Once the UK's most popular endurance event raising £13m for charities

Foundation Scotland has ditched the Caledonian Challenge, despite the hugely popular event raising over £13m for charities in the past 21 years.

The charity said declining numbers of participants combined with a saturated market for endurance events led to it making the tough decision.

Participants hiked part of the West Highland Way in the grueling challenge, making it the country’s longest running endurance event.

A statement from organisers said: “Thank you for supporting the Caledonian Challenge, making it one of the most successful outdoor endurance events in Scotland.

“In recent years we have seen a marked decline in participants with decreasing fundraising income.

“Subsequently, we have taken the difficult decision to close the event.”

Businessmen Angus MacDonald and Alex Blyth launched the challenge in 1996 setting a target to complete 30 munros in four days.

It then became what it is today: a 24-hour, 54 mile hike from Fort William to Loch Lomond, with only brief rest and refuelling stops.

A spokeswoman for Foundation Scotland said: “The market became competitive and as much as we had a loyal group of walkers, many of whom came back year after year, it was becoming quite cost prohibitive to continue with the challenge.

“It was a sad decision that we had to make, but we just felt we wouldn’t be able to benefit all the charities.”