Im thinking of doing the WHW race (95m) in June.... has anyone got any pearls of wisdom...?!
Whats essential? What can you do without? Should I do it?!?!
Would anyone be interested in helping/crewing/running?
H
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Im thinking of doing the WHW race (95m) in June.... has anyone got any pearls of wisdom...?!
Whats essential? What can you do without? Should I do it?!?!
Would anyone be interested in helping/crewing/running?
H
If you're just thinking about it, I'm afraid you're far too late because entries closed months ago. So maybe time to start thinking about next year (see race site at http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/ for pre-requirements, other info and helpful forum)?
There's a few folk I follow on Twitter that've done it if you're on there?Quote:
Originally Posted by Helen0779
There are folk on here who've done it (more than once) and are doing it again. But that's still no help if the OP's talking about this June!Quote:
Originally Posted by southernsoftie
Missed that.:o Yup, rather think she'll be hard pushed for that! :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by petestack
:o I have entered.... I am on the list to start.
Perhaps a better way of saying it would have been I am wondering whether its a good idea(!) Any hints tips advice essentials etc etc
Of course it's a good idea! ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Helen0779
If you're not following the WHW race forum already that should be your first port of call for advice and tips. Also well worth looking at the various WHW runners' blogs.
http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/forum/
http://whwblogs.blogspot.com/
As to more specific advice, well that would depend on your experience and what in particular you want to know. Given that you've got a place that would suggest some reasonable ultra experience already.
Anybody know when the entries open for this race?
I think i might try it next year.
The problem with this race is the support that is required. Someone has to give up a weekend just for you.
Dave.
I've looked at this one too , but as mentioned the support is abit of an ask, I think it said one driver and another person capable of running the last sections with you. Its a long weekend for a support crew. If u could get the support it does look a good event though
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom R
Entries open 1st of November http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/
I have done the West Highland Way race and TBH the whole support thing is a pain, particularly in view of the fact that the West Highland Way is a well used, well Documented and largely Way-marked route ok there can be long distances between CP but given the number of competitors and other folk on the WHW and with good sweepers in place then if there is somebody was in trouble then it is no more likely that there should be a real crisis, than on any other Long distance event.
In Fact as good as my support team were they really had the Sh**ty end of the stick with hours of waiting around with midges all to keen to feed, for me to arrive and maybe stay around for 5 mins max.
From my point of view I spent more time worrying about my support team and there welfare (awake for 2 nights and driving is an accident waiting to happen) another thing is that the need for a support team and the increase in numbers that brings (2 to each competitor) onto the WHW route and approaches to various vantage points along the route is just adding more pressure to an enviromentally fragile area, and the disruption to some locals through out the night is not doing much for the race either ,
I have to say though that the WHW race is a good event but it could be made a lot better by ditching the need for a support crew particularly for experienced Ultra Runners.
IMO a much finer event:-
http://www.highlandflingrace.org/
No support required and a superb laid back event with a finish close To the Real Food Cafe for that all important post race Carbo hit, prior to the evening Ceilidh which is just the icing on the cake.
Totally agree, I'd rather pay £150 rather than £90 or whatever it is and have 6 fully stocked aid stations every 15 miles or so. For a start it stops all this pickyness over food. In the UTMB you just cope, you have too. If not you pay fuel, accomodation, for non central belters its a huge expense. For me its £120 in fuel getting there. A good £40 in fuel driving for everyone supporting, then accom for them all, then my food. The bill can easily top £500 for a race. Not that disimilar to doing the UTMB...Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
Actually i have given this some thought and decided not to enter for the reasons given above. It does seem a bit ott.
The West Highland Way is always there.
You can do it any time you like.
To be honest for how many people is it actually a race ?
Its a challenge to be completed and you could run it as you please
sole
with friends
self supported
with supoport organised
as you please.
A mate did it a few weeks ago over a weekend 25 miles Friday night - 35 Saturday, 35 Sunday.
or do it as a one-er
You are right Andy, but it is fun to take part in events / races.
Why not try getting a group of runners together by suggesting a Date say a weekend around the longest day, 2012 and starting at Midnight in Milngavie for a totally unsupported run along the WHW route to FORT BILL, see who turns up and you either end up running solo or maybe in group, but you may depend that if a few turned up there could well be a competitive element somewhere along the way, could be fun, interesting and delightfully simple.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom R
Think i might try the highland fling instead.
