2017 Ultra Race Information & FAQs · 2018-01-10 · 2017 Highland Fling Ultrarunner Race Information & FAQs 3 Race Briefing 5:45am: Race Briefing for all runners, at the race start

2017 Highland Fling Ultrarunner Race Information & FAQs 1

2017RaceInformation&FAQs

RaceDate:Saturday29thApril2017

FridayRegistration:3:00pm-9:00pmintheBurnbraeInn,Milngavie,G613DQSaturdayRegistration:4:30am-5:45aminMilngavieStationcarpark,G628BX

RaceStart:6:00aminMilngavieStationcarparkCeilidhParty:8:00pmtilllateattheracefinish

RACENUMBERSCANBEFOUNDONTHERACEWEBSITEANDFACEBOOKGROUP

PleasenotethatanychangesyouwanttomaketoyourraceentryMUSTbedoneonline.Ifyouwanttobookacoach seat, change the time of a coach booking, update yourmedical information or change your emergencycontactdetails,youshouldlogintoyourSiEntriesaccount,picktheHighlandFlingfromyourlistofraces,thenEditandSaveyourParticipantDetails.AllchangesMUSTbemadebymidnightonSunday23rdApril.

TheMostImportantStuffPhotographicIDMUSTbeshownatraceregistration

FridayregistrationisinMilngavieONLY-noGlasgowregistrationthisyearEarphoneuseislimitedandearphoneruleswillbeenforcedverystrictly

NosupportcrewsatRowardennancheckpointoranywherebetweenBalmahaandRowardennanNoracetrafficallowedattheBeechTreeInn,Dumgoyne

NoracetrafficallowedanywherebetweenBalmahaandRowardennan

TheRaceRules:Dowhatthemarshalstellyou.Always.Atalltimes.Absolutelynoarguingwiththem!

RacenumbersmustbewornonyourFRONT,andmustbevisibletomarshalsatalltimesWristbandsMUSTNOTberemoveduntilaftertherace

AllrunnersMUSTcarryanemergencyfoilblanketandcharged/switchedonmobilephoneNosupportrunners/pacers.Norunningpoles.Nodogsaccompanyingrunners.Nolittering.

Limitedearphoneuseisallowed.PleasereadfullbriefingfordetailedexplanationofearphonerulesIfamarshalsignalsyoutoremoveearphones,youMUSTdosoimmediately

Ifyoudecidetowithdrawfromtherace,youMUSTletusknowaboutitbeforegoinghomeIFANYTHINGABOUTTHESERULES(ORANYTHINGELSEINTHERACEINFORMATIONANDFAQs)ISNOT100% CLEAR, PLEASE CONTACTUS BEFORE RACEDAY FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATIONAS IT IS YOURRESPONSIBILITYTOFAMILIARISEYOURSELFWITHTHERACERULESWELLINADVANCEOFTHEEVENT.MARSHALSONTHEDAYAREVOLUNTEERSWHOMAYNOTBEAWAREOFEVERYSINGLERULEANDINANYCASEARENOTTHERETOANSWERQUESTIONSYOUSHOULDHAVEASKEDUSBEFORETHERACE!PleasenotethattheRaceDirector'sdecisionsonallmattersregardingracerules,unsportsmanlikeconduct,any

otherarseybehaviourandallaspectsofrunnersafetyareabsolutelyfinal.


RaceWeekendSchedule

Friday3:00pm-9:00pm:RaceRegistration,BurnbraeInn,Milngavie,G613DQSaturday3:45am-CoachleavesTyndrumgoingtotheracestartinMilngavie(mustbebookedinadvance)4:30am-CoachleavesGlasgowwestendgoingtotheracestartinMilngavie(mustbebookedinadvance)4:30am-5:45am:Ultrarunners’raceregistrationatracestart,MilngavieStationcarpark,G628BX4:30am-5:45am:Bringdropbagstoracestartandputintocheckpointvehicles4:30am-5:45am:Bringkitbags(forfinishatTyndrum)toracestartandputintolargetruck5:45am-RaceDirector'sracebriefingforrunners6:00am-Ultramarathonstart.Run53milestoTyndrum5:00pm-Prizegivingatracefinish,ByTheWayHostelandcampsite,Tyndrum,FK208RY6:00pm-10:00pm:CoachesleaveTyndrumforMilngavieeveryhouronthehour(mustbebookedinadvance)8:00pm-11:30pm:TraditionalScottishceilidhpartyinmarqueeattheracefinish(BYOB)10:00pm-LastSaturdaynightC0achleavesforMilngavie(mustbebookedinadvance)Partyanimals-Foranyonewantinganightcap,theTyndrumInnisopenuntil1:00amSunday10:00am-FinalcoachleavesforMilngavie(mustbebookedinadvance)10:00am-Closingceremony(packingupthemarquees)takingplaceattheracefinish.Ifyou’restillinTyndrum,pleasedocomealongandhelpusout:-)

RaceRegistrationFriday28th,3:00pm-9:00pm:TheBurnbraeInn,GlasgowRd,Milngavie,G613DQSaturday29th,4:30am-5:45am:MilngavieStationcarpark,G628BX.Yourregistrationpackwillcontainyourracenumber,yourtimingchipwithstrapwhichMUSTbewornonyourANKLE,andifyouhaverequestedone,yourvehiclesupportpass.Atraceregistrationallrunnerswillberequiredto show photographic ID to collect their race number, and all runners will be fitted with non-transferablewristbandswhichmustnotbe removeduntil after the race.This ismainly for safety reasons, tomake surewehave up-to-date medical information for all runners taking part, but also to ensure all runners comply withScottishAthleticsrulesregardingunofficialnumberswapping.IfarrivingonFriday,pleaseDONOTparkinMilngaviestationcarparkovernight.Thisincludescampervans!

RacedayMorningIf arriving by car, please do NOT attempt to drive into the station car park. There will be traffic marshalscontrollingaccesstothecarparkandyouwillNOTunderanycircumstancebeallowedtobringyourcar in.Forshort-termparkingi.e.supportcrewcars,pleasefollowmarshals'directionsandusetheTescocarpark,whichisright beside the station. (Please note that cars left here after 7:30amwill be fined by Tesco.) If registering onSaturdaymorning,pleaseallowplentyoftimetoarriveandgetparked,asregistrationwillcloseat5:45amsharp.


