HYUNDAI MOTOR ATTEMPTS THE KONA 10 - A WORLD FIRST DRIVING CHALLENGE TAKING ON TEN VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES IN 72 HOURS

Hyundai, KONA10 Challenge, front view.

Sophie Radcliffe will take on routes, that are not usually accessible to the public, driving as far as possible to complete the challenge. When the car can go no further she will be on foot – running, walking, climbing or cycling to each location. The 72 hours will be non-stop, with Sophie sleeping on ferries and in the back of the car before she hits the next volcano on the KONA 10 route.

Sophie Radcliffe will drive and run the KONA10 Challenge

 Dr. Michael Scott selected the ten volcanic locations for The KONA 10 Challenge, delving into the history of human activity at each site. His research revealed how landscapes formations hundreds of millions of years ago, inspired the locations for incredible human achievements over thousands of years. 

“There is the most incredible yet surprising volcanic history in the UK. The KONA 10 is going to shine a light on our volcanic heritage – from Snowdon to the Isle of Skye. This never before attempted route across the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland will take people on a journey through a rich and incredible tapestry of human history and achievement - from the ancient past, to the modern day.”

Starting at Mount Snowdon in Wales, prior to heading to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, via Croghan Hill, labelled ‘the Navel of Ireland’. Crossing then to Scafell Pike, England’s highest elevation, and then further on to Scotland to take in the surroundings of North Berwick Law in East Lothian. From there it’s to Edinburgh - both Castle Rock and Arthur’s Seat. Then onwards to Glen Coe before reaching the impressive Ben Nevis, confirmed as the highest mountain in Britain and Ireland by Ordnance Survey. The route heads further still to Ardnamurchan and finally, the wilds of Skye and the inaccessible Cuillin Ridge, the site of the last clan battle in the Isle of Skye, signal the end.

Sophie Radcliffe is not a professional athlete, deciding four years ago to leave her job in the city and try something new. Today she pushes the boundaries as she regularly under-takes on challenges to run, climb, swim and cycle, all over the world. She is the only person in history to have climbed the highest mountains in the eight Alpine countries and cycle between them in just 32 days.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be the first person ever to attempt the KONA 10."To make it up 10 iconic volcanic passes in 72 hours will be a real challenge, but I love pushing myself physically and mentally, - so for me it’s all part of the adventure. Although I've completed extreme challenges all over the world, this is my first involving a car and volcanoes!”

Sophie will be raising money for Stand Up To Cancer.

Click here to donate

Sophie will run to the un-drivable peaks on the KONA10 Challenge

The all-new KONA is a compact SUV with a strong, cutting edge design with full-LED twin headlamps, two-tone roof and a selection of ten unique exterior colours. A true SUV with four-wheel drive the KONA also has head-up display, a high-end sound system by Krell and complete connectivity allowing passengers to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the seven-inch screen.

Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK’s President and CEO comments: “This world first challenge is a perfect example of Hyundai’s ethos and the way we constantly look to push boundaries. It’s going to be a tough journey but the team is well prepared and confident they can conquer it in the time set."

Hyundai has captured the KONA 10 route for consumers using public roads and it can be found at Click Here from 27th November 2017.

Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai Motor UK’s President and CEO