The Mighty Deerstalker:

Race Options

The Deerstalker is designed for absolutely any reasonable runner to complete, as proven by last years tremendous completion record. The onus is on fun but this is also a serious challenge, involving off-road terrain, steep gradients and exciting obstacles. Choose to run as a solo or team of three - male, female or mixed. Team members do not have to stick together.

A loop of 5km (ish) starting and finishing at the event village, involving some steep ascent, some forest trails and some water to cross. We'll give you obstacles to test your nerve and there will be plenty of gradient to test your resolve. However, you're never far from home and when you return to the rapturous applause of your supporters in the event village, you'll feel a great sense of achievement from having run the gauntlet of the Deerstalker. This distance will suit those interested in a short distance sprint challenge or to those new to off-road running who may want to "test the water" with this type of challenge. The Deerstalker will commence at 1400* and run duration will be between 50 mins and 120 mins depending on fitness.

Those who are not satiated by this challenge can opt for the MIGHTY Deerstalker starting at 1700*. You too will start on loop 1 and complete a similar 5km (ish) course as above, but whereas the Deerstalker runners will cross the line in the event village and finish, you will just keep going, with your own head torch, and tear off into the dwindling twilight. You'll do a second loop of another 5km (and a bit) and this one will be tougher than the first - rock and scree, sharper ascents and the added element of the dark to contend with...! As the lead runner reaches the high point of the course darkness will have fallen and he/ she will light the Deerstalker homecoming firework atop the mountain, to show all those awaiting their return in the event village that they are homeward bound. The bangs and whizzes will punctuate the night as the racers make their way back to Traquair in the eerie half-light of their head torches. Run duration between 90 minutes and 4hrs. Be prepared!

* Start Times - Our darkness police will be in the area the weekend before and we will announce any adjustments to these times via mail out. On the day, in the event of inclement or overcast weather we will start earlier. In the event of extremely bright evening weather and the full moon beating down, we could start later. Either way, aim to be ready at least 30 minutes before 1400 and 1700 respectively.

Obstacles

As we speak, those gracious woodsmen of the Forestry Commission are tending to their chainsaws and heavy machinery and conjuring the very best obstacles the Forest can throw at you. Water jumps, log balance bars, prickly tunnels and cargo nets might feature, but whatever we present you with, you won't need special skills. You might need guts though.

Deerstalker also delivers the world's first running "north-shore" (or Deershore as we call it) running section - for those of you who have no idea what that means then we encourage you to research the Glentress V Trail - across the valley. Look at the pictures of you dare!

Equipment and Attire

You don't have to wear anything, but we would prefer if you did. Some of you might want to wear your finest country best, resplendent in tweed and plus fours. We certainly will be. We will encourage you ALL to wear some headwear, and this may be the ubiquitous Deerstalker. We're not saying you have to, but if you do, we'll give you free beer. We will also have special edition tweed-print Buff "Visor" headwear - uniquely Deerstalker, uniquely functional for this style of event. We anticipate an eclectic mixture of Lycra, Ron Hills, country apparel, fine and appropriate headwear (Buff visors or Deerstalker hats), skin tight and very inappropriate shorts and some excellent knee length socks. The fashion Police have NOT been invited - so don your best, or your worst, running threads and dress up to get down at the Deerstalker. We are actively encouraging the eccentric for this event. If you don't look at least a little strange then you won't fit in.

You are asked to carry suitable clothing for the prevailing weather conditions, and in the worst weathers we will insist that you start with full body cover. Perhaps bring a bum-bag or similar to carry this gear on the race. For those running the 10k (and a bit) then this same bag will come in handy for your torch. You are strongly advised to carry some basic first aid provisions and a whistle for summoning help, should you crumble.

Prizes

The winners of each class will be awarded some beautiful locally hand-crafted trophies. There will also be cash prizes on offer. Every racer will walk (or hobble) away with their own souvenir medallion of the occasion. We will also have outdoor kit spot-prizes awarded at the prize-giving ceremony in the Deerstalker marquee for those who have shown exceptional fortitude, delivered exquisite comedy value or helped to make the occasion memorable in some shape or form. We will have male and female classes for Bambi (16-17's), Stag (18-49) or Old Stag (50-70), and male, female and mixed team prizes too.