Ochil Ultra 2022: Final Information

Thank you for entering the Ochil Ultra, we appreciate your support in choosing our event.

Ben & Nic

ben@weerunevents.co.uk

 

You should find all the information you need here but do feel free to contact us if you have any specific questions although don’t leave them till the last minute as we will get busy with set up.

Changes or Withdrawals

We are no longer able to process changes or withdrawals as per our terms and conditions which can be viewed here: http://weerunevents.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/

Registration

Please register at the start(s) before the race:

  • Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK, FK9 4LA from 6:00am (50 mile “Long” Course).
  • What Three Words: ///symphony.newsprint.doses
  • There is parking available at the hotel
  • Primrose Park AFC, Auchterarder PH3 1GH from 8:00am (31 mile “Short Course”).
  • What Three Words: ///brotherly.starting.enhances
  • There IS NO PARKING at the short start - please park safely and legally nearby and walk.

At registration you will pick up your race number, your timing chip, your GPS tracker and safety information - please note there are no route notes this year due to last minute route change.

There may also be some last minute information so please check your packs carefully.

Volunteers

All of our marshals and helpers are volunteers so please give them a smile and a wave when you see them.

If you are interested in volunteering for future events please let us know! All our volunteers get FREE ENTRY to the following year's event and lunch provided on the day!

 

 

ESSENTIAL KIT LIST

Kit List

Compulsory

  • Head torch (can be left at CP4 in your drop bag)
  • Whistle
  • Mobile phone (fully charged)
  • Emergency blanket
  • Emergency Food and Drink
  • All runners will be issued with a GPS tracker which MUST be carried (relay runners should pass this as a baton)
  • Emergency Contact information on safety information

 

Recommended

  • Waterproofs may be compulsory if the weather is inclement as some of the course is over high tops and can be exposed.
  • A map of the route is recommended which can be viewed here:
  • First aid kit
  • Spare clothes especially socks as there are wet sections (can be left in your drop bags)
  • You may wish to leave road shoes at CP4 as approx. 50% of leg 5 is on tarmac (not trail)

Course information

The course in general follows the core path network, however these paths vary considerably from narrow hill paths to farm and forest tracks. Some sections follow minor country roads and near the finish you will be on urban roads.

The terrain is very varied, there are forest paths, farm tracks, grassy paths (some rather overgrown), tarmac roads (not too much) and a few more!

 

The course has very varied terrain and this dictates what type of marking we can use

  • Where possible we will use A5 size black arrows on a yellow background. (on Leg 5 these will have reflective tape so you can pick them out in the dark)
  • Over the exposed hill we will use white lollipops in the ground and temporary paint on the ground
  • Some red and white tape on trees in wooded areas
  • Larger A4 or A3 black arrows on a luminous yellow background at key turnings

 

PLEASE NOTE: we aim to use less signs and route markers than in previous years to make things easier to clean up afterwards.

If you do think you are lost then we recommend returning to the last marker you saw. Or phone the number on the Safety Information so we can check your GPS position and help.

We will be keeping an eye on all of you too so if we see you go wrong we may call!

IMPORTANT!

Cut Off

At the North side of Bridge of Earn where the route turns east to Moncrieff Hill we will be operating a soft cut off procedure. If you do not reach this point by 7:29pm (the official end of dusk) we will direct you on a shorter route that follows the A912 into Perth and misses Moncrieff Hill. We have had a lot of discussions about this process as we really don’t want people to be disappointed but for your safety and for our volunteers who will be marshalling all day we had to come up with a compromise that is best all round. This means you probably have to leave CP4 by 7pm to complete the full route.

 

Please listen to our marshals who are there for your safety especially on road sections however, it is your responsibility to ensure you are traffic aware on the roads. Most roads are minor single track but they may have large farm machinery so please give way. If a road has a pavement please do use it!!!

 

Check Points (Relay Change Overs)

You must check in at the timing point by scanning your chip past the antenna before doing anything else. If you are handing over in the relay you must scan first then hand over the GPS tracker.

At each check point bottled water will be provided if you use it to fill your own containers please put the bottles in the bins provided.

Your drop bags will be available please only take yours even if someone else has better looking sandwiches.

 

The check point details are:

Check Point 1 - Tillicoutry

What Three Words: ///bookmark.licks.confetti

Toilets may be available in the Golf Clubhouse

Parking available on the nearby streets

 

Check Point 2 – Glen Sherup

What Three Words: ///bulldozer.buzz.multiple

There is no parking and NO ACCESS to anyone but runners.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GET THERE BY CAR this will annoy landowners and prevent the Ultra from happening in the future.

Relay Teams - you must park in this car park (What Three Words: ///unity.devoured.fitter) and walk up to the checkpoint to swap over with your teammate.

 

Check Point 3 – Middle Rigg

What Three Words: ///swooning.comet.bright

This is the most remote check point and due to limited space there is no access for spectators.

