West Highland Way

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Originally Posted by Tom R

Anybody know when the entries open for this race?
I think i might try it next year.

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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.

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Originally Posted by JohnK

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.

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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...

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.

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Originally Posted by Tom R

You are right Andy, but it is fun to take part in events / races.

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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.

Think i might try the highland fling instead.

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Originally Posted by IainR

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...

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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)

Anyone know when Fling entries open? Thinking of this next year & maybe Lakes50Jason

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Originally Posted by Trossachs?

Anyone know when Fling entries open? Thinking of this next year & maybe Lakes50Jason

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Should be fairly soon. We're just looking in to changing over to on-line entry.

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.