News
The Return of the MIGHTY DEERSTALKER
2 January 2008
Here ye, here ye, we herald the RETURN OF THE MIGHTY DEERSTALKER on 01 MARCH 2008. Entries open on Friday 23rd November 2007.
Well bend me over and stuff me like a taxidermist. It's back - the wackiest adventure this side of Fraggle Rock. It's the Mighty Deerstalker - back a month earlier than last year. Let's embrace the brass monkeys!
So it comes to pass - the MIGHTY DEERSTALKER SHALL RETURN. Last year, 650 of you joined us on a 5km* and 10km** Adventure Run that saw you battle it out across fell, forest, river and moor. The result: a good few thrills and spills, some excellent country outfits, plenty of mud and some quality drinking to top it all off. This year we return to ye Olde Traquair to do it all again. Expect the same mixture of fun and frolics and a tough course set over some superb Borders scenery. You may laugh, you will probably cry, you will get wet and you will get very muddy. Choose to do it with your mates or strap on your Mankini and go ballistic as a solo Borat sprinter. Either way, we'll be back at Traquair resplendent in our official race organisers' Tweed threads on 01 MARCH 2008. We've made it as easy as possible to sign up by offering all of you who joined us last year a special Early Bird entry deal, which will open on 23rd NOVEMBER 2008. You lucky people will get 1/3 off the regular rates if you enter before the end of this year. That's until 31 December 2007 for those working on the Roman calendar. You can read all about the event at www.themightydeerstalker.com and view some great pictures of some great people taking part in last year's romp.
* OK, so it was a little further
** OK, OK, this one was a good bit further
1.) Early Bird entry deal- OPENING 23rd November 2007
2.) Entry Classes
3.) What you do get?
4.) Modifications and Manifestations
5.) Dress Code
6.) Deerstalker Party
7.) Location
1.) Early Bird entry deal
For those of you who know you want it, then we have made it simple. Enter BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR and save 1/3. If you are competing in our new team class, then that's 3 for the price of 2. Entries open on Friday 23rd November 2008 and you have until 31 December to enter at this price. Remember, last year the event SOLD OUT very quickly so don't dally. There will be much demand and you will not want to miss out on the merriment. For those 50 extra extra early birds, further incentive awaits in the form of a Deerstalker official "Do it in Tweed" T-shirt and Buff Visor official headpiece - sped to your door by our TNT carrier pigeons.
2.) Entry Classes
So a third off what, I hear you ask? Well, regular pricing will be £19 for the Deerstalker Run and £29 for the Mighty Deerstalker Run. Here's how they both break down in terms of what will happen on the day:
Painful Choice A: Deerstalker 5km (ish) Adventure Run event:
£19 regular price. £13 Early bird until 31/ 12/ 07. Join your fellow stalkers in the countryside of ye olde Traquair and get ready for the start of the event at around 1600 on Sat 01 March 2008. Upon the sound of our starting Bugle, you will dash out to glory as you make your way onto the infamous Deerstalker course. Some of you will be adorned with your finest Tweed, others will be clad in fine ill-fitting lycra apparel; ALL of you will get wet, muddy and tired. But you will all return having tackled rivers, bogs, steep ascents and exciting descents. You will also encounter the "Deershore" obstacle course and other obstacles en route. You won't need a map - there will be markers placed out there to guide you.
Painful Choice B: Mighty Deerstalker 10km (and a bit) Adventure Run event:
£29 regular price. £20 Early bird until 31/ 12/ 07. Watch the return of the Deerstalkers before you set out on your adventure. You will need a good head torch as you will not be returning to Traquair House until after darkness has fallen. Your run will take you around the Deerstalker course before departing on a further 'Mighty' loop which will take you up and down even steeper, rougher, wetter and wickeder natural and man-made obstacles before the final lunge for the line.
Entry categories are Bambi (under 18's), Stag (18-49) or Old Stag (50-70). Although this is a solo performance event, podium prizes for teams of three will be given, based on aggregate time. Team members do not have to stick together.
3.) What do you get?
