Frequently asked questions about

This is a new service - questions (white) and answers (yellow) are being added

Race Distance:

I have heard that next year's Ultra trail Mt Blanc will require an 80k+ qualifying trail run (or 2 x 50k+ events), and that yours was one of the few events that would count in time for registration in the new year. If so, then you will be awash with fast fell running nutters. [will you notice?]

We increased length from 76 to 81 km for the benefit of walkers, as 50 miles corresponds to a qualification event for the walker's Centurion walk, and there are not many other opportunities for qualification between September and entry date (e.g. if injured in summer). Interesting it also applies for European walks. I guess there will be some elite runners (male and female), long distance rather than fell runners, but also a larger number of steady long distance peeps, running and walking.  And don't be dismissive of the walkers - they crack on at a pace that is faster than a regular runner can't walk (if you get my drift)    

Sleeping:

I posted an application to you with a cheque for the race entry and accommodation for the Friday night.  I have since been able to secure alternative local accommodation.  What should I do?

To avoid confusion, let your entry go through as it is. On request, we give you a rebate for the night accommodation when you register on the day. I'm sure a lot of people will change their plans and either want to add overnight accommodation or remove it.  (If you want to add overnight accommodation, but have not booked it, you should be able to find floor space on the night, but do have the honesty to volunteer the overnight fee at registration on the day.)

Did you manage to get the event centre for the night before? There is a few of us travelling up late and just need somewhere for a few hours sleep.

Yes, the event centre is planned to be available from 9 pm. Pubs nearby till then (for socialising with soft drinks, of course).  I'm not sure exactly what facilities there will be but a floor, boiler with hot water and toilets. Alarm clock comprising others rising for the 6am start (however quietly)

Is there any floor space left at the event centre on the Friday night for two people to sleep on?

We haven't specifically reserved slots - guess there should be space, so turn up and see how it is.  But it simplifies matters if you pay in advance. 

Is there any possibility of hot drinking water, or possibility to create porridge at the Event Centre in the morning? 

At the moment, we are unclear about exactly what facilities there will be. Last year we had an electric boiler, but our cooks for the race finish meal had problems working out how to produce the usual repast. I would recommend bringing a breakfast picnic.

Travel:

Last year you kindly picked me up from a car park in Rotherham and gave me a lift to the start of the Round Rotherham. Is it possible I could have a lift again this year?

Should be possible; let me know where you are staying and (depending on other requests) we can arrange a pick-up point, as you are planning to start at 6 am.  Standard pick-up is at B&Q at 5am

Start time:
I’m planning to do this as part of my training for the Marathon des Sables in 2009. 
Is it possible to start with the walkers, even though I plan to run some of the course, as I have no idea how long will take me? But am pretty sure it will be in the region of 14 hours +.

So long as you don't set off running fast and then slow to a walk for the second half, you should be OK.  Basically, the first checkpoint is timed to open for walkers, albeit fast walkers. If you run too much in the first stage, you may have to wait for it to open.  There are some hills that provide a good excuse (reason) to walk on this stage. 

(We don't have walking judges to disqualify non-walkers! - walking and running categories are related to overall time)

Your start time is your choice, but I will provide some background information.
The 'time limit' is 16 h for walkers, so it becomes 15 hours for 7:00 starters. If you intend to run more than you walk, you are probably better to start at 7:00 as you will for most of the way be able to follow runners ahead of you. Most on the walkers start walk every step of the way, though some of the leading walkers will jog/run a bit, but no more than 200 m at a time. A lot therefore depends on how confident you are about navigation. I do know of a former good runner who plans to start at 6:00. I plan to start at 7:00, but I know I will finish in the dark.

Thank you for that. Yes, clear as mud!!!!

Well, the true mud is from Harthill to Woodsetts!! And possibly on the modified route from Maltby to Old Denaby - to be decided as a route change under consideration for 2007.  Enjoy!!

Late Entry Fee:
Is it now the more expensive option (£15) as it's after 25th November?

