Hi Alan,
Sorry as I said in my twitter message I am really not much of a blogger but wanted to give you some information on the Race to the Stones. This is a point to point and I would be lying if said it is all perfect picturesque scenery with single track all the way. I definitely like feel of a journey with a point to point rather than a loop but it obviously has some logistical issues.
The race:
The race started in Chinnor which is a small english town. I didn’t stay there and just arrived in the morning. As it is a small town traffic was an issue with the increased numbers but as I was about to run 100km I thought walking the 1 km to the start was not really an issue.
The weather in the UK was very good (no rain for a few weeks) up to the day before and then the heavens opened. The first 20+km if lovely through the woods and little tracks but you certainly need some grip on the mud if it has been wet. The scenery is lovely and there is plenty of cover.
I do not really remember pitstop 1 (10km) but it would have had the usual stuff.
Pitstop 2 (20km) had sandwiches which I hit around 10:30. I asked one of the helpers about the next stop that would have lunch/dinner and he said pitstop 7 and that I should take an extra one. This was a mistake as I just carried stuff I did not need.
Pitstops 3 (30km) and 4 (40 ish km) were a bit of a blur but I know that at these they started serving cups of tea (or coffee I guess)
Pitstop 5 (half way markish 49km) - Soup or Spaghetti bolognese plus usual threats and obviously tea. If your diet is specific it might be worth checking what alternatives they have.
Pitstop 6 62km - Although only 13km between pit stops this was a tough one. Hilly, no shade, hot and humid. I ran out of water (only one 750ml bottle) after about 8 or 9 km. I would definitely pack a compressible water container next time for the longer sections. Normally 750ml is fine for 10km.
Pit stop 7 (71km) was shorter and was fine as far as I remember but more like disused road. Some of these parts would be tough on bare feet. I have no doubt they could be done but most barefoot runners I saw had sandals.
Pit stop 8. This is where it went wrong for me. Too much walking up hill took it’s toll on the ligaments in the front of me ankles. I did not realize the walking was the cause so tried to walk more which made it actually worse. There was also more road-ish parts at this stage. great pit stop with fantastic tea and AC/DC music and the most amazing porridge I have ever tasted.
pitstop 9 (89km): probably the painkillers kicked in but I ran this section in about 40 minutes. It was dark and single track but great fun.
Last 11km. in the dark the track was pretty unrunnable for all but the last 3km. As I had to walk my ankles were crippling but the next help was at the finish.
Why I plan to run over 2 days next year:
- l liked the social aspect of the run and like the idea of chatting to people at the overnight basecamp. It does not necessarily mean running all the way with the same people but it is nice to catch up with people during teh day.
- I was so tired I did not appreciate all the landmarks in the second half. I would like to have spent more time at places like the smithy. I was probably one of the only people to take the time to visit it in the 100km non-stop group
- The finish could not have come quickly enough. To be honest this was agony and I did not appreciate the standing stones but it probably did not help that it was night time.
- I would have loved to been in te right frame of mind to chill out at the finish and clap people through.
- My hotel fell through so I slept in one of their 20 Emergency tents for people who planned to drive afterwards but couldn’t etc… as there was no reception which I discovered after getting settled in my tent. I could not tell my wife I had finished. She worried and I got in trouble. Hence banned from 100km non-stop for the time being.
- I like to run. I think I can do that more over two days.
Compulsory Kit
- Issued map of the route with emergency contact details - Route is really well marked so ditch it. As a souvenir there are some available at the end
- Sun cream - Brought it. Glad I did.
- Waterproof jacket (recommend lightweight) - Brought it. Glad I did.
- Warm top - unless the weather is bad do not bother. The jacket is enough.
- A fully charged mobile phone with your emergency contact saved under NOK (next of kin) - Brought it.
- At least 750ml Water - definitely some sections between pit stops are 13-14km exposed and are 29C. It also can be very humid. There are no electrolite drinks on route only salt to add to drinks. I would recommend taking a few tablets.
- Emergency food (e.g. cereal bars, chocolate, fruit and nut, sweets) - lots along the route. I carried too many. There are sandwiches at pitstop 2 and 7 plus soup and spagetti ar 50km. I carried too much spare food.
- Head torch and spare batteries (100km Non-Stop only). for the 100km full stop you definitely need the head torch. Probably not needed otherwise.
What else I brought and was glad I did:
- Lots of spare socks
- Emergency space blanket
- Camera
Recommended Personal First Aid Kit:
- Paracetamol - every pitstop has medics. Although I did bring some
- Ibuprofen - every pitstop has medics.
- Fabric plasters - every pitstop has medics.
- Petroleum jelly, eg. Vaseline - every pitstop has medics. I did bring body glide
- Blister fabric, eg. RockTape/ Compeed - when I needed tape they had run out. Luckily I brought my own zinc tape
- Alcohol hand gel (for clean hands as well as cleaning small wounds) - I did bring some antiseptic wipes
- Antihistamine tablets/eye drops if you get hay fever - I do not have hay fever but lots of grass and pollen.