RaceBriefing

5:45am:RaceBriefingforallrunners,attheracestart.WewillhaveaPAsystemsetupsoyoushouldbeabletohearthebriefingallacrossthecarpark.Werealisethatyou’llprobablybeinthequeuefortheportaloosatthispoint,butpleasetrytolistenincasethereisanyimportantlastminuteinformationthatyoureallyneedtoknow.

RaceStart6:00am:Racestart.Run53milesallthewaytoTyndrum!:-)

CompulsorykitThefollowingitemsmustbecarriedbyallrunnersatalltimes:1.Anemergencyfoilblanket(minimumsize200cmx100cm)2.AfullychargedandswitchedonmobilephoneDon’ttrytobesneakyaboutthis,pleasejustcarrywhatwetellyouto.Marshalsalongtheraceroutedohavetheauthoritytocarryoutrandomkitchecks,sobepreparedtoproduceyourfoilblanketandmobilephoneifasked.Pleasenotethatafoilblanketistheminimumsafetykitthatweinsiston. Ifyouwanttocarrysomethingmoresubstantiallikeabivvybagoranemergencyshelterinstead,thatisabsolutelyfinewithus.

Checkpointsandcut-offs

Checkpoints,distancesandcut-offsareasfollows:Drymen 12.6miles Nocut-off -Balmaha 19.8miles Nocut-off -

Rowardennan 27.2miles 7hrs 1:00pm*Inversnaid 34.54miles Nocut-off -Beinglas 40.9miles 11hrs30mins 5:30pm*

A82roadcrossing* 50-ishmiles 14hrs30mins 8:30pm**Wenotetheracetimewhenthelastrunnercrossesthestartline(usuallyabout5minutes)andaddthistoeachcut-offtime

Thesecut-offsareinplaceforrunnersafetyandwillbestrictlyenforced.Inaddition,ifatanypointduringtheraceourmarshalsor firstaiders thinkyouareunwellorunfit to continue, theymaywithdrawyou fromthe race. Inrealitythisrarelyhappens,sodon’tworryaboutit.However,ifitdoeshappentoyou,nomoaningatthem!Theyare only concerned for your safety and have given up their day to look after you, so be nice to them, even ifthey’repullingyououtoftherace!

DropbagsRunners can have drop bags at Balmaha, Rowardennan, Inversnaid and Beinglas. Drop bags should be clearlylabelledwithname, racenumberandcheckpoint.Wehave to transport 750+dropbags toeachcheckpoint, sopleaserememberthisis‘only’a53mileraceandnotatwomonthpolarexpedition,i.e.dropbagsshouldbesmall,andmust not contain spare shoes or full changes of clothing. Please do NOT bring your drop bags to Fridayregistration,aswewillnotbeacceptingthem.PleasejustbringthemtotheracestartonSaturdaymorning.


RaceSupportYoureallydon’tneedasupportcrewtorunthisrace(that’sthepointofdropbags!)butifyouwantone,youcanhaveone.Youmustpayforavehiclesupportpass(£11,allmoniespassedontolandownersforallowingaccess)andthepassmustbedisplayedinthevehicle’swindscreen.YoucanreceivesupportfromyourcrewatDrymen,Balmaha,Inversnaid*andBeinglas.YoucanONLYreceivesupportfromyourcrewatthesefourcheckpoints,youmustNOTreceivesupportanywhereelsealongtheraceroute. It isYOURresponsibilitytomakesurethatyoursupportcrewareawareoftheseconditions.Ifyoursupportcrewdisobeysupportrules,iftheyparkdangerously,blockpublicroadsordrivewaysorinanywayinconvenienceotherroadusers,youmaybedisqualified.*Formostrunners,itisnotadvisedforsupportcrewstogotoInversnaid.Drivingtoandfromittakesbloodyages.IfyourcrewgoestoInversnaid,theywillalmostcertainlymissyouatBeinglas.PleasenotethatavehiclesupportpassisforONEvehicleonly-runnersarenotallowedtwosupportvehicles!Youcan’tsplityoursupportcrewandhaveonecargoingtoInversnaidandasecondonegoingtoBeinglas.Pickoneortheotherforthemtogoto.Ifyouwantsupportbuthaven'talreadypurchasedavehiclesupportpass,pleasedosoassoonaspossible.

RoutemarkersandNavigationTheraceroutefollowstheWestHighlandWayfootpath.It iswaymarkedwithwoodenmarkerpostsandisveryeasytofollow.Inadditiontothesemarkerpoststherewillbeyellowarrowsalongtherouteatpointswherewethinkextraroutemarkingwouldbehelpful.Youdon’tneedtobeabletonavigateandwedon’taskyoutocarryamapandcompass.Onracedaytherewillbealmost1,000otherrunnerssharingtheroutewithyou,so it’sveryunlikely you’ll get lost. If you’re a navigational fud, you can download the gpx file of the route from the racewebsite.Ifyoupreferapropermap,theHarvey'sWestHighlandWayonecoversthefullraceroute.

EventMedicalCoverTheHighland FlingMedical Team are covering thewhole event andwill be present throughout the day. Racemedicswillbeatthefinish linetoassistanyrunnerswhorequiremedicalattention.OutdoorFirstAidmarshalswill be present at all checkpoints to dealwith cuts and scrapes. However, in the event of any life-threateningemergency,pleasecall999first,thenRaceControl(thisphonenumberwillbeprintedonyourracenumber).Useofpainkillersduringtherace:PleasedoNOT takenon-steroidalanti-inflammatorymedications(NSAIDS)such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or naproxen. Thesemedications are known to stress the kidneys and while theoverall risk is low, theycancontribute to life-threatening issues forultrarunners. If youare sceptical about thisinformation,pleasegoogle ‘ibuprofenandultrarunning’ and readabout the risks yourself. If you reallyneed totakepainkillersduringtherace,pleasetakesomethingelse.

