News
The Mighty Deerstalker loves the Tweed
9 April 2009
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The Mightiest Romp in the land has been and gone, and we are sad. We already miss the tremendous camaraderie and flamboyancy of Deerstalker. What a fantastic gathering of Lairds and Lasses; resplendent in your best Tweed n’ trainers, you ably conquered one of the toughest challenges in the UK. Roll on the next event in 2010 we say, and when we open entries in October, expect to be part of an even bigger crowd at Traquair House the following spring. If you are longing for extra adventures in this beautiful area, then please go to our accommodation list here and book in for more.
We have been deluged in glowing feedback and tales of ‘derring do’ from this year. Aptly summed up by Matthew Hickman’s words here; ‘Spiffing race, truly most excellent. Some chaps recommended I attend and what can I say......just marvellous - hats off to you men’ (and women – Ed). Perhaps Matthew was one of the fully-Tweed-clad revellers seen crowd surfing to the excellent Duck Pond (Traquair Brewery) Band at the after party.
1. SleepMonsters Photography
2. Rat Race Shop and Juice Almighty
3. Questionnaire and Complimentary Voucher
4. SleepMonsters Reports
5. In the News
6. Social Tweedworking Sites
7. For Goodness Shakes! offer
8. Results
9. Charity
10. Thank Yous
Whether you were there for the Runs, the attire or the Spouse racing, we know that you had a good time. But you had to work for it of course! We are sure that you all had mini-adventures that day, and here are a few fun anecdotals that we are aware of;
-Martin Gore won the 5k, then went on to run the 10k, only grazing the top 30. He must have been tired then..
-Three runners, although slow on the 5k, courageously completed the route despite it falling dark on them. Monumental.
-Despite injuring a tendon badly, Russell Rodgers continued on the course. Extreme.
-Local runner Darin Dougal finished in a lofty 3rd place in the Mighty Deerstalker.
-Willy Rowell lost his right shoe in the early mud, grovelled around to find a shoe and put it on. After finishing, the FinishLine event team and Willy not only determined that it was not his shoe (because of mismatched timing chip) but that it was also another left shoe. Classic!
After the event we are frequently asked, ‘What are the true distances?’ The answer remains, as always; ‘5k (and a bit) 10k (and the rest). Just to show some interesting data though, check this graph out for the course profile. Impressed with yourself? You should be. Of course, despite the attire, Deerstalker is a serious physical undertaking and outdoors challenge – it is important that you also take with you the kit that we describe in the website and in the pre-event mailouts. In this way, certain risks are minimised. Perhaps there is a market for a Tweed bumbag.
1. SleepMonsters Photography 
The best way to redress the nostalgia is to purchase a photo from the excellent PhotoSales system at SleepMonsters. Just follow this link to thousands of photos from several different locations on the running route, for both the 5k and 10k. There will be a picture of you, in there, somewhere. And when you spot a photo of a friend, why not buy it for them as a nice surprise:) If only you could also download that memorable and incessant commentary at the finishline from the day.
2. Rat Race Shop and Juice Almighty 
The Rat Race Adventure Store was there with you at Deerstalker and now they are online too. Their online emporium is now open! To celebrate, all customers will get 10% off all orders FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL and UK postage is totally free!
As well as offering great brands like Inov-8, Skins, and Ron Hill, there are a few DS goodies still available.
For those of you keen to show off your participation at the Mighty Deerstalker 09, there is a very small number of souvenir Tees left - 14 Small, 6 Medium, 3 Large and 2 Extra Large to be precise, so don't hang about.
If you were looking on jealously at fellow Stalkers streaking into the distance because they had a decent head torch, why not upgrade your 'candle in the wind' to an awesome Petzl Myo XP - there are 7 units left at the pre-event price of £49 (SRP £60) plus an extra 10% off! When they're gone they're gone...
And finally there are 22 remaining Deerstalker Peak Buffs up for grabs, priced at £8. If the peak look isn't your cup of tea, we saw a number of competitors just cut the peak off! As Buffs are made from seamless material they shouldn't fall apart after surgery, but no refunds if your handiwork doesn't work out!
