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.
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