WithdrawalfromtheRaceIfyoudecidetowithdrawfromtheraceyouMUSTinformoneoftheracemarshalsORcall(nottext!)thephonenumberforDNFrunners(thiswillbeprintedonyourracenumber.)Wereallydon’twanttobesendingoutSearch&Rescueteamstogohuntingforyou,especiallyifyou’realreadyathomewithyourfeetup,sopleaseDONOTexittheracewithoutinformingacheckpointmarshalorotherraceofficial!


TheEarphoneRulesOurrulesaboutearphonesareexactlythesameaspreviousyears:-Earphonesoutwhenapproachingcheckpoints,roadcrossings,andmarshalsanywherealongtheroute-Earphonesoutwhenrunningonoralongsideroadsandpavements-Earphonesoutonnarrowsectionsoftrailwhererunnerscan’teasilyovertakeThedifferencethisyear isthatwewillbeenforcingtheserulesverystrictly.Wearefedupofhearingaboutrunners ignoringtheearphonerules, ignoringourmarshals, runningacrossroadsandthroughcheckpointswiththeir earphones in, and holding up runners on narrow sections of trail because they can’t hear other runnersaskingtogetpast.Wearesickofearphonetwatswhothinktherulesdon’tapplytothem!Everyyearwegetcomplaintsaftertheracefromrunnerswhogotstuckbehindsomeonewithearphonesinwhocouldn’thear themasking togetpast.Pleasemakesure this ‘someone’ isn’t you.Pleasedon’tbeanearphonetwat!Andifyougetstuckbehindanearphonetwat,pleasegivethematapontheshoulder/cliproundtheearandpolitelyremindthemoftheearphonerules.Alsorollyoureyesatthemandtutloudly.So…Whenyou’recominguptoaroadcrossing,takeyourearphonesout.Whenyou’reapproachingacheckpoint,takeyourearphonesout.Ifyouseeamarshalwearinghi-vizanywherealongtheraceroute,takeyourearphonesout.Andonanybitoftrailthatisnarrowenoughthatyou’rerunningsinglefile,TAKEYOUREARPHONESOUT!!!Andthatgoesforthoseboneconductingonestoo.Iftheylooklikeearphonesandtheysoundlikeearphones,wearegoingtotreatthemexactlythesameasnormalearphones.Takethemoff.Ourcheckpointandroadcrossingmarshalswillallbeequippedwithwhistles.Iftheyseearunnerwithearphonesin,theywillblowtheirwhistlesandpoint.Everyonewilllookaroundtoseewho’sthetwatwithearphonesin.Ifit’syou,you’llfeellikearighteejit.It’sadeliberatepublicshamingtactic.If you forgetaboutyourearphones, andamarshal signals you to remove them,your coat is alreadyonashooglypegandyouMUSTtakethemoutimmediately.Ifyoutrytoarguethepointaboutyourmusicbeingturned off, your earphones may be confiscated from you until the race finish, and you also risk beingremovedfromtheraceforyourownsafety,i.e.disqualified.Inadditiontothis,after theracewewillbe lookingthroughphotos fromcheckpointsandroadcrossings. Ifweidentifyyouasarepeatoffender,wereservetherighttodisqualifyyouafterthefact.Wewillnottakethiscourseofactionwithoutspeakingtoyoufirst,butifwehavephotosfromseveralcheckpointsorroadcrossingsshowingyouwithyourearphonesin,wewillmostlikelyremoveyoufromtheofficialraceresults.ThiswouldmeanyouwouldnotbeabletouseyourHighlandFlingracefinishasaqualifierforotherraces,andyouwouldnotgetanyUTMBpointsfromuseither.Andyouwouldcauseusawholeloadofhassle,andwewouldsecretly think you’re a total fanny, andwemost likelywouldn’t allow you to enter any of our races again. Sopleasejusttakeyourearphonesoutwhereweaskyouto,eh?

Thankyoufornotbeinganearphonetwat!J


SupportCrewInformation

Newrulefor2017:NOSUPPORTCREWSALLOWEDATROWARDENNANoranywherebetweenBalmahaandRowardennan.RaceSupportcanonlybeprovidedatthefournamedcheckpoints.RaceSupportmustnotbeprovidedtorunnersanywhereelsealongtheraceroute.ThismeanstheBeechTreeInn,theroadthroughGartnessvillage,GaradhbanForestcarpark,thewholeroadbetweenBalmahaandRowardennan,MillarochyBayandSallochyBaycarparks,and theA82 road crossing are all out of bounds. Support crewsMUSTNOTgo to any of these places. This ismainlyforsafetyreasons,tominimisetrafficcongestionontherouteandtominimisedisruptiontolocalresidentsand local businesses. Support crews also MUST NOT stop anywhere along the A82 between Beinglas andTyndrum.(SupportcrewscanparkinCrianlarichandwalkuptothebiggateatthestartofBogleGlentocheertheirrunneron,buttheymustNOTprovideanyfood/drinktotheirrunnerthere.Marshalswillbeinattendance.)Herearethefourcheckpointswheresupportcrewsareallowed,withpostcodesfornavigation:Checkpoint Location Postcode TotalracedistanceDrymen by‘TheOldSchool’B&B G630BW 12.6milesBalmaha Balmahacarpark G630JQ 19.8milesInversnaid* TheInversnaidHotel FK83TU 34.4milesBeinglas BeinglasFarmcampsite G837DX 40.9milesWerecommendthatsupportcrewsonlymeettheirrunneratBalmahaandBeinglas.Thesecheckpointsareeasytoaccessandhavegoodsizedcarparks.WestronglysuggestthatsupportcrewsdoNOTattempttomeettheirrunneratDrymenorInversnaid.Drymenisasmallvillage, ithas limitedparkingfacilities,andasthe first relaychangeoverpoint itwillbeextremelybusy.Parkingwillbedifficultandyourcrewmayendupstuckinatrafficjam.Inversnaidisinaveryremotelocationandyourcrewwillfinditalmostimpossibletogettoandfromthereintimetomeetyou.Ifyou’renotsurewhatwemean,havealookataroadmap.FromInversnaidtoBeinglasonthetrailisjust6.5milesforrunners,butbycaritis60+miles,muchofitonverynarrowsingletrackroads.AllrunnerscanhavedropbagsatRowardennanandInversnaid,eventhosewithsupportcrews.