Go here to visit the Rat Race Adventure Store
Juice Almighty, Edinburgh
As a Deerstalker special, our friends and fellow ‘Stalkers at Juice Almighty on Castle Street in Edinburgh have done you all a deal. Please print off this email to receive 2 for 1 on any SOUP, SMOOTHIE, BAKED POTATO, STEW, SALAD or WRAP – valid until the end of April.
3. Questionnaire and Complimentary Voucher 
We’d like to know what impact you are having on the local community (in a good way). Please go to the website here and complete our online form. The FIRST 50 COMPETITORS to complete the feedback form will receive a complimentary £5 discount voucher for The Rat Race Store - www.ratracestore.com Vouchers will be emailed back within 5 days of the form being completed and applies to all orders. Vouchers are valid to the end of May 2009 so please get those questionnaire entries in.
4. SleepMonsters Reports
Not only the provider of the very best event photography, SleepMonsters provide some memorable reporting. Go to the Race Reports to read Marty Lee’s and Ross Hendry’s exploits. Bring it all back and smile.
5. In the News
Of course, the local media love the Deerstalker. Take a look at this Daily Record feature by Fiona Russell, who also completed the Mighty Deerstalker; closely trailed by her husband.
6. Social Tweedworking Sites
We know that you are all spanking FaceBook and YouTube with your funny vids and pics. Take a look at these...
7. For Goodness Shakes! offer
20% off For Goodness Shakes! - Britain's No.1 ready-to-drink sports recovery drink.
Created by athletes for athletes, it provides the right 3:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein - including all 9 essential amino acids - for fast recovery after sport. It re-energises, hydrates, feeds and rebuilds fast - helping muscles to repair and grow stronger. Fast recovery helps to reduce post-exercise soreness.
Simply input code 10EVE12 in the FGS online shop promotional code box (http://www.forgoodnessshakes.com/buydirect.aspx) and it will give a 20% discount on recommended retail price.
8. Results
If you completed the route then that is the fundamental and superb result. However, some people race. Here are those truly flighty individuals. Their amazing times are in the results here. Notably, Andy Symonds shaved 14 minutes off his own record, and Kim Threadgall nearly 10 minutes off the women’s record. In the 5k, Edel Mooney stormed the womens Stag to finish 2nd overall.
In the team categories, the winning teams in both races were mixed teams. That’s quality.
5kWomen Stag
1st Edel Mooney
2nd Sue Byrne / Emma Niven (joint)
Men Stag
1st Martin Gore
2nd Billy Mitchell
3rd Paul Reilly
Women Old Stag - Andrea Pogson
Men Old Stag – Graham Capper
Men Bambino – Sam Williamson
womens team - Team Margot
mixed team - Gala Harriers
mens team - 3 Old Farts
10k
Women Stag
1st Kim Threadgall
2nd Fabienne Thompson
3rd Natasha Moir
Men Stag
1st Andy Symonds
2nd Owain Bristow
3rd Darin Dougal
Women Old Stag – Sandra Maxwell
Men Old Stag – Andy Creber
Men Bambino – Timothy Martin
womens team - Bambis on the run
mixed team - Total Meadowbankers
mens team - Heaton Harriers
9. Charity
You will have seen fliers for a lesser known charity, raising funds for those in hardship in rural areas. Please take a look at RSABI and make a contribution where you can. www.rsabi.org.uk
10. Thank Yous
We would like to kindly thank our partners and sponsors; Traquair House, Scottish Borders Council, Forestry Commission 7 Stanes, Rat Race Adventure Store, Inov-8, Petzl, Sea To Summit, Adventure Medical Kits, For Goodness Shakes, Buff, Skins, Bridgedale, Handy Heros and Juice Almighty and able providers on the day; CS Medical, St. Andrew’s Ambulance, George Mathieson Masseur, Car Parking marshals, Event Centre marshals and crew and the FinishLine Chip Timing Systems team of Bruce Kidd and Jim Leach.
The Mighty has spoken.
Till next year folks.