After 25th we don't guarantee to acknowledge entries, but we may respond. That's your disadvantage, so we don't charge extra.
Two or three days before the event, I finalise the start list, after which it's more work processing late entries so we charge for the trouble.

Navigation 

I just completed, with a friend a 52.1 miler in Norfolk last weekend and being a runner, found that the greatest limitation was the route description.  We actually clocked 56 miles accroding to the garmins/polar SD monitor. I have no problem navigating usually, but need clear instructions. How complex is it to follow your route? is this an endurance or an orienteering event primarily?

You probably don't have to fall back to sweepers, but keep in touch with people who know the route / have done it before.  Basically, if your aim is to get round, you can probably tag on to someone.  If you want to race, you should recce the route.  The guys from Dumfries have found it invaluable to do so.  Concentrate on the second half of the route, when as a racer you want to make your move.  It isn't Orienteering, there is some route marking (but of course people go wrong where there is no marking!)  And not endurance - purely a delight!

The navigation page is up and running now, http://www.hmarston.co.uk/rhac/trail/rrr_map/rrr_nav.htm There are links to (a) our pictorial map (Wainwright style, if you've seen his Pennine Way guide) (b) a written description (c) downloads for GPSs  (d) a pictorial description, using digital photos (under development) 

Navigation - GPS:
Wow the GPS download sounds very complicated, I have only ever hand punched waypoints in and don't have a lead or programme to download. Is there the opportunity to download waypoints at registration. I own a Garmin Gheko.

Which Geko do you have, the 101, 201 or 301? The 101 doesn't have a port for up and downloading, I believe. You can only type waypoints in manually. I would only do so for the checkpoints - too much trouble for the full route.  For the 201 (310), look up this link, find the 201(301) and look at accessories. One is a cable to connect your GPS to a PC (same for both models, I think).

http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/c-recreational-s-basic-m-garmin-brl.html

Having made the connection, you need an interface program. I usually use GPSU, but the 'free' version has a limit to the number of waypoints and trackpoints. A free program that I have also used is GPS trackmaker. Once you are set up, its not complicated to communicate with a computer. Then you can subsequently plot your route on a map or in Google Earth, it makes it worth the effort. .

http://www.gpstm.com/

Do you know if it possible to store the waypoint on a Garmin forerunner 101?
The Garmin forerunner 101 can store waypoints; the problem is recording them. There is no possibility of connecting it to a computer, so you can't download a waypoint file to produce the route. I am not sure if there is a way of entering waypoint data.  Others allow you to enter waypoints via a toggle button, or via a pseudo keyboard, in either case tedious for more than a couple of waypoints - hopeless for 160. If you want to repeat the exercise for a different event, you have to throw away previous hard work.  It is much better to upload a suitable waypoint set from a PC, possible with any GPS unit that has a computer link port, as far as I know.

On the course:
At the checkpoints / feedstations what food and drink is on offer?

Varies. All have at least something to drink and some kind of snack. You may have seen Santa's lavish feed station at CP1 and CP7 on the website. CP4 'half way' is in a sports pavilion and has hot drinks and soup in abundance, sandwiches, bananas, chocs, sweets, etc. Stoke up at these, and you won't be disappointed at the others. Especially if running you won't need all that's offered.  You may want to carry some refreshments for the first long stage. 

What kit do people normally carry round with them? 
I would recommend adequate clothing for possible weather conditions (probably no worse than a blizzard...). You do not say if you are walking or running. Most runners (well, I) have a small bum bag with cag, phone, emergency food (a bit of mintcake, perhaps), LED torch. Walkers may have a small rucksack with an extra fleece, etc, as however warm during the day (and we have been lucky with good weather for the last few years) it soon gets quite cold after dark.  And it can be difficult to keep up the speed necessary to maintain body heat over muddy fields.... 

