Culbokie, Ross-shire.
In four years, the challenge has raised £55,000.
The Heartbeat Challenge is the only fundraiser for cardiac care in the Highlands.
Cash raised by previous challenges helped buy Raigmore Hospital an £8,500 transoesophageal echo (TOE) probe, which takes high quality ultrasound pictures of the heart.
Other equipment bought with donations included a mobile echo cardiac machine, which is transportable around wards.
Heartbeat Challenge organisers hope to raise £28,000 during the next two years to help purchase palpitation monitors for GP surgeries.
As funds are still being gathered following Saturday's event, the total amount has not yet been finalised.
More pictures in this week's Highland News, North Star and Lochaber News.
