Dunoon Ultra Marathon and Relay

 Race Date:          Saturday 7th October 2017

Start Time:          0800hrs at Benmore Gardens (bus transfer from Dunoon Pier)

Registration:      Friday 6th October 1600hrs – 1930hrs Dunoon Pier, Dunoon

                                Saturday 7th October 0600hrs – 0700hrs Dunoon Pier, Dunoon

Start Location: Benmore Gardens (bus transfer from Dunoon Pier)

Finish Location: Dunoon Pier, Dunoon

Info:

1. Photographic ID to be shown at registration. NO ID will result in not being able to run.

2. No last minute entries on race day.

3. A support crew/runner is not permitted*

4. Water will be provided at all checkpoints.

5. Drop bags will be available at:

·         Ardentinny Road crossing point (8 miles) between Whistlefield Inn and Ardentinny

·         Glenbranter Forestry  Car park (14 miles)

·         Benmore Gardens Car Park (23 miles)

6. Cut-off time at Benmore Gardens Car park checkpoint (23 miles): 6hrs 30mins race time, which is 1430hrs.

7. Food, drinks and prize-giving ceremony at the race finish. Don’t miss it!!!

8. Post-race celebrations at Dunoon Pier, Dunoon on Saturday evening from 1700hrs onwards.

Race Day Schedule:

0600hrs - 0700hrs: Drop bags to checkpoint vehicles at the Ferry Car park adjacent to the Tourist Info Centre. Drop bags should be clearly labelled with your race number and drop bag point.

0600hrs - 0700hrs: Post race kit bags can be put into a secure holding area at Dunoon pier. Please ensure your race number and name is clearly visible on your bag.

0640hrs approx : First coach leaves from Dunoon Pier, Dunoon and will shuttle back and forward to Benmore Gardens. If you are planning to make your own way to Benmore Gardens please inform the registration desk

0745hrs: Race Director's race briefing for runners, Benmore Gardens Car Park

0800hrs: Race start. Run 33 miles to Dunoon Pier

1230hrs : 1800hrs: hot food, tea, coffee and beer, Dunoon Pier at the race finish

1530hrs: Prize-giving at the race finish

1600hrs onwards: Post-race celebrations at Dunoon Pier, Dunoon

General information about the route

The race begins at Benmore Gardens and travels south for a mile along puddle lane running parallel with the River Eachaig (on your left). Turning left over a short metal bridge and past Uig Hall (on your right) you will cross over the A815 then turning right after 100 meters towards Pucks Glen.

You will follow the narrow path up the Glen staying alongside the river before finally reaching the forestry track turning left. This trail will lead you to Inverchapel over a bridge and following the single track path as it winds and climbs up towards the forestry track (please close all gates after you). The track will be well signposted but as a rule follow the white banded forestry commission marker poles.

Eventually you will find yourself crossing the Ardentinny High Road where the first drop bag point (7.5 miles) is (no parking is permitted here for supporters due to very narrow single track road). From here you will continue to climb to 1000ft above sea level (don’t forget to look back as you reach the radio mast as the views are spectacular). After a couple of more short climbs, passing by the new hydro dam you will begin the long fast decent towards Invernoaden (first checkpoint and first change over for the relay teams – 13.5 miles).

***A short half mile or so run along the unpaved A815 will see you turn left into Glenbranter (a short alternative route is being sought to try prevent running on A815). Glenbranter will be the second drop bag point (14.5 miles), toilets and plenty of car parking available.

The run heads south down the flatter side of Loch Eck, 9 miles from Benmore Gardens. Benmore Gardens will be the second checkpoint (23.5 miles) and last change over for the relay teams. Toilets and parking available, cracking cafe here too! (for non runners obviously lol!!). You will return back down puddle lane, however continuing to follow the river, there will be some road running involved, it is normally very quiet. The trail will bring you across the B836 bringing you into Glenkin forestry car park. The terrain begins to climb again, reaching the last major climb until you begin to descend into the Bishops Glen. Keep your eyes on the markers, the reservoir will be on your left until you drop down onto Kilbride Road turning right along to the road junction crossing over and veering left along the West Bay Esplanade where Dunoon Pier will begin to come into sight (ensure the River Clyde is on your right). 

********IMPORTANT CHANGES THIS YEAR  ********

The road section between Invernoaden and Glenbranter will include traffic management to ensure maximum safety for all competitors, runners will run on the south bound carriageway until the crossing point.

The Dunoon Ultra is Scotalnd's newest Ultra event and has been named as one the eight great Scottish Ultras by Fiona Outdoors.

Who organises the event?

Dunoon Presents (who are the business community) fronts and financially backs the Ultra (www.dunoonpresents.co.uk) and the Race Organiser, Colin Moulson is the main contact. The Ultra is also being supported by a local hill running club, Dunoon Hill Runners, Race Director on the day Ian Marshall.

The Dunoon Ultra is run as a non-profit event, this is its second year and we will aim to make it a fantastic experience for you all. Please be kind to the marshals and other members of the Ultra Team as they are giving up their time and day to help support you on your run.

What to expect underfoot…….

The route is approximately 95% off-road with just a few short sections on tarmac. The off-road sections are mostly wide forestry paths and some single track, and although quite technical at the start the majority if not all of it is very runable.  The race route includes approximately metres (feet) of ascent.

Appropriate Footwear……

Perhaps not helpful, but it really does come down to personal preference. Some local runners wear road shoes and some trail to run the whole route. Most of the paths are very good and unless it's been raining for the whole week before the race, it's not likely to be too wet underfoot. Basically, whatever you normally run off-road in will be fine.

Compulsory Kit

All runners with no exceptions MUST carry the following items at all times during the race, this is for your own safety.

