News
Are you ready to become a STALKER?
19 February 2008
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Deerstalker 5k (ish) and the Mighty Deerstalker 10k (and a bit) Adventure Runs - 1st March 2008: Traquair House
Hello Fellow Tweed-clad adventurers,
The day of reckoning is almost upon us all…with just under two weeks to go before you don your tweed and descend upon ye olde Traquair for the Deerstalker, there a few things we need to remind you of to ensure you have a great weekend.
With the first event getting rave reviews and interest in the second one being so immense, it was inevitable the numbers would rocket. It seems you all love a bit of Tweed, a smidgen of the Deerstalker’s wickedly potent ale and lashings and lashings of action, adventure, mud, sweat and tears Borders-style. The word on the street in and around Innerleithan is that the area is buzzing with anticipation as we get ready to set up camp at Traquair again and welcome you all to this glorious area. Some snippets of news from the Laird, as we prepare to polish our bugle and remove the mothballs from our Plus fours…..
1. The magical 1k
2. Timings - when darkness descends.....
3. The Course
4. Pimp my Run
5. Activities, Entertainments and Prize giving
6. Accommodation
7. Camping
8. Risk and Assessment
9. Join the event crew!
10. Car Parking
11. Event partners and sponsors
1. 1000 is the magic number
We are now approaching 1,000 entrants for the Deerstalker; 300 for the 5k (ish) and 700 for the 10k (and a bit). There will be up to 300 runners for the 5k and up to 700 for the 10k). This is our top limit on the event – so if you have mates who you are trying to drag kicking and screaming along for the ride, now is the time to press gang harder and get them sworn into your Deerstalker finishing pact. We do have some spaces left, but the sign ups are still coming in so we really do recommend that people enter this week. When they’re gone, they’re gone! We will establish a waiting list though and if people do wither and drop out, then places might become available. The moral of the story – get that entry in!
2. Timings - when darkness descends.....
Listen up! As the event is one month earlier than our now famous 2007 opener, we have brought the start times forward. The Deerstalker 5k (ish) will commence at 1400 and will be followed by the Mighty Deerstalker 10k (and a bit) at 1700. PLEASE NOTE these times! The Ghillies will not be chasing you to the Start line, they will be chasing you OFF the Start line!
Registration needs to be prompt and will open at 1030. We'll need you signed in, medically registered, and ready to stalk, well before your start time. Please note that the medical form is essential and takes some time to fill in. It is available online to download here. Bring it filled in and be popular with our registration team and save yourself some time. Remember there is the jovial ambience of the Deerstalker village for you and your kin, so don’t be shy of registering early on the day. It’ll be nicer for you and you can refresh with some food and drink in time for the off. All forms will be provided at Registration, along with your timing gadgetry – a small plastic timing chip that is attached to your wrist at Registration. There will be some additional briefing notes or notices at registration so look out for these.
3. The Course.
It's big and bad. The 5k + a bit is pretty much the same as last year, with a few tweeks to make the MB7 Deershore sections more, well, Deershorey. The 10k (+ the rest) has actually been made easier – what?! Yes, the returning river section (in the dark) has been removed, in favour of the Tunnel of Luuuurve just before the finish. Prepare to get moist in all the nether regions of this event. We'll publish a map of the route shortly before the day so that you can brush up on your orientations beforehand. That’s all you’ll get from us now. It’s steep, rugged, involves various types of terrain, has obstacles and a scree climb (Mighty if only for the Scree) and you WILL get wet, but you will get a medal. See - it's worth it! Any other questions? There is always one;
FAQ
Q: How do I train for this event?
A: Take a deep breath and smile.
4. Pimp my Run
Some of you choose to dress up. That's the spirit. Just don't choose a get-up that will frighten or hurt others, or wreck our intricate course design - i.e. The Human Torch. Those most outrageous dressers will attract prizes at the party. We’ll be resplendent in our finest Tweed threads and we will encourage you to do the same; remember this IS the Deerstalker. So drag out your Great Great Uncle’s trunk and delve inside for whatever vintage headwear you can lay your mitts on!! Deerstalker hats are de rigeur at this event. Whether it’s a £2.99 “Sherlock Holmes” stag night offering from a joke shop or a Generations-old Tweed mothball-fest, get it on your bonce!
