Winter 100

Quite a few did it.  Sure they will be along soon.

It turned into a bit of a massacre this year, owing to unusually challenging weather conditions.  It started raining during the race briefing, and continued for most of the race, turning the ground into a boggy and energy sapping morass.  A few people did finish it as their first 100 miler  event, despite the conditions. 

What I would say about the Winter 100 is this.  On paper it ought to be the easiest of the Centurion 100 mile events, but the time of year gives it the potential to be the hardest.  In ideal weather conditions you will be looking at long hours of darkness, and the weather at that time of year could be pretty much anything. 

I do not want to put you off signing up for this event as your first 100 miler, but be aware of the implications of the time of year. 

I failed it last year. The conditions were just too much for me. Sunny Spain and Ultima Frontera for me this year

I'll probably volunteer for it though, just to see it from the other side

17 hours of rain, 15 hours of dark, ankle deep mud, mile 78 to mile 88 was into a gale force head wind, mentally exhausting and my feet were shot for a week after!

Loved it and have entered again

I felt that the TP100 was so flat, that this became an aggravating factor in itself. 

Also the point to point format of the TP100, makes you more heavily committed than the four spur arrangement of the Winter 100, and puts you further from your drop bag and support. 

Of course the conditions on the day, made the Winter 100 much harder than the other Centurion events I have done.

Just my take for whatever its worth. 

Interesting points thanks. My logic is that I will have done quite a few marathons and 4 Ultras by that point in the year, and as I want to do a 100 miler I thought I could use the momentum I'd built up. if the weather is such a factor maybe I'll put it off until 2014. I hestitate to ask if there are any easy ones but any recommendations?

An easy 100 miler is a bit of an oxymoron.  You might be better off just trying to find one that you have some enthusiasm for as an event, so that you will be well motivated.  There is also a good argument for going with the momentum, while you still have it.  Having done the Wall this year, you will certainly be no stranger to ultra distance in of hard weather conditions, albeit in summer.  

Just be aware that the Winter 100 has the potential to be an extremely challenging event, if the weather conditions are unfavourable on the day.  It might be a cool crisp frosty day with ideal running conditions, or you might get a re run of last year. 

I  agree with Ben. The 4 loop format does make for easier logistics. 

I DNF 't the Winter 100 but a major factor was the forced course changes. If we had been able to do 4 different loops I recon I would have completed the event. As it was the repetition of loops killed of my motivation.  I also think a few descent hills make a course easier so am put off by the TP100.

Lastly a factor you may need to think about is do you prefer cold or hot events? I have a real problem with the heat and the shear volume of fluid I need to consume on summer events.