2024 RUN INFORMATION

Ochil Ultra 2024: Final Information: TBC

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 pre-ultra 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

From 14th September 2023 we will no longer be 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

There is no registration for the 50-mile or 30-mile on Friday 27th September

Please see further down for Ochil 100 Ultra Information

Please register at the start(s) before the race at The Lower South Inch from 6:00am (50 mile “Long” Course) or at Primrose Park in Auchterarder from 8:00am (30 mile “Short Course”).

At registration you will pick up your bib number, your timing chip, your GPS tracker and Route Book.

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

There will be a sheet for you to write YOUR MOBILE NUMBER on - this is so we can call you if we see you have gone off track.

Volunteers

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

This includes our Medic Team who will be on the course.

 

ESSENTIAL KIT LIST

Kit List

WE WILL BE CHECKING!

Compulsory

  • Head torch (can be left at CP4 in your drop bag)
  • Whistle
  • Mobile phone (fully charged and ON!!)
  • 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)
  • Route Book
  • Your Emergency Contact information (write this on your route book)

 

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 start in road shoes and switch to trail shoes at CP1 as approx. 50% of leg 1 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!

We are extremely limited with toilets this year, they are available at the start but basically it's "bush wees" until CP4.

 

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

  • Where possible we will use A5 size blue arrows on a white 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 lolipop markers 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
  • We have had sections that have been tampered with in previous years - so we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the route and keep checking the map as you go.
  • If in doubt call for help!!!!

 

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 route book 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 Ochil Road in Menstrie where the route turns up to Dumyat we will be operating a soft cut off procedure. If you do not reach this point by 7:26pm (the official end of dusk) we will direct you on a shorter route that follows the Hillfoots Path into Stirling Uni and misses out Dumyat. 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 Point (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. If you fail to hand over the GPS tracker you will be disqualified.

At each check point water has been provided; if you use it to fill your own containers please put 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 - Kilgraston School

56.338444 -3.411849

What Three Words: ///mystified.hounded.politics

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

 

Check Point 2 – Middle Rigg

56.264107 -3.507722

What Three Words: ///lecturers.culling.comical

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

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

 

Check Point 3 – Frandy Fishery

56.221596, -3.718395

What Three Words: ///boil.arranger.tests

There are no toilets available here for runners or spectators (unless you are a customer of the cafe)

Parking is available

 

 

Check Point 4 - Tillicoutry Golf Club

56.155638, -3.751216

What Three Words: ///topical.pacifist.oils

Toilets available in the Golf Club

Parking available on the nearby streets.

Drop Bags

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

NOTE : if you are doing the 30 Miles your CP's are CP3 and 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 so it is transported to the correct checkpoint.

These big sacks will be available at each registration point.

Drop bags will be brought to the Finish after the CP has closed and then taken to our home in Perth after the event (we will not keep things for long as we don't have space) please collect them from the finish or make arrangements to come to Perth in the week after the race.

TIMING CHIPS/GPS TRACKERS

Wear your timing chip on your wrist or attach it to your pack it must be scanned at each Check Point and the Finish

Your GPS tracker will be given to you turned on at the start and MUST remain ON for the duration of the race, this is part of our safety system and the medic 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.

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).

PLEASE let us take your chip/GPS tracker as soon as you cross the finish line (you can run around making your Strava perfect after!)

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

Support/Spectators

We recommended you give your GPS details 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 where spectators are not allowed)

We will be displaying the GPS tracking at the finish at Sport Institute Scotland so spectators are welcome to base themselves there.

THERE IS NO ACCESS OR PARKING FOR RUNNERS OR SPECTATORS AT THE FINISH PLEASE PARK AT THE EAST CAR PARK AT STIRLING UNIVERSITY

We have food trucks coming to the finish - information TBC

 

STARTS

The Long Ultra and Relay Start at the Lower South Inch

Registration is in the Lower South Inch from 6:00am.

The post code is PH2 8AB.

The start is located next to Car Park and the start time for the long run and the relay is 7am

Please be aware that Shore Road is closed for road works - you CAN access the start car park from Tay Street, but if you're coming from the Shore Road side you'll need to go through Perth - allow plenty of time to navigate around the funworks going on in Perth!

The registration marshals will make sure your GPS device is ALREADY switched ON when you receive it.

Parking is available in the Lower South Inch Car Park I believe it is £5.30 for the day

The Short Ultra Start is in Auchterarder

Registration is at the Pavillion in Primrose Park Auchterarder from 8:00am

The Post code is PH3 1GH

The start is located at the Pavillion and the start time for the short ultra is 9:00am

Limited Parking is available so please use the bus or arrange to be dropped off by a supporter.

The registration marshals will make sure your GPS device is ALREADY switched ON when you receive it.

FINISH

Finish

The finish is at sportscotland institute of sport FK9 5PH

There is no vehicle access for runners or spectators at this location. Please park in Stirling University East Car Park - this will be signposted, and is free to runners and spectators all day.

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.

Portaloos are available at the finish.

Finish Facilities

We have portaloos at the finish for runners and spectators

We have two caterers at the finish who will be selling hot, cold, sweet and savoury goodies!

Rosie Harrison will be providing Sports Massage at the finish for those of you that need it!

BUS

Bus to start

The bus to the start is part of your entry and a separate communication will be forthcoming.

Both buses will pick up from Stirling University - at the Bus Terminal (Near the East Car Park)

50 Mile bus at 5:00am

30 Mile bus at 7:00am

General Conduct

We had complaints last year about gates being left open and people running through fields of cows that had been purposefully moved off the course - if this keeps happening we won't be able to put on the Ochil Ultra so PLEASE TAKE CARE AND BE MINDFUL OF THE FOLLOWING:

  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).
    • NB if we catch you littering or leaving gates open you will be DQ'd
  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 therefore be very cautious that you are still on course before you enter a field with large livestock.
  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 and GPS Trackers to the finish and let us know that you have retired. Alternatively you can retire at a marshal point - and the marshal will let us know.
  6. If you are taken off the course by your supporters you MUST let us know (call Race HQ or tell a Marshal) this is so we don't freak out whilst watching your tracker go off course!
  7. Please do not wear headphones on the road sections so that you can hear vehicles approaching.
  8. Poles can be used but please be mindful of others on the route.