News
The Mighty Deerstalker – 21st March 2009
25 February 2009
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye,
(Drum roll please)….
With more mothballs than your Grandmother’s closet, more thrills and spills than Blackpool pleasure beach, more lung-bursting hardship than a season of Prison Break and more Derring-do than an attic full of Beano Annuals, it can only mean one thing. THE MIGHTY DEERSTALKER 2009 is here.
So, are you ready for a MIGHTY amount of mud, a rocky mountain, (called Rocky), some freezing cold river crossings, a cavalcade of runners in the finest country attire and a rampant party under canvas, all set against the stunning backdrop of the oldest inhabited house in Scotland? If so, then you are destined for the Mighty Deerstalker, the most outlandish running event in the calendar and going into its 3rd year with YOU, the star of the show. It has come to our attention that country outfitters across the land have reported a resurgence in the popularity of rustic Victorian garb and we are not surprised, as nearly 1500 of you have so far answered the call of the Laird and his Ghillies so far. If you are still to enter, or know someone who is, then stick a well-heeled, thick socked, leather soled turn-of-the-century inspired boot up their bottom and get them on down to www.themightydeerstalker.com where we relish their eager reply to the call of the ‘Stalker.
Come hither, Deerstalkers far and wide, for the day of reckoning is beckoning. Read on for important race info and some lighter musings from the Laird and his Ghillies.
We have also added FAQ’s here for those wanting to know even more.
NB: This mail contains definitive event information. Please take the time to read it all. We will be communicating with you once more, one week before event day.
1. Entries are almost full
2. Timings - when darkness descends.....
3. Registration and Medical Form
4. The Course
5. Scottish Borders Spouse Racing Championships
6. Pimp my Run
7. The Official Deerstalker T shirt and merchandise on sale now
8. Head Torch offer
9. Activities, Entertainments and Prize giving
10. Accommodation
11. Camping
12. Risk and Assessment
13. Join the event crew!
14. Car Parking15. Event partners and sponsors
1. Entries are filling
We now have over 1,250 runners for the Deerstalker; 400 for the 5k (ish) and 850 for the 10k (and a bit). 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 very soon. For entery page click here. When they're gone, they're gone! Closer to the event we’ll publish the start list and you’ll be able to see your comrades in Tweed.
2. Timings - when darkness descends.....
As the event is 3 weeks later than last year, we have pushed the Mighty’s start times back. The Deerstalker 5k (ish) will commence at 1400 and will be followed by the Mighty Deerstalker 10k (and a bit) at approx 1730. PLEASE NOTE these times! The Ghillies will not be chasing you to the Start line, they will be chasing you OFF the Start line!
3. Registration and medical form
Registration for both runs will be open from 1030 – 1345 and from 1415 until 1715. Even we will take a break to enjoy the view of the start of the 5K! Please note that there will be 1500 people to register and although we will do our best to register everyone as fast as possible a queue will be unavoidable. In order to register you must bring your medical form. It is available online to download here. Bring it filled in and save yourself some time on the day.
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. There will be some additional briefing notes, display maps and notices at registration so look out for these.
4. The Course
It's big and bad. The 5k (ish) is the same steep-learning-curve-of-a-course as last year, with a few tweeks to the wetness and the MB7 “Deershore” sections and some very surreal crawling stages – did we say it was just a run? For the Mighty 10k (+ the rest), prepare once again to get moist in all the nether regions in this event. It’s steep, rugged, involves various types of terrain, has obstacles and a scree climb (Mighty if only for the scree) and you will be wet and challenged, but you will get a reward in the form of the Mighty horned memento. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is just a fun run and please note the following points;
This is an Adventure Run in a world of fun, hardship and camaraderie. There are both severe moments and serene pleasurable moments. For the first time, we can reveal that the ascent figure for the Mighty is close to a whole Scottish mountain’s worth of feet. As ever, the true distances remain a mystery. Take a look at the finish times in the 2008 results for a decent guideline for your outing. This will inform you as to how much extra kit to wear and carry. The kit requirements might seem minimal, but stay tuned for any announcements on more stringent equipment requirements should the weather be looking challenging.
5. Scottish Borders Spouse Racing Championships
Yes, indeed we have just invented it. We didn’t get quite enough takers for the Bambino Deerstalker, so we have created Spouse and Children racing. Shortly before the start of the 2pm Deerstalker, will ask that children (with parents) and Spouses* line up for a quick lap of the avenue. This motley crew will line up for a 200m lap of ridiculous configurations. The rule is that any adult must have another adult on their back and any child must run unencumbered. In this way, the adults might just get beaten. Start practising those piggy backs and strengthen those knees.