SpectatorInformationNew for 2017: NO RACE TRAFFIC AT THE BEECH TREE INN, ANYWHEREBETWEENBALMAHA&ROWARDENNAN,ORATTHEA82ROADCROSSINGWeareimposingtheserestrictionsonspectatorparkingduetoseverecongestiononnarrowroadscausingroadsafetyissuesaswellasproblemsforlocalresidentsandlocalbusinessesonraceday.Becauseofthis,wehavetoinsistthatspectatorsdonotvisittheabovelocations.Pleasedonotjeopardisethefutureoftheracebyignoringthis!Onraceday,marshalswillbecontrollingtrafficattheBeechTreeInnandatBalmahacarpark.Pleasemaketheir job easy and complywith their instructions. The best places to spectate are aroundBalmaha checkpointitselfandintheforestaboveCrianlarich,asthereisamplecarparkingatbothlocations.AbsolutelyNOSPECTATORPARKINGisallowedattheDroversInn,Inverarnan.Thiswillbeenforcedbyracemarshalsandpolice,whowillbeinattendancethroughouttheday.


TheRaceFinish

Ourracefinishisprettyspecial.Wereallyrollouttheredcarpetforourrunners.Literally!Aswellasyourmedal,raceshirtandgoodybag,thefollowingtreatsareavailableforallrunnerscompletelyFREEofcharge:Homemadesoupandrolls-courtesyofMattandEnaDuncan(MumandDadFling)Bakedpotatoes-courtesyofAlbertBartlettandTheRealFoodCafeIcecream-courtesyofMackiesandTheRealFoodCafeHeatedmarqueetorelaxinUnlimitedteaandfreshlybrewedcoffeeforallrunners.(Theremightevenbebeertoo!)Hotshowers(pleasebringyourowntowelandtoiletries)Post-racemassageTheRealFoodCafeareputtingonaBBQandwillbesellingfabulousburgersandothertastychargrilleddelights.Therewillbefirstaid/medicalassistanceavailableatthefinishforanyrunnerwhorequiresit.RacesponsorsBetaRunning,LyonOutdoorsandScottishultrarunningspecialiststoreRunandBecomewillhavestallsatthefinish,withgearfromUltimateDirection,Injinji,LaSportivaandPetzl,aswellasTailwindNutritionandothersuppliersofvariousfancypantsrunningaccoutrements.

FlingBling

TherewillalsobetheFlingmerchandisetentwhererunnerswillbeabletopurchaseavarietyofourtopqualityand highly admired ‘Highland Fling’ race hoodies, gilets, kids hoodies, buffs, vests, cowbells, pants, socks,jockstraps(okay,perhapsnotjockstraps,butifwegetenoughrequests,maybein2018…)Pleasebringcashasthepatchy3GmobilesignalinTyndrummeansourcardmachineusuallydoesn’twork.

PrizesandTrophies:Theprizegivingwilltakeplaceattheracefinishatapproximately5:00pm.Wewilltrytonotifyouragecategorywinnersbymobilephonebeforehand.Ifyou’vewonsomethingbutyoureallycan’tstayuntilprizegiving,pleasepopintotheRaceControltentandletusknow,andwewilltrytogiveyouyourtrophytotakehomewithyou.Trophieswillbeawardedto:1st,2ndand3rdoverallmaleandfemale1st,2ndand3rdVet40maleandfemale1st,2ndand3rdVet50maleandfemale1st,2ndand3rdVet60maleandfemale1stmaleclub-theclubwiththethreefastestmalefinishers1stfemaleclub-theclubwiththethreefastestfemalefinishersMurdoMacDonaldCup(previouslytheCoorsCup)-awardedtotheclubwiththehighestnumberoffinishersLuxuryScottishHamper-awardedtothewinneroftheBalmahaDropBagcompetition


SaturdayEveningCeilidhParty

Sameaspreviousyears, therewillbea traditionalScottishceilidhparty in themarqueesat the finish line from8:00pm until about 11:30pm.No tickets required - entry is free. Everyone is invited: runners, friends, families,supportersandofcoursemarshals.Hotfoodwillbeavailablefromapproximately9:30pm.ThisyearthereWON’Tbeanofficialbarintheevening,sopleaseBYOB.Theceilidhisaprivatepartyonprivatepropertyandchildrenareverywelcometoattend.

LastMinuteInformationPleasemakesurethattheemailaddressyouprovidedonyourSiEntriesaccountiscorrect,andcanbeaccessedrightupuntilthenightbeforetherace.PleasealsojointheHighlandFlingRaceFacebookgroup.Anyunforeseenlastminutechangesweneedtomakewillbepostedinthegroupaswellasemailedouttoallrunners.

LostpropertyWewill doour best to reunite any lost propertywith its rightful owner, howeverwe can’t guarantee this. Anyitemsfoundatcheckpointswillbetakentothefinishafterthecheckpointshaveclosed.Forstuff leftbehindatBeinglas thiscouldbewellafter7:00pmsopleasedon'tpesterourmarshalsabout lostpropertybefore then. Ifyoucan'twaituntilthattimetogetitback,pleasejustmakesureyoudon'tleaveitbehindinthefirstplace.Attheracefinish,anylostpropertyitemswillbeputundera‘LOSTPROPERTY”signbesidealltheultrarunners'kitbags.(HighvaluelostpropertyitemswillbelookedafterbyamemberoftheFlingRaceTeam-pleasecomeandaskatthemerchandisetent.)AnythingnotclaimedbytheendofracedaywillbetakenbacktoFlingHQsoemailteam@highlandflingrace.orgifyourealiselaterthatyoulostsomethingimportantattherace.Pleasenotethatwedonotclasspantsandsocksas‘somethingimportant’,especiallygrubbyonesleftbehindontheshowerfloor.Dittomankyshoesditchedatcheckpoints.

