KIDS are being encouraged to get their hearts racing and take part in an outdoor sporting event which also raises cash for a worthy cause.

Organisers of the Highland Heartbeat Challenge, which takes place this September, say it's a great way for under 16s to up their fitness levels and it's an opportunity for parents to promote healthy living over the school holidays in preparation of the event.

The Heartbeat Challenge, this year supported by the Highland News Group, involves a 12-mile run or walk over hills, and a 10-mile return by bike in the Clava and Moy areas outside Inverness.

It is being held to raise money for cardiac care in the Highlands. In four years, the challenge has raised £55,000.

Kenny Riddle, one of the organisers of the event, said children aged 12 to 16 can take part, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

He said: "We really want to encourage youngsters to take part. There is not many individual sporting events in the Highlands which kids can enter, so this is a perfect opportunity. We really want to encourage a healthy lifestyle and a good way of living and building up to an event like this is a good way to get started."

Read on to find out what two under 16s - who have both successfully completed the challenge - say readers should expect and how to gear up for the event appropriately.

Lewis gears up for another thrilling ride

LEWIS MacFarlane (12) completed the Heartbeat Challenge along with his parents Mary and Iain MacFarlane for the first time in 2010.

He explained he was a big fan of sports and said he enjoys taking part in sporting challenges.

He said: "I like running and cycling and I am in the Inverness Harriers. I usually take part in the Inverness 5k running event. I just like sports in general really."

The 12-year-old who is in primary seven at Duncan Forbes Primary School in Culloden said he tried to run most of the first part of the Heartbeat Challenge which lasted for 12 miles.

He said: "There were definitely some tough parts. There was one particularly boggy part which was difficult, but I was determined to finish so I just tried to get through the difficult parts as best as I could."

And Lewis, who lives with his parents in Culloden, told the HNG that he enjoyed all of the challenge and he would definitely recommend others to do it.

He said: "I loved the feeling when I finished the challenge, I felt really proud and it was great raising money for a good cause too. I would definitely recommend other kids to do it."

The 12-year-old, who was 11 when he completed the challenge last year, would recommend some training before embarking on such a challenge.

He said: "I do think you have to be reasonably fit to do it, so anybody that's planning on taking part I would recommend to get out and about for a few weeks before. Get walking and maybe out on your bike."

'The event has a really good atmosphere'

ANDREW Gray (15) of Lochside, Culbokie has completed the challenge twice. He explained the two dimensions of the challenge really add to the overall event.

He said: "The 12-mile-run is tough and it's very hilly. I am a strong cyclist, so I made up quite a lot of time on the second half, but I'm not the strongest hill runner so it's certainly challenging. But I do run the whole way, and feel my legs burn!"

Andrew, who runs for Ross County Athletics and who cycles for Moray Firth Cycling Club, said he will be taking part this year too.

He said: "I really just enjoy challenging myself and the event itself has a really good atmosphere, especially at the changeover. The scouts last year had your bikes and clothes laid out for you, so it was great. And for those who were walking, there was soup and food and things laid out. It's a good event to be part of."

And Andrew said he would encourage anybody who fancies it just to give it a go.

He said: "For people doing it first time I would just encourage them to walk the event and just have a really great day out. Although there are some challenging hills, so I would advise people maybe to up their fitness over the summer holidays.

"The cycling is really good, the road is quiet and you don't need to be an experienced cyclist to do the route. And you can hold different events to help raise money too, like we did a car boot sale one year."