West Highland Way

[Yaks]

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 !!

[karen nash]

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.

[JohnK]

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.

[petestack]

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 !!

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.)

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.

One's just not enough and, after taking two for my first race, we've taken three (which I'd recommend) for the others.

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.

[karen nash]

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

[petestack]

I see what you mean Pete. I think I am just used to being that bit more independent.

Think that's fair enough, and can assure you I'm quite used to being 'independent' in much wilder, remoter contexts, but...

Would be good if they did it like that but with 3 drop bags like the Hardmoors110

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!

[that_fjell_guy]

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.

[Boy Wonder]

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!

[simgreen78]

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.

32 minutes. That's not dependent on the Conic Hill improvements. That's graft.

And those steps on CH are crap. If anything it's less runnable.

[IainR]

32 minutes. That's not dependent on the Conic Hill improvements. That's graft.

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.

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.