Lastly...Accessibility and inclusivity:Wewant asmanypeople as possible to be able to take part in our race andourceilidhparty,andtofeelaswelcomeaspossible.Tothatend,alleventportaloosandshowersaregenderneutralandthereisaproperlywheelchair-accessible-with-enough-room-for-carerstoiletandshowerattheracefinish.Ifthereisanythingwecandotomakeyouoranyofyourfriendsandfamilyfeelmorewelcome,orifyouhaveanysuggestionsyouwould liketomakeinthisregard,please justemailusandwewilldoourabsolutebesttohelpyouout:team@highlandflingrace.org.WeareproudsignatoriesoftheScottishLGBTSportsCharterandarefullycommittedtoupholdingallofitsprinciples.


FAQsGeneralStuff:CanIhavesomebasicinformationabouttheraceplease?TheFlingstarted in2006asa lowkeytrainingrunfortheWestHighlandWayrace,withfewerthan20runnerstakingpart.Sincethen ithasgrownandgrown,andthisyear, its12thanniversary, therewillbeapproximately1000runnerstakingpart.TheracestartsinMilngavie,ontheoutskirtsofGlasgow,thenrapidlyheadsoutintothecountryside.ItgoesthroughDrymenandoverConicHilltoBalmaha,thenfollowstheeastsideofLochLomondup past Rowardennan, skirting Ben Lomond, the most southerly of all Scotland's Munros. Further on up thelochsideistheremoteInversnaidHotel,thenthepathcarriesonpasttheheadofthelochandupwardsthroughthe'rollercoaster'forestaboveCrianlarichtofinishintheprettyHighlandvillageofTyndrum.Whoorganisestheevent?TheraceisorganisedbyJohnDuncan(betterknownasJohnnyFling!)andisrunasanon-profitevent.Johngetsalotofhelp fromotherpeoplewhoalsogiveup their time for free.Noonegetspaidanything for their timeorexpenses-notevenJohn!-andeverypennyofentryfeesisputtowardseventexpenditurewiththeaimofgivingrunners the best race experience and best value for money possible. On race day, there will be around 200membersoftheFlingTeamgivinguptheirtimetohelpout.Manywillspendmoreoftheirownmoneyonfuelandaccommodationthanrunnersspendontheirraceentryfeesopleaseremembertothankthemwhenyourunpastandbeverynicetothematalltimes.Whoaretheracesponsors?TheHighlandFlingissponsoredandsupportedbyanumberoforganisationsandcompanieswhoallcontributetoandhelptheeventalot.RacesponsorsareRunandBecome,BetaRunning,UltimateDirection,Injinji,TailwindNutritionUK,LyonOutdoors,LaSportiva,Petzl,andtheRealFoodCafe.SupportersoftheraceweekendareByTheWayHostelandCampsite,AlbertBartlett,Mackies, InnisandGunnBrewery, theBurnbrae Inn,StrathfillanCommunity Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland, Police Scotland, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs NationalPark,EastDunbartshireCouncil,StirlingCouncil,andArgyll1st.Whatistheterrainlike?Theroute is90%off-roadwith justa fewshortsectionsontarmac.Theoff-roadsectionsareamixtureofwidelandrovertracks,flatrailwaylines,toughuphillslogs,manicuredpaths,shinglebeaches,roughstonesteps,prettyforesttrailsandfairlydemandingtechnicalscrambles.ThereisalsotheinfamousCowPooAlleyafewmilesnorthofBeinglascheckpointtobenegotiated.Theracerouteincludes2300metres(7500feet)ofascent.ShouldIbeplanningtowearroadshoesortrailshoes?Eitherwouldbeokay.Mostofthepathsareverygoodandunlessit'sbeenrainingforthewholeweekbeforetherace,it'snotlikelytobetoomuddyunderfoot.ApartfromCowPooAlley,whereyoucouldsinkkneedeepatanytime.Basically,whateveryounormallyrunoff-roadinwillbefine.DoestheFlinghaveUTMBpoints?Yes.TheHighlandFlinghasbeenclassedbyITRAasafourpointqualifierforthe2018-2019UTMB.


PreRaceStuff:I'manewbietoultras,whatarethesedropbagsallabout?Dropbagsallowrunnerstotakepartinlongraceswithouttheneedforsupportcrewsandwithouthavingtocarrysuppliesthewholeway.AdropbagisaSMALLsecureparcelwithfood/drinkinitandawaterprooflabelwithyourname,racenumber,andthecheckpointthatyouwant it takentostuckontheoutside.Atthestartoftheracethere are vehicles with the names of each checkpoint on them that you put your drop bags in, and they aretransportedtothecheckpointsforyoutocollectwhenyouarrivethere.Aswellasfoodanddrink,youmightwantto have stuff like blister plasters, painkillers, a fresh pair of socks at halfway. Generally, drop bags aren't foranythingofvalueoranythingyoureallyreallyneedtogetback,assometimes(veryrarely)theygomissing.DidIhearsomethingaboutadropbagcompetition?Ohyesyoucertainlydid!ThisisacompetitionheldatBalmahacheckpoint,forthemostfabulouslydesignedanddecorateddropbag.Youcanbeasinventiveasyoulike,butpleaseremembertoputyournameandracenumberonyourdropbag.Sizeguideline:yourdropbagshouldbenolargerthananaverageshoebox.TheprizeisaluxuryhamperofScottishgoodiesworthover£100:-)Isanythingsentouttomebypost?No.Allpre-racecommunicationsaresentviaemail.Racenumbersetcarecollectedatregistration.WhatshouldIdoifanyofmydetailshavechangedsinceIentered?Ifyouneedtochangeanydetails, thismustbedoneonline.Log intoSiEntries, select theHighlandFling fromyourlistofracesentered,theneditandsaveyourParticipantDetails.ThiscanbedonerightupuntilmidnightonSunday23thApril.Pleaseensurewehavecorrectmedicalinformationandemergencycontactdetails.Alsopleasemake sure that themobilephonenumber youhavegivenus is definitely thatof themobilephoneyouwill becarryingduringtherace!Iwon’tbeabletotakepartnow,canIhavearefundofmyentryfee?Sorry,no,thefinaldateforobtainingarefundhasnowpassed.Similarly,nodeferralsarepossible.CanItransfermyraceplacetosomeoneelse?Sorry,no,this isn’tpossibleeither.Wedon’toperateawaiting listandyoucan’ttransferyourplacetoafriend.Andpleasedonotunofficiallypassyourracenumberontosomeoneelse-itisstrictlyagainstScottishAthleticsrulesandcouldseebothyouandtheotherrunnerbeingbarredfromfutureraces.IaskedaquestionontheFacebookgroup;whydidn'tIgetanansweryet?Sorryaboutthat!TheFacebookgroupisreallymostlyintendedforFlingrunnerstoshareinformationwitheachother. Important questions will often get lost in amongst all the gossip. If you want to ask anything 'official',pleaseemailtheFlingteamdirectly:[email protected]

