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From First Light to Sunset: Veteran and Para Rower Ben Gallagher Takes on The Big Row Hike Row to Break Records and Barriers in Rowing

Posted: 16 Sept 2025Picture1

On 22–24 September 2025, veteran, explorer and para rower Ben Gallagher, Ambassador for Love Rowing, will take on the extraordinary Big Row Hike Row Challenge: Rowing across some of the UK’s largest lakes and lochs and summiting nearby mountain peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales - all in just three days.

From first light in the Highlands of Scotland to sunset in the valleys of Wales, Ben will cover approximately 115km of rowing and hiking, climbing more than 2,400m in elevation and pushing through three nations in a continuous endurance effort.

Think Beach Sprint Rowing meets Mountain Marathon. Or a triathlon with a twist of water and altitude.

The Challenge: Three Nations, Three Days

Monday 22 September. Total: 49.94km in Scotland.

● Row half of Loch Ness from Fort Augustus

● Hike Meall Fuar-mhonaidh (13.64km / 699m elevation)

● Complete the 36.3km row along the full length of Loch Ness

Tuesday 23 September. Total: 34.22km in England

● Row 18.08km on Lake Windermere

● Run through Ambleside

● Hike the Fairfield Horseshoe (16.14km / 873m elevation)

● Finish the day in Rydal

Wednesday 24 September. Total: 30.8km in Wales.

● Row 6km across Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake)

● Summit Aran Fawddwy (18.8km / 906m elevation)

● Row 6km back across Llyn Tegid before sunset

 

Rowing for Inclusion and Impact

The challenge raises funds for Love Rowing, the charitable foundation of British Rowing, which is dedicated to making rowing more inclusive by:

● Delivering accessible rowing programmes for disabled people including supporting wounded, injured, and sick veterans

● Expanding access to communities who face barriers to sport such as young people from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds.

“This challenge is about testing my own limits, but more importantly it’s about opening doors for others,” said Ben Gallagher. “Rowing has shaped my life, given me purpose and community, and I want more people — especially those who may feel sport is not for them — to have that opportunity.”

 

Ben Gallagher’s Story

A veteran and former Special Forces soldier, Ben Gallagher served over 16 years in the British Army before sustaining life-changing injuries and complex trauma on active duty. His recovery journey has been one of resilience, courage and reinvention. Today, Ben is an explorer, para rower, athlete, and ambassador,

competing in endurance challenges and advocating for greater inclusion in sport. Ben is currently a World and National Champion on the indoor rowing machine.

More about Ben: bengallaghergbr.weebly.com

 

A National Movement of Support

Rowing clubs, organisations and individuals across the UK will be joining in virtually, matching Ben’s miles on rowing machines, the water, and hikes of their own. Rowing clubs like St Paul’s School Boat Club, City of Cambridge Rowing Club, Queen’s Park Chester Rowing Club and Inverness Rowing Club are joining in! Dryrobe® and Irwin Mitchell are taking this on as a corporate social responsibility and employee wellbeing opportunity.

The Big Row Hike Row challenge is supported by British Rowing, Welsh Rowing, Scottish Rowing, Crew Room, Dryrobe®, Swift RacingUK, Kia and the Accessible Vehicle Club.

“This is about more than one man’s journey,” said Nick Steel, Co-chair of Love Rowing. “It’s about a movement to make rowing truly for everyone - and Ben’s courage and determination is helping us build that momentum.”

 

How to Get Involved

 

Media Enquiries

Rebecca Gibson, Love Rowing Foundation Director,

Mobile: 07875460894

Email: rebecca.gibson@loverowing.org

 

What is The Big Row?

The Big Row is Love Rowing’s annual fundraiser. Previous events have included virtual rows with hundreds of people contributing the distance around the circumference of the World, London to Tokyo and back, and from Paris to LA. This year The Big Row series takes on a new format with an individual (Ben) completing the challenge on location and inviting others to match the challenge virtually.

 

About Love Rowing

Love Rowing (Love Rowing is the trading name of the British Rowing’s Charitable Foundation) was formed in 2018 to tackle underrepresentation in rowing and to ensure that everyone can access the sport.

Love Rowing raises money to support clubs, state schools and community organisations, allowing them to open their doors disabled people, young people who face significant financial disadvantage and ethnically diverse communities.

Despite launching just ahead of the 2020 pandemic, Love Rowing has already provided support to 80 projects supporting over 12,000 beneficiaries. But it's not a numbers game, it's about positively impacting lives. Love Rowing’s latest impact report can be found here.

 

Examples of the projects that Love Rowing supports:

Adaptive rowing at Guildford Rowing Club ensures everyone has access to the water and truly belongs in the sport.

The River Ayr project provides choice, opportunity and freedom for young people in the care system.

Row the Rhythm provides life changing freedom and independence for people with a visual impairment and sight loss. Find out more about Mary’s story here.

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