5. Activities, Entertainments and Prize giving
This land is famous for its homegrown entertainments; of beer and bands, jolly japes and ballyhoo. And we have created a party to stay for. During the day the event village will be full of country revelry. There will be a bouncy castle for the bairns, a bruckin’ bronco, swings and sheep dog demonstrations. The bike trials riders will be wowing you with their dare-devil stunts and the bands will play, whilst our commentator cracks a couple of cheeky Deerstalker one-liners to take the edge off the chilly (nearly) Spring air. Sustenance can be sought via the delightful fare of Wilf’s Cafe, Risotto 2 Go and Highland Hog Roasts. You can get last minute gear or treat yourself good at the Deerstalker “High Street” featuring Pete Bland Sports’ mecca of running delights and Urban Adventure Gear’s quirky mix of, well, Urban Adventure Gear. We have the masseurs back too, so your pleasure will be their pleasure…for a small fee! See SSPM's Take Care leaflet on the website here. £5 for each 10 minute treatment and bionic sports taping for £20. The party will commence at 7pm and we’ll host the prize giving within it. We have kindly been provided with prizes by Pete Bland Sports, Berghaus, Bridgedale and Nuun and there will be spot prizes for the best dressed, the most hilarious tale and “spirit of the event” prizes for heroes of the hour. We don’t know exactly when the prize giving will be yet, but it is likely to be around 8.30. We have moved the “Deer” tent out of the walled garden this year and into the main field, so your clan can cheer you home from the comfort of their barstool. It should make for a great knees-up and the soulful sounds of ska sensation Big Hand will cut gracefully through the air in the late afternoon, before the roll-n-roll brewers from the Traquair Brewery take over and the “Duck Pond Beer Band” take you towards midnight and maybe oblivion.
6. 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 www.scot-borders.co.uk/accommodation/default.htm. If not, you can camp. And many of you have been in touch on the camping arrangements. And here they are…
7. Camping
The Deerstalker camping village will be live and kicking from Friday night and we invite and encourage you to come on down with your supporters and pitch up your tents with us. We would prefer if you didn’t arrive before 1600 on the Friday, to give us time to set things up. The bar will be open then, if you want to have a cheeky one or two Deerstalker snifters. You are welcome to camp from Friday through to Sunday, one night or two and on the Sunday, you can up sticks and leave any time during the day. We’ll be there all day clearing up so take your time, have a lie in and enjoy the crisp air and the not-so-crisp hangover. One important point to note on the camping: the pitches are NOT next to the cars. So you will be parking up and camping in a separate location. It’s in the same field – just a short walk from the car, that’s all.
We need your help on the camping. If you do want to camp, there is no charge. All we require is that you email info@themightydeerstalker.com and tell us you are coming, and how many tents you will be pitching, for how many people. This will give an idea of your pitch size. We really do need your co-operation here. For families, we will try and stake out a “quieter” area and for those with an affinity for excess, we’ll try and put you as close to the bar as possible. BUT, please tell us how many of you there are and how many tents specifically. And let us know if you are coming with the family and we will try and ensure you are positioned away from the madding crowds.
8. Risk and Assessment
We are sometimes asked whether we risk assess these events and activities. Of course we do and we take these matters seriously and studiously. We also ask our partners and contractors to do the same. Last year's event had a fantastic incident record - one sprained ankle. Part of our risk assessment is that you conduct yourselves in a safe manner and this applies to especially to not barging into or running on the heads of others. Be aware that some people around you are not as rough and tufty as yourself so don't be pushy and do be patient and pleasant if queues develop anywhere. We ask that if someone falls down near you or needs assistance then lend a hand - your actions will be immediate and effective. We have St.Andrews ambulance at the finish, some very good Medics out on the course, Police and local Mountain Rescue Team in the loop. As night falls that is a time to be particularly careful and observant of others' conditions.
Lastly we have stipulated the following on the website and it is important to reiterate now '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.' You are also advised to have warm clothing nearby for immediately after the finish. If you have yet to select a headtorch for the Mighty One, then follow the torchlit link on the website or see the excellent products at Urban Adventure Gear.
9. Event Crew
We love you and we need you. If you have a friend or family member that is of an age or inclination to help then please email us at info@themightydeerstalker.com and we can find a rewarding and fun role for you. Some roles are all day and adventurous whilst others are closer to home and may only require a couple of hours of your time. It all helps. People with certain skills are also welcomed; near water, for first aid, in the wilds. If you think you would like to help, then you can join our crew and see the other side of the fence – the Laird and his Ghillies working hard to provide the wackiness for all.
10. Car Parking
Lastly, one important request. Car Parking for this number of people at such a fantastic location is tight. We need to pack you in. Please consider sharing cars, even if this means parking in Innerleithen and then bringing one car into the event centre area. There are two car parks that you will be directed to as you approach Traquair House: One is a field that could get dicy in wet weather. The other is a hard standing area. Please follow the instructions of the stewards - be patient and polite.
11. Thanks to our event partners
The Scottish Borders Council www.scotborders.gov.uk
Scottish Enterprise Borders www.scottish-enterprise.com
Forestry Commission <www.forestry.gov.uk>
Pete Bland Sports www.peteblandsports.com
Berghaus www.berghaus.com
Bridgedale www.bridgdale.com
Nuun www.nuun.com
Urban Adventure Gear www.urbanadventuregear.com
See you at the ‘Stalker! We’re on info@themightydeerstalker.com and 0845 0094365 in the meantime!
The Laird and his Ghillies
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You will like Traquair so much you'll want to come back in the summer. Visit the house or fairs and learn more about this beautiful spot at www.traquair.co.uk. Also, on July 5/6th this year we have a new event taking place; our very own “Dirty Weekend” and you are invited......but more on that later.
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