One Portaloo on site for runners.

For relay change support please do not plan to park cars for very long.

 

Check Point 4 - Kilgraston School

What Three Words: ///stilted.parrot.exists

One Portaloo on site for runners.

Parking available on the nearby streets (not in the School)

Drop Bags

Please label your bags clearly with your name/number and CP1, CP2 ,CP2, CP3, CP4 and Finish.

We will have water at checkpoints.

We recommend using plastic “baggies” not anything that you would be distraught to lose!

These should be placed in the appropriate sack at registration so it is transported to the correct checkpoint.

These big sacks will be available at each registration point.

Perishable items left over once the Ultra is complete will be discarded, all other items will be kept for 7 days - you may arrange to pick it up - then it will be thrown away or donated to charity.

Support/Spectators

We recommended you give your GPS detail to your supporters so they can track your progress on the course via the tracking website and try and catch you at the check points (except CP2 and CP3 where spectators are not allowed)

Tracking link here: https://www.geotracks.co.uk/live/1313?fbclid=IwAR0iX_MvsnVOnH4NfoZK8F10i8wElj8vA3nNrYsIfKPHrITXmA5mBh-8vgA

The tracking link will also be shared via the Ochil Ultra Facebook page at the start of the event.

We will be displaying the GPS tracking at the South Inch at the finish so spectators are welcome to base themselves there.

STARTS

The Long Ultra and Relay Start at Stirling University

Registration is in The Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling University from 6:00am.

The post code is FK9 4LA

What Three Words: ///symphony.newsprint.doses

The start is located next to Hermitage Road and the start time for the long run and the relay is 7am

Your GPS device will be switched ON when you receive it BUT if you think it is off please double check with someone at registration before you start.

Parking is available at the hotel.

 

 

The Long Ultra and Relay Start at Stirling University

The Short Ultra Start is in Auchterarder

Registration is at the Primrose Park AFC, Auchterarder from 8.00am

The post code is PH3 1GH

What Three Words: ///brotherly.starting.enhances

The start is located at the car park and the start time for the short is 9:00am

There is no parking for runners at the Park (because of building works) so please use the bus or arrange to be dropped off by a supporter.

Your GPS device will be switched ON when you receive it BUT if you think it is off please double check with someone at registration before you start.

The Short Ultra Start is in Auchterarder

Finish

The finish is on the Lower South Inch in Perth.

When you finish hand in your timing chip and GPS device (please note if we do not get your timing chip and/or GPS tracker back we will charge you).

The finish will close at 10pm.

We will aim to present prizes as soon as we have a set of prize-winners!

Parking is available in the paid car park at the South Inch at Edinburgh Road, Perth PH1 5PH (http://www.ukcarparks.info/south-inch-car-park-perth) or on the streets which is free after 6pm.

Timing Chips and GPS

You can choose whether you wear your timing chip on your ankle or wrist but it must be scanned at each Check Point and the Finish

Your GPS tracker will be turned on at the start and please keep it ON for the duration of the race, this is part of our safety system and the First Aid team will also have access to the data. It is best if the GPS tracker is carried at the top of your rucksack as it ‘talks’ to things in the sky.

We are able to monitor the battery life of the devices, if the battery is about to or has already run out we wil swap it at CP4.

You must return your timing devices at the finish (even if you retire) if you take them away or lose them you will be charged the replacement costs (Lost chip cost: £10, lost GPS cost £100).

The link for the GPS tracking will be shared in the days before the event on the Ochil Ultra and Wee Run Events Facebook page.

Bus to start

Those who have booked on the bus to the start will receive a separate communication.

Both buses will pick up from Shore Road next to the South Inch in Perth.

What Three Words: ///puddles.bits.sound

  • 50 Mile bus at 5:00am
  • 31 Mile bus at 7:00am

 

There are a few remaining places on the bus, if you would like to book a place check here.

General Conduct

  1. Do not Litter - take it home with you or put it in bins at the Check Points
  2. Close ALL Gates behind you EVEN IF YOU FIND IT OPEN. (If it is marshalled you will not have to do so) WE CANNOT STRESS THIS POINT ENOUGH, WE HAVE HAD COMPLAINTS FROM LANDOWNERS EVERY YEAR! LIVESTOCK WILL GET OUT CAUSING TROUBLE AND AGRO FOR US!
  3. We share the trails and paths with others so if you are in a group make sure you leave room for other users
  4. Some fields may have farms animals please be considerate. The landowners know we are coming and larger livestock should* be out of the way.
  5. If you retire from the race please go to the nearest road so we can make arrangements to pick you up if required. You must return timing chips to the finish and let us know that you have retired.
  6. Please do not wear headphones on the road sections so that you can hear vehicles approaching
  7. Poles are allowed (as long as you don't use to stab/attack fellow runners)

*no guarantees...