The Mighty Deerstalker March 20th 2010
Never before has so much Tweed embraced the banks of the erm ... Tweed. With Deerstalker it’s not just a run, it’s an extraordinary experience and an emotional and spiffing adventure to boot. All you need to do is arrive, park nicely, embrace your fellow stalkers, doth your hat to the Laird and prepare yourself for the ponds, rivers, hills and party. And, if you are doing the Mighty (10k + the rest) make sure that you have sharpened your headtorches! This year, look out for the firework to be launched when the leader reaches the summit of Oor Rocky, and be amazed. And after the ardour, we have lashings of Deerstalker ale for you, plus some great live performers once again.
(This will be the last mailout prior to the event, so here are a few last reminders and pieces of news. Please take note).
Timeline
Friday 19th March:
17.00 – Camping gate opens
19.00 – Registration opens
19.00 – Rat Race Store opens
19.00 – Catering opens
22.00 – Registration closes
23.00 – Camping Closes. After this time we will not be able to welcome new arrivals.
Saturday 20th March:
08.00 – Catering opens
10.30 – Registration opens
13.45 – Registration closes
13.45 – Scottish Spouse Racing Championships
14.00 – The Deerstalker 5km (+ a bit) start
14.15 – Registration reopens
17.15 – Registration closes
17.30 – The Mighty Deerstalker 10km (+ the rest) start*
20.00 – Digital Dinosaur on stage
20.45 – Prize giving
21.15 – Findlay Napier & the Bar Room Mountaineers on stage
22.00 – The Duck Pond (Traquair Brewery) Band on stage
24.00 – Catering Ends
24.00 – Bands, Bar and Party Ends
*NB: we might push this back slightly if it is just too light.
Sunday 21st March
0800 – Catering opens
1400 – Vacate campsite
Parking and Camping
As a reminder: Please consider sharing cars, even if this means parking in Innerleithen and then bringing one car into the event centre area at Traquair. In inclement weather, parking will be limited. There is an orientation map of the venue here. Please ensure you have read through the Parking & Camping arrangements document online as well as the Code of Conduct. They are both available here. Arrive with good time to spare. If you are parking & camping make sure you print out and display your PASS on your car as this will help us park you in a suitable spot, this is ESSENTIAL. One pass per VEHICLE available for download here. Please follow the instructions of the stewards - be patient and polite, thanks.
Registration
Entry Lists are now available online on the homepage www.themightydeerstalker.com (right hand side column). Make sure you note your runner number, as you will need this in order to register. Please note that entries are sorted alphabetically by your Last Name. Any new entries will be added at the bottom of the Entry List. Please note that it is FORBIDDEN to swap runner’s names - should there be any emergency we need to be able to correlate the number with the correct wearer. At registration you will be collecting your runner number and collecting your FinishLine Timing Chip. You will attach the Chip securely to your shoe laces – if it is attached in any other locations your time will not be recordable. You must also fill in the medical form on the back of your runner number - this is ESSENTIAL. Do not underestimate the length of time required for Registration – there are 2500 of you and it WILL be busy. If you miss registration, you will not be able to run. Remember that you can register on Friday evening also.
If you have registered we will assume you have started. If you do not start or retire, please report to the finish line and hand in your Timing Chip. If you do not report in then we will have to instigate a costly search involving the local Mountain Rescue Team and other emergency services, so please help us to keep on top of this.
Catering
Dine out with the Laird’s Larder – our wholesome and hardy bunch of caterers, offering a broad range of hot hearty fair and drinks. Serving up from 7pm on Friday evening all the way through the weekend…
Crewing
We are still recruiting crew to help at the event. If you are bringing family or mates, can they help for the day (and eve)? Can you forward this email to a friend that might like to get involved in the action? We just need crew to be rigged for the outdoors, keen, helpful and observant. Please email us at crew@ratraceadventure.com and we’ll let you know what the reward deal is for helping at the event.
Rat Race Store
It would be great to see you in our heated Rat Race Store marquee to chew the fat from Friday night onwards and hear about how you are gearing up for the challenge ahead, and any kit feedback you would like to share. Stock up on last minute essentials or take advantage of some event special offers:
20% off 2XU compression wear
15% off packs including OMM, inov8, Salomon and Camelbak
10% off trail shoes and free pair of Bridgedale socks.
Shoe brands include Adidas, La Sportiva, inov8 and New Balance
15% off Ron Hill kit
20% off Multipower sports nutrition
Representatives from Ron Hill, New Balance and Multipower will be on hand to give you the latest info for you to get the most from their products.
This is the BBC
BBC Country Tracks are filming the event this year, so if you cut a dash, a tache or a least some panache, get in front of that camera!
The Challenge
You might be smiling, excited and trying on your Tweed outfit, but do remember that this event is also a serious run in the hills and valley. Whether you are taking part in the Deerstalker or the Mighty Deerstalker, the race is over rough, sometimes steep, muddy, sometimes slippery, sometimes rocky surfaces and obstacles, both natural and built, and with many trees and other participants alongside you. Beware of tree branches and therefore of protecting your eyes. For the Mighty Deerstalker, the race runs on into the night so make sure you have a fully charged, functioning headtorch, it is MANDATORY equipment for you to complete the course safely. Petzl Tikka Plus 2 head torches can be reserved for collection at the event for the amazing price of £29.95 at the RatRaceStore.com saving you 20%.
Safety Matters
Bring full body cover options with you, should the weather deteriorate in the final hours before your run, and seriously consider the other recommended items mentioned in the website, such as food, drink, first aid kit and whistle – all contained in a small bumbag or rucksack. There is a water stop on both 5k and 10k, but please do not solely rely on this if you think you will take a while to complete the course.
During your run look out for the signs of others on the course seriously struggling or injured and report this to the next course marshal, event first aider, or bail-out with them, to a point of help – potentially a residence. If you see someone in trouble: HELP, you are the nearest person to be able to assist. In reality, incidents like this are extremely rare, and you will be amongst hundreds of people having a jolly (if not strenuous) time. We do run on a few roads, none of which are closed for this event. Although we have marshals and cautionary signage for car drivers we do ask that you are responsible for your own decisions and actions when running on or crossing any public roads.
Remember, we have tweaked the courses slightly for 2010 so make sure you check out the route maps online before you cross that startline. The noticeable tweak is in the 10k, where you will cross the main street in Innerleithen, and then take to a different street and use a footbridge to cross the river again – it’s shown on the course map on the website here.
The Finish
After finishing, please remove your FinishLine Timing Chip and hand to the finish marshal. They will present you with your memento for your incredible efforts and strenuousnesses. The Timing Chip is an incredibly important item for us to know that you are safely off the course and if the Chip is lost or kept, we will be asking for £15 reimbursement.
Prizegiving & Beerstalker Party
This post-event prize-giving party is notoriously euphoric. You will have earned it! The prize giving will take place under canvas and we will aim for 8.45pm for this, although this will depend on timings on the day. Then it’s time to strike up the bands headlined by the Duck Pond Brewery Band, Traquair’s very own rock stars and the men who have brewed the Deerstalker Ale you see (double) before you.
Please remember that your own alcohol is not permitted in the beer tent in order to comply with licensing regulations.
Any more questions? On the website, take a look at the FAQ’s, read the words on kit to be worn and carried, and study the map of the route - you won’t need to navigate, but you might like to know where you are going!
We look forward to seeing you this weekend, raring to do it all in Tweed.
The Laird and his Ghillies
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