West Highland Way

[Tom R]

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.

[runningfool]

I wonder how many runners would prefer to do it without the need for support crews?

Quite a few I dare say but I also know that for many, having a crew is one of the attractions.

The WHW is for the most part on well used footpaths so i wondered why a support crew was deemed necessary?

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 race

Also there must be quite a convoy of cars with rather tired drivers tootling up and down the roads which follow the route?

Yep, the convoy can become a problem and it does limit the size of the field entering the race.

I would really like to run the WHW race but can't due to the requirements of a crew. Oh well.

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.

[runningfool]

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

[that_fjell_guy]

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:

[runningfool]

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. ;-)

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.

[that_fjell_guy]

'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!

[runningfool]

'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.

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.

[that_fjell_guy]

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!!

[runningfool]

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.

[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.