ParkingandTransportStuff:Wheredothecoachestotheracestartleavefrom?The3:45amTyndrumcoachleavesfromtheTyndrumVisitorCentrecarpark:FK208RYThe4:30amGlasgowwestendcoachleavesfromKelvingroveMuseumandArtGallery:G38AG


WhereaboutsinMilngaviecanIparkmycaronraceday?For free long term parking on raceweekend please use theWest of Scotland Rugby Football Club’s car park:GlasgowRd,Milngavie,G626AQ.It'saboutatenminutewalkfromheretotheracestart.Pleasenotethatcarsparkedherearenot the responsibilityof theWestofScotlandRugbyFootballClubandare left entirelyat theowner’srisk.Ifyoudonotacceptthisdisclaimer,pleasearrangetoparkelsewhere.PleasedonotplantoleaveyourcarinMilngavietrainstationcarpark.Therewillbetrafficmarshalscontrollingaccesstothecarparkandyouwillnotunderanycircumstancebeallowedtobringyourcarin.Fordroppingoffattheracestartandshorttermparking(i.e.supportcrews),pleaseusetheTescocarparkrightbesideMilngavietrainstation.Pleasenotethatanycarslefthereafter7:30amwillbeclampedbyTesco.CanIhaveabagtransportedfromthestarttothefinish?Yes.Inthecarparkatthestartoftheracetherewillbealargetrucktakingkitbagstothefinish.Pleaseattachtheprovidedtearoffbaggagelabel(onthebottomofyourracenumber)toyourbag.Reasonablesizerucksacksorkitbagsonlyplease;nohugesuitcases!Ifyouwithdrawfromtheraceforanyreason,wewillgetyourfinishlinekitbagreturnedtoyou,butthismaytakeat leastaweek. Ifyourcar isparkedinMilngavie,youshouldcarryyourkeyswithyourather thanput them inyourbag for the race finish. Ifyouwithdrawfromtheraceearlyon,youdon'twantyourcarkeystobeinTyndrumwhileyouareheadingbacktoMilngavie!WherecansupportcrewsparkatthefinishinTyndrum?Support crews (and all other vehicles) should try to use the visitor centre car park in the centre of the village.Runnerswithsupportcrewspleasenote:AsupportpassdoesNOTgrantvehicleaccesstothefinisharea,toByTheWay Hostel and Campsite, or to Lower Station Road. Vehicle access to Lower Station Road is verylimitedandwillbecontrolledbyracemarshalsthroughouttheday.Pleasefollowracesignageandobeymarshals’instructionsatalltimes.Wherewillthecoachesleavefromatthefinish?AllcoacheswillleavefromtheendofLowerStationRoad(walkoutofByTheWaycampsiteandheadfortheA82mainroad).Marshalswithlistsofnameswillbecheckingrunnersontoeachcoach.CanIcatchadifferentcoachontheday?Ifyoufinishearlierorlaterthanyouexpectedandyouwouldliketotravelonadifferentcoachthantheoneyouhavebooked,thismaybepossiblebutcannotbeguaranteed.Forenquiriesaboutchangingyourcoachbooking,pleasecometothebluemerchandisetentattheracefinishandaskoneofthemarshalsondutythere.Ifwecanconfirma change for you,wewill. Ifwe can't,wewill ask you togoand speaknicely to themarshalswhoarecheckingrunnersontothecoaches.Chancesaretherewillbeaspareseatandwe’llbeabletosqueezeyouon,butyou’llbeaskedtowaituntilall the runnerswithconfirmedbookingshaveboarded.Samegoes ifyoudon’thaveabookingatall-youcanpaycashonthedaybutfolkwithpre-bookedseatswillbeprioritised.CanIpaycashonthedayforacoachseat?Yes,ifthereareseatsavailable.Priorityisobviouslygiventothosewithadvancedbookingsbutifyourtravelplanshavechangedunexpectedlywe’lldoourbesttofindaseatforyou.IstherepublictransportbacktoGlasgow?OnSaturdayafternoon,trainsforGlasgowdepartTyndrumLowerstationjustafter5:10pmandTyndrumUpperstation justafter7:10pm.AdvancebookingwithScotrail isadvised.Ticketsare£20.40.Abusdeparts from justopposite the Pine Trees campsite for Glasgow at 8:25pm. This is the last public transport available that day.AdvancebookingwithCitylinkisadvised.Ticketsare£18.00.