Agree with IainR. 1 week in Chamonix including flights cost the same as 2 nights on the WHW for me and my two support crews (as was required)Quote:
Originally Posted by IainR
Anyone know when Fling entries open? Thinking of this next year & maybe Lakes50Jason
Should be fairly soon. We're just looking in to changing over to on-line entry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trossachs?
Regarding WHW support issues, although the Fling works well without crews I'm now of the opinion that because of it's extra distance, runner's do benefit from having support, at least from Tyndrum onwards.
There has been a rule change this year (after a bit of lobbying from myself) which has removed the requirement for a full support crew (driver & runner) for the whole distance. Now, you only need a support runner from Auchtertyre (near Tyndrum) onwards. You do still need a support driver up until then though.
In practice, this makes things a lot easier and I plan to have a fresh driver (and my support runner) join me there which means that my wife doesn't have to drive when she's really tired and my support runner will be much fresher. Last year I supported (as a runner) another runner right from the start (as per the rules then) and I felt that my usefulness as a support runner was compromised by my lack of sleep.
For many runners, completing the race with family, friends, clubmates etc. around enhances the appeal of the race and I think that support crews are pretty integral to this particular race. Not saying it couldn't be done UTMB style but removing crews would actually remove the appeal of the race for many runners and completely change the character of the race.
I wonder how many runners would prefer to do it without the need for support crews? The WHW is for the most part on well used footpaths so i wondered why a support crew was deemed necessary? Also there must be quite a convoy of cars with rather tired drivers tootling up and down the roads which follow the route?
I would really like to run the WHW race but can't due to the requirements of a crew. Oh well.
Quite a few I dare say but I also know that for many, having a crew is one of the attractions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom R
Historically, I think the requirement for support crews was imposed by Scottish Athletics when the first "official" WHW race was organised back in 1990. Up until then it had been a casually organised affair with no race licence. I'm not sure whether SA still insist on it but as I said before, it's become such and integral feature of the race, removing it would spoil the event for many runners. There's a great camaraderie between all the support crews and many crews come back year after year to be involved with the raceQuote:
The WHW is for the most part on well used footpaths so i wondered why a support crew was deemed necessary?
Yep, the convoy can become a problem and it does limit the size of the field entering the race.Quote:
Also there must be quite a convoy of cars with rather tired drivers tootling up and down the roads which follow the route?
Can't or won't? The WHW gets entrants from around the world and they manage to organise crews. I think if you wanted to do it badly enough you could.Quote:
I would really like to run the WHW race but can't due to the requirements of a crew. Oh well.
Just in case anyone hasn't twigged, entry for both the West Highland Way race and the Highland Fling race has opened.
You have until the end of November to enter the WHW race (on line) at which point entry closes and places are awarded. See here for the allocation system. http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/entry.htm
The Fling now has on-line entry via Entry Central http://www.entrycentral.com/?raceID=101287
Anyone off here doing this!? I'm going up to support a mate, and possibly 'running' final 2 or 3 sections! Might be interesting in this weather!! :thumbup:
I am and it was. ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
A slow time for me (25:55) but happy to have finished at all in those conditions. Had a dreadful time early on but then had a magical finish.
'Ow do Runningfool!! I was supporting my mate, who finished in 33.45 or something...second last. It was a great w/e. I've never done that kind of support, I really enjoyed it. I 'ran' with him from Bridge of Orchy, just as the weather got nicer :) It really is a nice event. Although I find the rules re: kit a bit odd coming from fell running background. Odd to be told the only compulsory kit is a 'space blanket', and to see people with t-shirts and shorts and minimal bum bags i.e water bottle and a pocket big enough to carry said space blanket, stood on the start line with a weather forecast of torrential rain!!! Oh! and said rain having started!! I actually checked with the R.O. as my mate was carrying minimal kit and I thought he'd got it wrong!
It might seem a bit odd but you have to remember that unlike a fell race, a runner on the WHW can whistle up his support crew and a lot of the route is fairly accessible from nearby roads. The organisers are more concerned after Bridge of Orchy where you are more isolated (and tired). Up till then, it's kinda assumed that you're adult enough to look after yourself.Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
The important thing is that the extra kit, should you need it, isn't too far away. When it is far away, then you ought to carry it. A space blanket is something that you can't really predict needing if you come across an injured runner who may have to wait a very long time for an ambulance (as happened in this year's Fling race), consequently, given the low weight, it's not much of an imposition to ask runners to carry one.
