Highland Fling - Page 27 - Ultra / Adventure racing

Fellrunner

24/11/2011 at 16:02

TBH the field gets well spread out over the 50 odd miles, my concerns are environmental and the impact it has on the various areas of habitation especially when you add in the WHW race, there is already some animosity from local businesses and people etc on route (not in TYNDRUM though) , surprising that as you would think that they could work out how to take advantage of the influx of punters.

Edited: 24/11/2011 at 16:04

T Rex

25/11/2011 at 20:03

Done this for the last four years but not doing it again. The weather was so good this year (by that I mean sunny and clear) and my logistics were so spot on that I don't think I could improve on the experience. I could try for a faster time - certainly compared with this year when I was injured - but have decided against it.

An offputting thing with this event for me is all the staggered starts - four altogether - so it is a bit dispiriting keep being overtaken (I'm now at the old codgers start) and you don't know who your competitors are at any one point.

The previous ROs , and the sponsor, were superb. The goody bag the best ever.

It is a very good event.

MrsMac

26/11/2011 at 21:13

Shame T Rex, I'm doing it for the first time next year (I'll try not to take it personally)

That is a slight worry of mine too Fellrunner. Bein Glas farm wouldn't allow supporters use their facilities this year for the WHW race.

T Rex

01/12/2011 at 19:50

Surprised you haven't done that one before, MrsMac. Good luck with it. You'll be running home of course?

Steven Grant

21/01/2012 at 17:07

I'm in for my first fling. Love running on the WHW so fair looking forward to it

cragchick

21/01/2012 at 18:42

I'm in for my second Fling, was wanting to do Cateran Trail but this is better timing-wise as family wouldn't take kindly to me spending the kids holiday weekend doing an ultra race!!! Hopefully a precursor to my first 100-miler a few months futher down the line. Loved it last year, would like to be a bit speedier this year but you never know how these longer distances are going to pan out on the day etc

runs-with-dogs

21/01/2012 at 20:08

I've volunteered to marshal at the Fling this year. Entered my first ultra - another one of the Scottish Ultras later on in the year - and thought I should do my bit to help out in advance as I'm (very provisionally) hoping to improve enough this year to enter the Fling next year.

Maybe see some of you there! I assume I'll be wearing a yellow bib and handing out jelly babies...

Steven Grant

22/01/2012 at 14:27

I'll be sure to say thanks to all the marshalls

cragchick

23/01/2012 at 12:09

Yes, last year I believe there were some ungrateful grumpy runners out there, who did not make themselves popular with marshalls, who are all volunteers after all who help make our adventure easier.

Steven Grant

23/01/2012 at 12:59

Aye I read that on the Fling forum. It's pretty sad being ratty with a volunteer who's trying to help you.
Personally I find a wee cheery chirp with a marshall always gives me a wee lift

cragchick

23/01/2012 at 18:52

too true, it's those moments when you've been running on your own for too long, with bad thoughts in your head, when you really appreciate a cheery boost or helping hand from a marshall.

GKD

06/04/2012 at 20:13

Well im out of Fellsman as I haven't given myself enough nav practise to be confident so I'm looking at this instead, what are thd essentials I need to know?

the dude abides

12/04/2012 at 18:44

My first fling! excited. nervous.

run-with-dogs - i'll be sure to give you a high five

T Rex

12/04/2012 at 20:36

Lirish. There is a new RO this year so can't say if any differences to the past - I think new ones are trying to keep it the same as possible.

Follows the WHW exactly so only need to look out for white thistles on posts. They do very good drop bag system, taking your food/drink out to nominated CPs. I used only one though, at Inversnaid at the hotel (a mile 34) - a very organised and relaxed CP. Beinglas Farm (mile 41) is chaos so best to try to get through there as quickly as possible.

The last 12 miles seem to take an age. A gradual uphill toil on very stony tracks.

Section along Loch Lomond very scenic twisting and turning through the woods but some of it not runnable.

Excellent cafe near the finish - Real Food Cafe.

I've enjoyed my four Flings but decided not to do it this year.

MrsMac

13/04/2012 at 20:58

Can't think of the Fling without remembering of bumping into you last year T Rex in Fort Bill - after completing the WHW straight after the Fling!!

Don't understand runners abusing marshalls. Even at my lowest point in a race I've always appreciated a friendly helpful face!

Really looking forward to this now, running Lochaber on Sunday as a last long run.

Fellrunner

13/04/2012 at 22:01

Enjoy Mrs Mac trust you are both well.

No Lochaber , Fling or WHW race for me this year however we are coming to Scotland for the whole of May

Edited: 13/04/2012 at 22:04

Hillheader

13/04/2012 at 22:19

Do you think there are places left?

Did the fling (and WHW) last year and always enjoy both. Was a bit hot last year but enjoyable. Now got a gap in calendar and would like to go for it again.

the dude abides

13/04/2012 at 22:41

yes there are places left

runs-with-dogs

14/04/2012 at 08:34

Oooh, don't say that. I'm almost tempted to enter! Been told already what checkpoint I'll be at for the WHW but despite the Fling only being two weeks away, no-one's told me yet where I'll be for it. If they don't hurry up and decide, I might just have to get a sneaky wee entry put in!

Dude - A high five? Bet that would really be a sneaky attempt to snatch jelly babies from me. LOL!

I just had a look at the entry list. Nearly 500 runners. Didn't realise it would be such a big crowd! The Devil's only 100 or so...

the dude abides

14/04/2012 at 09:19

go on...enter......go on.....you know you want to

go-an

go-an go-an go-an go-an go-an