RaceStuff:Canafriendregisterforme?No.RunnersMUSTpickuptheirownracenumber.Noexceptions!Pleasenote:Atraceregistration,allrunnerswillberequiredtoshowphotographicIDtocollecttheirracenumber,andallrunnerswillbefittedwithnon-transferablewristbandswhichmustnotberemoveduntilaftertheevent.Sowhatexactlyhappensattheracestart?Toavoidcongestiononthetrailinthefirstcoupleofmileswewillbesettingrunnersoffinwaves.Ifyou'veeverrunabigcitymarathonyou'llknowhowitworks,butifnot,basicallywe'llbeaskingyoualltoestimateyourfinishtimesandassembleinpensbasedonthosetimes,probablysub10hrs,10-12hrsand12+hrs,andwe'llbesettingyouoffinwavesaminuteorsoapart.Don'tworryabouttheextratimeit'lltakeyoutogetacrossthestartline,your timing chipmeans your race timewon’t start recordinguntil you cross the start line. For theoverall racewinnerswewillbeusingguntimenotchiptime,soifyou'reexpectingtobesuperspeedy,makesureyousetoffinthefirstwave.Femalerunnersexpectingasub10hrfinishshouldalsomakesuretosetoffinthefirstwave.SohowdoIestimatemyfinishingtime?Ifyou'vetrainedproperlyforthedistanceandtheterrain,wereckonroughly3xyourcurrentroadmarathontime.Thisisjustaroughestimateandwon'tbeaccurateforeverybody,butitworksoutprettywellforalotofpeople.Whatisprovidedatcheckpoints?Theeventprovidesonlywateratcheckpoints.Wedonotprovideenergydrinksorsolidfoodhoweveranyitemsleftover from thedropbagsof faster runnerswill be laidouton tables.Usually there is a randomselectionofsweetandsavourynibblesavailableateachcheckpointhoweverthisshouldnotbereliedon.Atthecheckpoints,whatallisavailablewhere?Location Distance Water Dropbags Toilets SupportCrewsDrymen 12.6 Yes No Portaloos YesBalmaha 19.8 Yes Yes Portaloos YesRowardennan 27.2 Yes Yes Publicloos NOInversnaid 34.5 Yes Yes Portaloos NotAdvised*Beinglas 40.9 Yes Yes Portaloos Yes*ItisnotadvisedforsupportcrewstogotoInversnaidasdrivingtoandfromittakesbloodyagesandcrewscouldeasilymissrunners!

Waterisavailableatmanyotherpointsalongtheraceroute-thereareavarietyofhonestyshops,outsidetaps,andwildwatersourcesthataresafetodrinkfrom(withtheusualprovisoofcheckingimmediatelyupstreamforrottingsheepcarcasses…)WillIgetbackanyofthestufffrommydropbags?No.Whenyouleaveacheckpoint,anyunusedfood,drink,blisterplastersetcwillbeputoutforlaterrunnerstohelpthemselvesto. Ifyouwanttoputfreshsocks intoadropbagthat'sfine,but ifyouleaveyoursweatyonesbehindthey'llbebinned.Basically,ifyouleaveitatacheckpoint,youwon’tgetitback.Soifyouwanttochangeshoesmid-race,getyourselfasupportcrew.WewillNOTtransportgrubbyshoestotheracefinishforyou!Canmyfriendsandfamilyfollowmyprogressonline?Yes.TherewillbelivetrackingontheracewebsiteandrunnerscanalsochoosetohaveFacebookupdatespostedontheirwall.FulldetailswillbeavailableonthewebsiteandtheFacebookgroupsoonsopleasekeepaneyeoutfortheannouncement.


Aretheretoiletsalongtheroute?Yes.ThereareeitherportaloosorpublictoiletsatallcheckpointsandalsotherearepublictoiletsatMilarrochyBaycarpark (22miles)andSallochyBaycarpark (25miles). Ifyoureallyneedtogotothetoiletbetweentheselocations,pleasemovewelloffthetrailanddoyourbesttomakesurenoonecanseeyou-especiallythegeneralpublicandlocalresidents!WhatshouldIdowithmylitter?YouMUSTcarryitwithyoutillyoureachabin!YouabsolutelyMUSTNOTdropanylitteronthetrail!Pleaseuse the official big red FLING DUSTBINS which will be located a hundred yards or so before and after eachcheckpoint.Ifyouseearunnerdroppinglitterpleaseaskthemtopickitup.Ifyouspotanyracelitteronthetrail,e.g.gelwrappers,pleasepickitupandbinitatthenextcheckpoint.WhodoIaskifI’vegotaquestionduringtheevent?Therewillbearound200FlingTeammarshalsandhelperswhoaretheretolookafterallyourunners.TheywillallbewearingeventhoodiesandRaceTeamIDbadges,andalsohi-vizvestsatcheckpointsandroadcrossings. Ifyouhaveaquestionorneedhelpwithanything,pleasejustaskoneofthem.Willtherebeanymassageservicesavailableatcheckpoints?Yes.TherewillbetwosportsmassagetherapistsatRowardennancheckpoint(27miles)whowilldotheirbesttohelpyouwithanymid-raceniggles.What'sthenicestwaytogetpastslowerrunners?Ifyouwanttoovertakeaslowerrunneronanarrowsectionoftrail,askpolitely!Saypleaseandthankyou.Offersomeencouragementtothem.Don’tjustshout"Comingthrough!"andhammerpast.That’sextremelyarsey.Istherouteopentothegeneralpublic?Yes,sopleasebepolitetoeveryoneyoupass,notjustotherrunners.Sayhello.Don'tgetannoyedifyouhavetoslowdownforsmallchildrenordogs.Theyhaveabsolutelyasmuchrightasyoudotobethere!Ifyou'retryingtopasswalkersonnarrowsectionsoftrail,afriendly"Excusemeplease"willworkalotbetterthanshouting"Runnercomingthrough,"whichisaswejustsaidextremelyarsey.Whataretherulesaboutgates?Ifyoupassthroughanopengate,leaveitopen.Ifthegateisclosed,pleasecloseitbehindyou.Ifanotherrunneriscomingupbehindyou,it’spolitetowaitasecondandholdthegateopenforthemratherthanjustletitslamshut.

RaceRulesandSafetyStuff:DoIreallyhavetocarryafoilblanketandmobilephone?Yes.Yes,youreallydo.Pleasejustmakethingseasyforusandcomplywiththekitrules.Afoilblanketandmobilephonecouldsaveyour-orsomeoneelse’s-lifeinanemergency.Youmaybekitcheckedatanypointintherace.Aresupportrunners/pacersallowed?No.Absolutelynosupportrunners/pacersareallowedonthetrail.Allrunnersmustdisplaytheirracenumberandwristbandclearlyatalltimes.Anyrunnerwhoappearstobeaccompaniedbyanotherrunnernotdisplayingaracenumberorwristbandwillbestoppedandquestionedbymarshals,andmaybewithdrawnfromtheevent.