I can see what you mean 'Runningfool' but you're on your own from Rowandrennan for some time, until at least just passed Crainlarich, as well, and even if your on the tracks, able to call support, you could still be an hour or so from getting assistance. It wasn't really a criticism, just an observation of the difference. Though as I pointed out, I did actually feel one or two were 'foolhardy' as the weather forecast was horrendous! I wonder a little if one or two coming from a more trail/road race background don't fully realise the terrain etc that they're entering into. At the end of the day, as you say, its up to the competitors to work it out for themselves!!
I suspect that the ones who appeared "foolhardy" were very probably the most experienced runners. There's no doubt that fitness can fight off a lot of weather.Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
Fitness and experience doesnt account for potential trips, falls or injuries when out in torrential rain for several hours or more. Like I have said. I'm not criticising the event, certainly not the R.O. Like you say, its the nature of the event and everyone's an adult and therefore responsible for thier own actions.
Course record smashed today by Paul Giblin in 15:07:29 - 32 minutes faster than Terry Conway's time of last year, which itself was a new record Amazing effort !!
I wanted to do it but could not get the 2 man support crew- could get one which I felt was adequate but never mind- their race, their rules I guess.
I did the race a few years ago with a crew and TBH the logistics, and the thought of having a sleep deprived crew driving / hanging around waiting for me to show up, wondering what to do should I get ahead or behind schedule and maybe the crew did not show, all in all the whole crew scenario screwed the event up for me and I vowed never to do another event where a support crew is a stipulation and nor have I.
That said my crew on the WHW race were brilliant and it was a delight to meet up with them even if it did mean i spent longer than I would normally spend at a CP.
Well done to all on the race, not surprised by the new record given the `so called` Conic hill path improvements.
`
In a nutshell each to there own.
Yep, great run... as was Marco Consani's 16:03:48 to record the fourth fastest ever and fastest that's never been a record! (Note also the unprecedented five runners sub-17.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Yaks
One's just not enough and, after taking two for my first race, we've taken three (which I'd recommend) for the others.Quote:
Originally Posted by karen nash
It's asking a lot of a single driver whether or not you need your support runner (who can't drive simultaneously!) out on the course.
I see what you mean Pete. I think I am just used to being that bit more independent. Husband sometimes supports as in will meet me at a few random places and come and collect if needed, other than that I carry what I need.Would be good if they did it like that but with 3 drop bags like the Hardmoors110
Think that's fair enough, and can assure you I'm quite used to being 'independent' in much wilder, remoter contexts, but...Quote:
Originally Posted by karen nash
I personally hate drop bag systems and (along with many others) love meeting my crew in the WHW Race. It's part of what makes this race what it is, and changing to a different system (while doubtless a legitimate wish for some) would be the end of the race that so many of us know and love!Quote:
Would be good if they did it like that but with 3 drop bags like the Hardmoors110
I did support a mate around this last year and that in itself was a great experience. Going over Devils Staircase to Kinlochleven would have been a bit of a nightmare for him alone! For fast elite guys there may be a technical arguement for not requireing support but the later guys I would say definately need at least two (one to run/walk and one to drive the support vehicle around to Kinlochleven/FW). Three is a better number though. There was a discussion on the cost of entering and running the WHW Race elsewhere and it certainly can be expensive depending on logistics for sleeping etc for support. If you can come to terms with the support logistics Karen I would recommend it as an event.
Being an insomniac, I was awake at 6am yesterday listening to good old Radio 4, and heard a programme called 'Ramblings' with Claire Balding, and she was talking to Pauline Walker and Fiona Rennie.aboiut the WHW, ultras etc - worth a listen..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b02x98ff
Pauline's now off to do a 48hr track race.... each to their own!
32 minutes. That's not dependent on the Conic Hill improvements. That's graft.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
And those steps on CH are crap. If anything it's less runnable.
Aye.. its a faster course than it was.. but when you look how the record has dropped from Vim? to Jez then Terry now Paul, thats not just Path improvements.Quote:
Originally Posted by simgreen78
Run of a career so far by Paul, he's a good ultra runner but I didn't think he had that in him to be honest. That's a truly top class run.
He ran 8:09? in the Fling this year, which is a good run, but certainly didn't point towards running an almost sub 15 hr WHW..
Be interesting to read the reports of him and Marco, see where they think they improved.. Richie C again just being Richie.. so so consistent.. to be that consistent over 95 miles is so impressive.