The Mighty Deerstalker 20th March 2010
The time has come for the Mad & Mighty Deerstalker and we welcome you into beautiful Traquair for this dalliance with Tweedness. The event has grown somewhat over the years so if you haven’t been back since the inaugural event in 2006, brace yourself!
Entries are still open but the event is filling fast, and we are going to have to draw the line soon.
Parking and Camping
We have published some new documents to navigate you around the arrangements for parking and camping. We have also issued a Code of Conduct to keep us all aright. These documents discuss such matters as car sharing, no fires, no bottles, vehicles on site and general venue safety.
For you to camp we require that you read these documents and complete a brief web form here. Thanks.
The Races / Runs / Fancy Dress
Although fancy dress is encouraged at this event, remember that this is a seriously challenging as well as seriously entertaining experience. This is the longest 5k or 10k you will ever do (a few maddies run both!) Achieve your PW (personal worst) time on the amazing course. Look back at last year’s results for the finish times and recoil in horror. Be prepared. Take some good kit, food and drink on the run, and if the weather looks worsening then bring better kit. We provide one water station on the course. You will be getting wet and possibly cold at times; though it should just be your feet at first, and perhaps a few other extremities later! If you are considering fancy dress then please think ahead on the manifestations of your kit on yourself and others. Mankini’s might be sore on the eyes but are they sore on something else too? Does the dress allow you good movement and can you see where you’re going? Basically, is it a safe choice of kit? Are you ready for the dark of the 10k? Have you practised night running? Get that torch dialled and we’ll see you on the night, literally. See the FAQs here for more inside info, and the Event Format Page here.
Pre-start Scottish Spouse Racing Championships*
5k Start 1400
10k Start 1730 earliest. We might push this back later if it’s just too light.
The route has changed little over the years, and is highly regarded as the best route for a number of reasons, connecting some outrageous natural obstacles in the Tweed Valley. However, this year, please lookout for a few tweaks on roads accessed in Innerleithen itself for the 10kers return journey in the dark. See the course map here.
*The Scottish Spouse Racing Championships is a family-friendly warm-up for the 5k at 1345hrs. Bring your other half, and gather up some children for this short dash around the event field, over a few obstacles. Take this seriously and you’ll be asked to leave the field! Oh yes, there is one rule.. you must carry your partner.
Registration
Please read carefully all of the information below and help us register up to 2,500 people on the day. It will minimise any delays if you are prepared on the day. Registration will run at the following times from the Registration Tent in the event village.
Friday 19th March: 19:00 – 22:00 (for those who are camping on Friday night or live locally)
Saturday 20th March: 11:00 – 13.45 and 14:15 - 17:15
We advise arriving and registering at least 90 minutes before the start of your run – please allow enough time to arrive and park your car. Do not be late. If you miss registration, you will not be able to run.
To register you will need to know your runner number. The entry list will be published on the website on Monday 15th March. We will also display the Entry List in the Registration Tent. Please do not try to register unless you know your runner number. Be prepared.
At Registration you will receive your Runner Pack which will contain:
- runner number (with Medical Info form on the reverse)
- 4 safety pins
- timing chip (Timing Chip MUST be attached to your shoelaces. If you place it anywhere else it will not record your time)
IMPORTANT! On the back of your runner number you will find a Medical Form printed. We strongly advise that you fill in it on the day.
Please bear in mind that there will be up to 2500 competitors registering on the day and we want to ensure the fastest and smoothest registration possible for you all. Register early and buy yourself some time on the day to relax pre-event and enjoy the atmosphere of the Event Village. Rat Race Store
The Rat Race Store will be open for business in our heated marquee from Friday evening onwards. We will be offering special offers on products such as:
- Limited edition Deerstalker T-shirts, Hoodies and Buffs
- Petzl head torches
- Adidas, Mizuno, inov-8, New Balance trail shoes
- Ron Hill and Montane clothing
- Camelbak, inov8, OMM packs and hydration systems
- Clif Bar and Multi Power sports nutrition
The Mighty Deerstalker Buff - click the Buff to buy Limited edition Deerstalker Goodies
Rat Race Reward Codes:
If you plan to redeem these before the event, please allow time for the Royal Mail to get your kit to you before race day. Remember, Rat Race Reward codes can only be redeemed at www.RatRaceStore.com and not at the event. For more information on Rat Race Rewards please click here: http://www.ratraceadventure.com/ratracerewards
Crewing
We are looking for more crew for this event. Be entertained and do a sterling chunk of work for us on the course. Pre-event. During event. After event. Please email us at info@themightydeerstalker.com
Catering
Our caterers will be on site from Friday afternoon all the way through to Sunday morning, serving up a range of cooking including special “Deerstalker stew,” home-made pies, back bacon butties on fluffy soft rolls and full Scottish breakfasts, plus specialist haggis and risotto catering vans too. There will also be a full selection of sports nutrition and isotonic drinks on offer, as well as freshly ground coffee, velvety hot chocolate and piping hot teas. We have expanded the catering from last year and there will be service going late into Friday evening for those campers arriving on site, plus late into Saturday evening for the hardy revellers amongst you, and opening early on Saturday and Sunday mornings for the eager beavers. Accommodation
There are a variety of accommodation options in the area. Although many have already been taken by the descending hoards, you will still be able to get some good lodgings at http://www.visitscottishborders.com/WhatToExperience/Accommodation/default.aspx and our own local recommendations http://www.themightydeerstalker.com/page133.asp. If not, you can camp on a first come first served basis.
Party, Party
For those that have done the event before but not stayed for the party ... what were you thinking!? Beerstalker is a party of massive Borders friendliness and joy. A euphoric Tweed-dazed knees-up with the fine Deerstalker ale for company. We have the awesomely loud Duck Pond Beer Band headlining and a few support acts, and actually we are looking for ONE MORE BAND. You must know one – perhaps you are one. Just email us at info@themightydeerstalker.com.
Yours in Tweed,
The Laird and his Ghillies |
