Utmb

[IainR]

I'm not sure re the poles. I carried them in 2008 and didn't really use them, so this year I decided to use them from the off. I used raidlights and taped them up, I'm not light, 80kilos, and found them fine. My main decision to use them was governed by the fact I had the Commonwealth 100K, 3 weeks later so I wanted to get through the UTMB with as least leg damage as I could.

On long gradual ascents I found them a god send. In normal fell races I often use hands on knees on the ascents, but with poles I could stand up straight.

I'm not doing it next year, 95% sure, but I said I wouldn't last year. Awesome event. Main advice would be start steady, get to Courmayeur feeling good and don't panic if you are slow early on, you'll make up loads later if you're feeling good.

[Ronin]

Used Poles in 2006 and 2007 (both years only got to Champex) used them again in 2009 and got round this time, entered for 2010, will use the poles again, I use them purely for ascents, but not all the time only when having problems, found it faster to ascend without them, I used Leki Carbon poles (non antishock) raidlights would be no good for me (I weigh just short of 99k)
I do beleive if you did get a leg injury on route they would help you continue (not that, thats advisable) Ran in Salomon XT Wings in 2009, found them very good, right balance between cushioning and grip.

[Sherpa]

Doh! After being adamant that I was going to wait until 2011 to do the UTMB after having finally got round the CCC this year what have I just gone and done.......... pre-registered for the UTMB for 2010. Am hoping I come to my senses by the end of the pre-registration period!

I have used poles for both my failed and succesful CCC and don't think I would have coped with the descents in the dark without them based on how bad I was with them! That is just me though and I can understand people would rather not have to faff with them and are not such a shocking descender as me.

I have noticed a lot of the Europeans fling their poles around and aren't conscious that their poles are lethal weapons though. Have only used them in the Lakes 50 here and would obviously not even think about taking them to a fell race.

[stonewaller]

Its been a long day but finally places for this years races can all be accessed on site if they havnt already emailed you, about 160 out of 200 aplications in the long run have gained a place. [/B]

[Dog Breath]

Our team of 3 have been accepted for the UTMB. What have I let myself in for. No excuse now for sitting on my backside doing nothing !!

[ukhursty]

Our team of 3 have been accepted for the UTMB. What have I let myself in for. No excuse now for sitting on my backside doing nothing !!

Well done mate, get a blog on the go so we can see your training for it!

[BritNick]

Well you could knock me over with a feather. I've been refused and I cannot imagine why. Does anyone know, if you assign yourself to a group like I did this year, if one is refused are all refused by default? I feel sick.

[Dog Breath]

That's tough luck. With a group entry, it's all in or all out. I guess we were lucky as we entered as a group and all got in.

The event was heavily over-subscribed this year, whereas I understand that everyone who applied for the 2009 event got in.

At least you will have a guaranteed entry for 2011 if you want it.

[MorganW]

Not had any email contact yet, but my CCC entry says "To pay" and I think that means I'm in.

Head says good, legs say

And I'm only doing half.

[Feet in the Cowclaps]

For those who didn't get through, here's an alternative to the ccc/utmb/tds