*Wife, Husband, somebody else’s Husband, fiancé, girlfriend, boyfriend, or perhaps you just grab someone that you are attracted to, on the day...
6. 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! Plus fours, cravats and Tweed sports jackets are also highly recommended.
7. The Official Deerstalker T shirt and merchandise on sale now
Once you have laid down your Tweed for another year, why not impress your mates with the signature Deerstalker tales of valour, resplendent in the signature T shirt to immortalise the occasion. Our funky Ts are available for you to buy right now, from our retail partners Urban Adventure Gear, together with Deerstalker Buffs. They have also presented some other kit seelctions that you may find useful in your upcoming adventure. Check it all out here.
8. Head Torch offer
We’ve teamed up with Urban Adventure Gear to offer an amazing deal on the superb Petzl Myo XP headtorch. Normally priced at £60, it’s available for just £49 and includes a super cool Deerstalker special edition Reflective Buff thrown in for FREE. Just 40 units are available at this great price so be quick! The Petzl Myo XP is a startling addition to your Mighty Deerstalker attire. Every year we hear of runners that have struggled to follow waymarks and have stumbled about with their inadequate head torches. This Myo XP torch is the answer, and really adds power to your progress, picks out the many watery and rugged obstacles and makes safer your descending style. Useful for getting home from the party too!
“All in all, one of the best all-round torches on the market with a versatile spread from campsite glow right up to piercing alpine beam. The extra brightness only makes it better.” Outdoors Magic Review 2008.
Get on down to www.urbanadventuregear.com to check out the deals.
9. 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 and fine eating, whilst our commentator cracks a couple of cheeky Deerstalker one-liners to take the edge off the chilly spring air. You can get last minute gear, torches, Buffs, T-shirts and treat yourself good at the Rat Race Adventure Store. We have the masseurs back too, so your pleasure will be their pleasure…for a small fee. The party will commence at 7pm and we’ll host the prize giving within it, where we hope you are a treasured recipient of some great product prizes and the coveted crazy wooden sculptures for the winners. Throughout the weekend we have the all-consuming good food from Quaker Catering. Please see their menus and opening times here.
We must politely point out that you CANNOT bring your OWN ALCOHOL into the beer tent. The beer tent is licensed but it is not licensed for the consumption of your own beer, as this is a condition of the licence.
We have kindly been provided with over £2000 worth of prizes by our fabulous partners the Rat Race Adventure Store, Skins, Inov8, Sea to Summit, Adventure Medical Kits, Buff and Bridgedale. 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 20.30. During the day, we will have some tunes-a-playing and as the party unfolds, some fabulous live acts will draw you into the Deerstalker party spirit, culminating as the roll-n-roll brewers from the Traquair Brewery hit the stage and the "Duck Pond Beer Band" take you towards midnight and maybe oblivion.
10. 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. If not, you can camp. And many of you have been in touch on the camping arrangements. And here they are…
11. 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 ask you not to arrive before 1600 on the Friday, to give us time to set things up. The bar will be open 1900 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 unlikely to be right 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 ask that you to be considerate campers, keeping noise and litter generation to the minimum. Camper vans and caravans are welcome and we will be parking you in a hard-standing car park nearby. Please follow the instructions of the parking and camping marshals at all times.
If you want to camp, there is no charge. BUT we do ask that you download and print a camping permit (it will be available on the website from March 9th), that will allow us to site you in the camp-site parking area and will enable us to gauge numbers of campers pre-event. This is important. Please download and print this permit and stick it in your window as you approach the site. Follow the parking marshals’ instructions from there.
12. 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. Part of our risk assessment is that you conduct yourselves in a safe manner and this applies 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 very good Medics out on the course and at the event centre. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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 very large hard standing area where we will ask all large vehicles to park, including big vans, campers, caravans and the like. This car park is shown on the course map as the ‘P’ symbol between Traquair House and Innerleithen. Please follow the instructions of the stewards - be patient and polite.
15. Thanks to our event partners
The Forestry Commission and Scottish Borders Council have been instrumental in allowing us to stage this event from the outset. We salute you!
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. They are our gracious hosts and they brew some pretty mean beer too!
Thanks also to our prize sponsors Rat Race Adventure Store, Skins, Inov8, Sea to Summit, Adventure Medical Kits, Buff and Bridgedale.
See you at the 'Stalker'! We're on info@themightydeerstalker.com and 0845 0094365 in the meantime!
The Laird and his Ghillies
