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The high octane The Drambuie Pursuit
came to a climatic and successful end
last week (13-15 May 2011) with all nine
teams managing to complete the 24 hour
endurance race across the wild terrain
of the Scottish Highlands.
Dutch team Double W was first to cross
the finish line, with UK’s UltRAFast,
coming a very close second. The USA
team, led by celebrated and decorated
American football veteran, Jeremy
Shockey, also put up an impressive
fight, finishing in a respectable fourth
place.
Retracing the flight of Bonnie Prince
Charlie, for whom Drambuie was
originally created, the teams covered
over 100 miles, battling a high
adrenaline racecourse that included
rounds of archery, downhill mountain
biking, kayaking and white water
rafting.
Competing with three endurance race
enthusiasts from Texas, Carolina
Panther, Shockey had to use all of his
leadership skills and athletic prowess,
honed from years American football
field.
"This was one of the most challenging,
exciting and physically demanding
experiences of my entire life, and
coming from a professional football
player, that says a lot!" said Jeremy
Shockey of his experience during the
2011 Drambuie Pursuit. "I'm proud of the
way Team Shockey competed, and while it
would have been nice to come away with a
victory, I'm glad I was able to
participate in this historical
tradition. It was also a great way to
spend the off-season!"
Delighted to place second in the
competition overall, UltRAFast, made up
of four RAF servicemen, had qualified
for entry to the Drambuie Pursuit as the
top UK team, winning a £2,500 donation
to the RAF’s Benevolent Fund (RAFBF)
through online votes for their
application video.
UltRAFast member, RAF Benson’s Flight
Lieutenant Simon Ramsden said: "We have
all been on a high for days, it was
great fun and the event was really well
organised. It was surprising just how
hard it was – one of our team said it
was like getting hit by a train. We were
neck and neck with the Dutch team Double
W at the final run to the finish line.
We would love to have won, but the
£2,500 donation from Drambuie to the
RAFBF sweetened the blow."
Jonathan Brown, Brand Heritage Director
Drambuie said: "This was one of the most
closely fought competitions we have seen
at the Drambuie Pursuit. All of the
teams showed an incredible amount of
skill, determination and stamina. We
want to thank everyone who entered,
especially Jeremy for taking the time to
join us during his off-season and raise
the profile of Drambuie to a new
audience."
The Drambuie Pursuit is inspired by
events that took place more than 260
years ago. In 1746 after a failed
attempt to claim the British throne,
Bonnie Prince Charlie was pursued across
the Highlands by the Government forces
but escaped with the help of his loyal
clansmen. In gratitude for their help he
passed on the top secret recipe for his
personal elixir which became Drambuie.
The spirit of Drambuie lives on and over
the years this unique whisky liqueur has
been passed down through generations
carrying with it a sense of adventure,
culminating in this exciting event.
Today people around the world are
enjoying Drambuie served long with &
ginger beer; know as The Drambuie Ginger
Nail, a refreshing twist on the classic
Drambuie cocktail The Rusty Nail.
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