WhyareyousayingsupportcrewsareallowedatInversnaid,butadvisingthemnottogothere?Sorryifthisisabitconfusing!SupportcrewsareallowedatInversnaidandwe’rehappyforthemtogothere,it’sjustthatforallbuttheslowestrunners,itwon’tbephysicallypossibleforasupportcrewtodrivefromInversnaidtoBeinglas in time tomeet the runner they’re supporting. It’s 6.5milesby trail but 60+milesby road.Andastrafficcongestionontherouteisarealissuefortheevent,wehavetoinsistthatrunnersDONOTaskasecondcartojoininthesupportcrewduties.Avehiclesupportpassisforonevehicleonly.Runnerscannothavetwosupportvehicles.Sofor runnersexpectingtofinishunder14hours,youhavetochoosewhetheryouwantyoursupportcrewtogotoInversnaidortoBeinglas,astheyalmostcertainlywon’tbeabletodoboth.Marshals at Inversnaid will be checking support vehicle passes and looking out for runners disobeying theseinstructions.SpectatorswithoutsupportvehiclepassesareallowedatInversnaid,buttheymustnotbethereforthepurposeofprovidingracesupporttoindividualrunners.Wethinkthedifferenceisprettyclear,butifyoudon’tunderstandit,pleaseemailusandaskandwe’llbehappytosortoutanyconfusion.WhatshouldIdoifIcomeacrossaninjuredrunner?YouabsolutelyMUSTstopand try tohelp. It is very important thatweall lookaftereachotherout there! If arunner isseriously injuredthenpleasecall999first,andaskforPOLICEandMOUNTAINRESCUE,thenRaceControl (this phonenumberwill be on your race number.) If youhave no phone signal pleasewait till anotherrunnerarrivestoassistthenrunonuntilyougetasignal.Iftherunnercan’tmoveandisgettingcoldpleaseuseyourownandotherrunners’emergencyfoilblanketstokeeptheinjuredrunnerwarm.WhatshouldIdoifIgetlost?Ifyourealiseyouhavegonewrongsomewhere,youshouldturnaroundandretraceyourstepsuntilyougetbackontotheraceroute.Onceyou’rebackatthepointwhereyouwentwrong,you’llprobablybeabletoseewhatthecorrectwayactuallyis.PleasedonotphoneRaceControlaskingfordirections,aswewillbeunabletohelpyou.WhyistheRaceControlphonenumberprintedonmyracenumberthen?This issoyoucancontactus intheeventofaseriousaccidentorasituationthatrequiresoururgentattention.Pleasethinkofitastheequivalentof999,andonlycallitinanemergency.WhathappensifI’mtimedout,orifIdecidetowithdrawfromtherace?Ifyouwithdrawfromtheraceatoneofthecheckpoints,pleaseletamarshalknowyouarestopping,andmakesureyougivethemyourname,yourracenumber,andalsoyourtimingchip.Ifyoudecidetowithdrawfromtheracebetweencheckpointsandhaveyoursupportcrewpickyouupsomewhere,pleasephonethenumberforDNFrunners(thisphonenumberwillbeonyourracenumber)andletusknowyou'reokay.PleaseDONOTsimplyexittheraceandgohomewithyoursupportcrewwithouttellinganyone.Ifyouwithdrawfromthe race,andyoudon'thaveasupportcrew,sweepervehiclesateachcheckpointwillbeabletodriveyouontothefinishatTyndrum,orbacktothestartatMilngavie.Thismaybesometimeafterthecheckpointfinallycloseshowever,soyoucouldhaveawaitofseveralhours.PleaserememberthatmarshalsareNOTtaxidrivers,sodon'tpesterthemabouthowlongyou'vebeenwaiting.TherewillbeOutdoorFirstAidersateverycheckpoint,somakeyourselfknowntothemandthey'lltakecareofyouuntilthecheckpointcloses.Makesureyoudon’tgetcoldwhileyou’rewaiting-putonanyextraclothesyou’recarryinginyourpack,asknicely ifyoucansitinsideamarshal’scaranduseyourfoilblankettokeepwarmifyouhaveto.


AnotefromtheEventMedicalTeam:The Highland FlingMedical Team do not sanction anyone as ‘fit to run’; insteadwewant to be aware of ourrunners'historyinordertobeaswellpreparedforemergenciesaspossible.Weprovidefirstaidfacilitiesonly,inaremote environment, and we cannot cover all eventualities. All runners should consider their own fitness toparticipate and should, if they have any concerns, discuss with their GP or specialist before participating.Wewouldlikeyoutosharethosediscussionswithuspriortotheevent,sothatwearebestprepared.Anyinformationprovidedtous is treatedwith theutmostconfidentiality, isnotsharedoutsideof themedical teamandwillbedestroyedsecurelyaftertheevent.Weprideourselvesonourrigidinformationsecurity.Itisveryimportantthatallrunnersprovideuswithuptodatemedicalinformation.Ifyouhaveasthma,highbloodpressure,diabetes,epilepsy,anyformofheartcondition,anyotherconditionyouhavebeendiagnosedwiththatmightaffectyourabilitytosafelyparticipate intherace,anyconditionyouarecurrentlytakingmedicationfor,thenWENEEDTOKNOWABOUT IT! To update yourmedical information, log into your Si Entries account,select the Highland Fling from your list of races, then Edit and Save your Participant Details. Full medicalinformation must be submitted online by midnight on Sunday 23rd April. If you experience last minutechangestoanymedicalconditionsorprescribedmedicationsafter23rdApril,youmustletusknowviaemail.Any runner who would like to discuss anything with our medical team before the event should [email protected].

Documents

2017 Ultra Race Information & FAQs · 2018-01-10 · 2017 Highland Fling Ultrarunner Race Information & FAQs 3 Race Briefing 5:45am: Race Briefing for all runners, at the race start