At least the wind will be drying the mud a bit - though do I detect you are in favour of us poor runners doing battle against as much mud as possible! 
And I will enjoy it too! Our council have been changing muddy paths to cycle tracks - takes the fun out of it! But we are contemplating revenge on Stage 7 this year....

Finishing:
I am entered for the RRR 50. I am worried that I may get lost when it falls dark on the evening as I will be in unfamiliar surroundings. The photographs you have put on the website of the course are an excellent idea and will hopefully help me tremendously. Will all photographs be available to print off the website prior to the event?

The standard route description are the written and map. We are beginning to develop the photographic system. I am not sure if it is that accurate - need some experience of people actually using it. Which is why I've posted the early part, where the route is changed. I plan to take some pictures as I go round this year, but too late for Saturday week, I'm afraid (plan for 2007 is to assemble The Route in Pictures in a printable format - keep watching this website).

Also if I fall off the pace what is the situation regarding finishing if we fail to make the cut off time of 11:00?

If you get to Maltby at about 5 pm, you should have time to get to the finish before 11 pm. There is a sweeper, if you got adrift, and if you get with him I guess you are should get a finish. The staff at the event centre are understandably keen to leave the Event Centre by 11 pm. If you can, it's as well to check out the route from Roche Abbey to Maltby Church, and Ravenfield to Hooton Roberts (possible major change for 2007 - Micklebring to Hooton Roberts) and on to Old Denaby if you can before the day. Also the bit round Swinton. Do remember to take a torch/headlamp - in the dark, the route up to Old Denaby is impossible without. You can make it easy for yourself by making sure you're with a local!

Can you tell me any information about services provided during the race. What is at the checkpoints? Water only? Is there a place for a bag drop?

If you explore the website, you will find answers to most of your questions - and some you may not have thought of. 7 intermediate checkpoints that also serve refreshments, quite varied, but all at least water & something to eat.  At the fourth ('half way' checkpoint),  you can get a light meal with soup, tea, coffee, sarnies, bongers, chocolate, cake, etc. A bag can be sent here from Registration (comes back to Event Centre before most runners).  There is a picture of Father Christmas with the feast he provides at Checkpoints 1 and 7 on the website.  

I have only just thought about the fact that we will still be out when it is dark. Do people use headlamps? Flashlights? Is there lighting on the route?

I use a small LED headlamp - good enough for looking at the map as well as picking out the route. The route is mostly well defined, although you need to take correct turns. It is useful to have a light to see mud / mire, fallen trees, and boulders (set to exclude vehicles) even if you are with someone who knows the way.

Multiple Entries:
I had a problem this year trying to make a payment, so I abandoned this method. I posted the entries for two of us with a cheque. Hope that is not confusing for you.
No problem you entering twice if you want to do two laps. Sorry, no feed stations second time round...... 

 

Relay

My team is doing the relay for the first time.  Can I clarify a couple of points?

1. We start at 8am.  Does this mean the registration time is between 7.15am and 7.50am?
   Yes
2. Does the whole team need to register, or just our first runner?
   The 'Team manager' registers (first runner can be delegated).  But should know if there are any team changes, and last runner (probably with at least some other team members as applauding supporters) should also make officials aware of any team changes on the day.  Team letters (relays are identified by letter rather than number) will normally be posted to the team manager in advance, one for each team member allowing them to be circulated in advance, one to be worn by each runner.  If all team members are going to go to the event centre before the start, letters can be collected there (usually applies to the popular 2-member teams, running alternate stages, the non-runner driving to meet the runner at the next checkpoint)
3. Does each runner need to register at their starting check point?
   Hand-over is by touch of hand.  But it is perhaps as well for the outgoing runner to make him/her-self known to the timing official during a lull in proceedings ('I am the next runner for team X') to avoid being inadvertently recorded when milling around.  The outgoing runner should not go back down the course looking for the incoming runner, with the risk of confusion for the recording official.

 

Please contact me rrr@NOThmarston.co.uk (without the NOT, and include a Subject and Body text - unexplained attachments are treated as spam)) if your question has not been answered