1. An emergency foil blanket.

2. A fully charged and switched on mobile phone with Race Control number stored.

3. A waterproof jacket with taped seems (this may at the race directors discretion be relaxed on the morning of the race if conditions are deemed appropriate).

 Litter?

You absolutely MUST NOT drop any litter on the trail! Please use the official litter bins which will be located within the vicinity of each checkpoint. If you see a runner dropping litter please ask them to pick it up.  If you come across any race litter on the trail, e.g. energy gel wrappers, please pick it up and take it to the next checkpoint. Thank you.

What are the rules about gates?

If you pass through an open gate, leave it open. If the gate is closed, please close it behind you. (If another runner is coming up behind you, it is good race etiquette to wait a second and hold the gate open for them rather than just run off and let it slam shut in front of them.)

Are support runners/pacers/crew allowed?

*Support runners are allowed for slower runners for the last section of the route only.

Crew is permitted but only at Glenbranter and Benmore Gardens Drop bag points. Please be mindful of parking and other runners when supporting your runner.

Can I use walking/running poles?

Yes poles are permitted.

Rules on the use of an iPod/MP3 player?

These can be used however, there are several busy road crossings and several sections of the race where the route runs along public roads, there are a couple of common sense rules about earphones:

1. You must remove your earphones completely at checkpoints, at road crossings, when approaching marshals, and at all times when running on public roads.

2. Don't listen too loud. You must be able to hear what is going on around you at all times.

3. Please do not use iPod/MP3 players on narrow sections of the trail as this impair your awareness of other runners trying to get by you.

If a marshal signals you to remove your earphones, you MUST do so immediately. Any runners causing hassle in this regard may be withdrawn from the race for their own safety. Please respect this J

Checkpoints/Drop Bags Stations

·         There will be water at every checkpoint

·         There will be cola at checkpoints 2 and 3

·         Oranges, jelly sweets and crisps at checkpoints 2 and 3

 Are there any cut off times?

Yes, there is a 6hr 30min (1430hrs) cut off at Benmore Gardens checkpoint (23 miles). This cut off time is in place for runner safety. It is a very generous cut off time and anyone not able to make this time will not be allowed to continue within the race. We have a strict policy on this and it will be strictly enforced by checkpoint marshals. If you reach Benmore Gardens checkpoint after 1430hrs, you will be timed out, and will not be allowed to continue.

In addition to this, if at any point during the race checkpoint marshals/race medics think you are unwell or unfit to continue, they may withdraw you from the race. In reality this rarely happens in races, so don't worry about it. However, if it does happen to you, please comply gracefully, they are only concerned for your safety and have given up their day to look after you, please be nice to them, even if they're pulling you out of the race.

What should I do if I come across an injured runner?

You absolutely MUST stop and try to help, however at all times please ensure you do not put your own safety at risk. It is very important that we all look after each other out there. If a runner is seriously injured then please call 999 first, then Race Control (this number will already be in your phone). If you have no mobile phone signal please wait until another runner arrives to assist then run on until you get a signal.  If the runner can’t move and is getting cold please use your and other runners’ emergency foil blankets to keep the injured runner warm.

What do I do if I'm timed out, or if I decide to withdraw from the race?

If you withdraw from the race at one of the checkpoints, please let a marshal know you are stopping, and make sure you give them your name and your race number. If you decide to withdraw from the race between checkpoints and have your support crew pick you up somewhere, please phone Race Control ( 07834 564415) and let us know that you're okay.

Please DO NOT simply exit the race and go home without telling marshals. We don't want to have to call out mountain rescue to go looking for you, especially if you're already sitting at home with your feet up.

If you withdraw from the race, and you don't have a support crew, sweeper vehicles at each checkpoint will be able to drive you on to the finish at Dunoon Pier. However, this may be some time after the checkpoint finally closes, so you could have a wait of several hours. There will be first aid personnel at every checkpoint to look after runners, so make yourself known to them and they'll take care of you until the checkpoint closes.  

The Race Finish:

The race finish will be amazing, finishing on the newly refurbished and iconic Victorian Dunoon Pier.

At the finish there will be a heated area for runners to relax in. Your finish line bags will be there for you to collect. As well as your usual race goodies the following treats are provided at the finish line for all runners completely FREE of charge:

Hot homemade food - vegetarian choice available

Unlimited tea and coffee for all runners

Post race massage available

Hot showers for all runners, in the leisure centre

There may even be music and beer :-)

First aid/medical assistance will be available at the finish for any runner who requires it

When and where is the prize-giving?

The prize-giving will take place at the race finish from approximately 1530hrs onwards.

How to get to Dunoon

http://www.dunoon.org.uk/how_to_get_to_dunoon/

If coming by Western Ferries (22min crossing), cheaper tickets can be purchased in advance online or at :  Co-Op shop at 21 Eldon St, Greenock, Inverclyde PA16 7UG OR Paul’s Food and Wine, Shore St Gourock, next to William Hill Bookmakers – please note that first WF crossing is 0730hrs.

The first passenger ferry from Gourock is 0620hrs and will have a maximum capacity of 140

Where can I park in Dunoon?

There are numerous areas of free and paid parking which are easily accessible around the town

Lost property?

We will do our best to reunite any lost property with its rightful owner, however we can’t guarantee this.

At the race finish, any found items will be put under a ‘LOST PROPERTY” sign beside all the kit bags.

Anything not claimed by the end of race day will be taken back to Dunoon Presents, please email if you have lost something important.

Please note that low value clothing items such as t-shirts will be washed and taken to a charity shop, therefore please do not deliberately leave clothing at checkpoints as chances are you won’t get it back.

Happy training and we look forward to seeing you all on race day, any questions you can post them on the Dunoon Ultra FB page.