For your entry, we will provide you with:
1. The Deerstalker / Mighty Deerstalker Adventure run, safety cover, medical cover and way-marking
2. Interesting and engaging obstacles constructed en route
3. Race Medalion for all finishers
4. Event village with pre-event music, commentary and other entertainments for family members and supporters, including the "Deer tent" for the drinkers amongst your group
5. Electronic timing chip and results print-out immediately post-event
6. Deerstalker party, outrageous bands and ceilidh, prize giving and spot prizes
7. Fab class prizes
8. Free parking and access to the grounds of Traquair House
9. Free camping for those who want to stay overnight before and after the race
4.) Modifications and Manifestations
Well, after this year's race, the secret is out on the route. The distances were greater than 5k and 10k, and the ascent and descent more than value than most would ever bargain for. The 5k (ish) route takes a sprint down the road and through a waist deep pond before ascending steeply into the forest on purpose built Mountain bike trails, and up and up until the Deershore is reached, a novel set of wooden obstacles - up, through, over and under. Then it's a burst down the MTB trails before free-falling through steep forest to hit a catch net at the road cutting, then to the River Tweed old rail bridge. Alongside this river to the muddy sump under the Tweed bridge, then across more fields with one final river crossing before tranquil gardens are reached. The 10k (and a bit) is audacious. The first loop is as above, but after crossing the old rail bridge, the real adventure starts! Into the River Leithen, and bashing up the riverbed for over 100m then up past the fort, then down, then around, then turn left and behold the mighty scree gully of 'Rocky' - Pirn Craig. Ascend this staircase of rock, hit the summit, fireworks, turn left and fly down the ridge path with the town lights twinkling below, into the trees and the stunning bike reflector stage - torches utterly essential by now. After a steep rope-aided drop to the River Leithen, it's a route up and down muddy river banks, under bridges and the 100m river-run-reversed before reaching the Tweed, and following the last of the 5k (ish) route and the (by now black) muddy sump, to the finish and the final, awkward, obstacle.
Memorable, and rightly so - the Mighty Deerstalker is a massive achievement of extraordinary running. Completed by a vast array of running enthusiasts, big or small, short or tall, quick or slow, all game for the adventure. We had a deluge of support after the event, ranging from 'bold and beautiful' to 'physically monumental!' Ray just about sums it up here;
'Just a quick mail to let you know how much I enjoyed my 1st adventure run at 52 yrs old........The Mighty Deerstalker. The race (10k) was absolutely brilliant, I loved it, even the scree....the organisation was exceptional with patience being shown for people like me as a newcomer to the sport. I am sure the whole day proved a resounding success and I am left with some brilliant memories. Hopefully I will be back next year for more of the same. All that remains is to say a great BIG thanks to yourself and all concerned in making my day fantastic. THANKS, Ray
Next year, expect more fantastic natural and custom obstacles and surreality - what white noise music would you like to hear pumping through the 'rebirthing' tunnel next year?!
5.) Dress Code
The Deerstalker is all about the Tweed – and not just because it's based in the Tweed valley. We positively encourage the proliferation of quality country apparel and particularly the headgear. Anyone turning up with a Deerstalker hat as part of their race garb will receive a £1 credit in the beer tent. Last year we saw it all – quite literally in some cases! Plus fours, leather elbow patches and the prickliest tweed from your Grandfather's closet is welcomed with open arms, as is the abundance of visually impairing neon-lycra that made an appearance last year. If you're not into all that sillyness then never mind, you can race in whatever you like. But please remember, whatever you wear, you WILL be accessing some fairly inhospitable terrain at a time of year not renowned for its sun cream sales. So you should wear sensible off-road footwear and good socks, think about wet weather gear and be prepared for a mountain running environment. You are asked to carry suitable clothing for the prevailing weather conditions, and in the worst weathers we will insist that you start with full body cover. Perhaps bring a bum-bag or similar to carry this gear on the race. For those running the 10k (and a bit) then this same bag will come in handy for your torch. You are strongly advised to carry some basic first aid provisions and a whistle for summoning help, should you crumble.
6.) Deerstalker Party
One of the highlights of having our very own Country Estate from which to base the event is also having a brewery, located inside the house! With the simply excellent brews on offer, it would be wicked of us to suggest you do not partake in a few wee snifters post-event. The specially prepared and labelled Traquair "Deerstalker Ale" is brewed here on site under the watchful eyes of the Laird and packs a mighty fine punch. We invite you to quaff a-plenty at the (now-infamous) Deerstalker after-party in the marquee. We will have the prize giving at the party as well as excellent local live bands. Slainte!
7.) Location
The Deerstalker event is located within the grounds of Traquair House, the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. It's a beautiful spot with a splendid Scottish baronial stately home as the backdrop to the Start of the run. Traquair is located 1 mile outside the village of Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, famous for its mountain biking, fishing and golf options. It's a fabulous part of the country and offers a brilliant home for what is a superb, scenic, fun and challenging adventure run. Easy access by road from Edinburgh and the central belt of Scotland, or drive your coach and horse straight up ye olde A1 or M74 from England and join in the revelry!
Bring on the Tweed – the Deerstalker is back – and he has got YOU in his sights.
See you in Tweed. All the best,
The Laird
