Winter 100

Now the NDW's done, better start thinking about this one.

I'm pretty familiar with the first 50 but whats the second half like? Worth recceing or is it easy enough to follow?

Legs 3 and 4 are going to have more ascent and descent than legs 1 and 2.  This is going to make it very easy to start out too fast, and then hit the hills when your legs are knackered.  This course would allow for a fast time, but the issue of pacing will be have to be considered carefully.   

Is it noticably more ascent? I may have to try to get up and recce as I have not run any of the Ridgeway or any of the Thames Path.

East Spur (Thames Path): Streatley to Reading and return: Distance 25 miles. Elev Gain/Loss: 1200ft/1200ft.
West Spur (Thames Path): Streatley to Little Wittenham and return: Distance 25 miles. Elev Gain/Loss: 435ft/435ft.  
North Spur (Ridgeway): Streatley to St. Botolphs Church and return: Distance 25 miles. Elev Gain/Loss: 1303ft/1303ft.  
South Spur: (Ridgeway) Streatley to Chain Hill Monument and return: Distance 25 miles. Elev Gain/Loss: 902ft/902ft.
Total: Distance 100 miles. Elev Gain/Loss: 3840ft/3840ft.

Hard to believe the trip to Reading has a bigger elevation gain than the leg to Wantage! There is one point where you are quite high above the Thames, so I guess it's having to get up there twice.

Of the 3 legs I've ran before, the South spur would be the trickiest to navigate. There are quite a few paths off the Ridgeway and a couple of turns where you need to see a sign. In daylight you'd be fine, if it's dark you'd just need to look round a bit more. Probably not worth going out of your way to recce. I've not ran the North spur yet but imagine it's probably the hardest of the 4.

Andy if i am able to do only one recce it will be the last leg as i will expect to be on my own by that time and my head is usually all over the place.

Interesting stats shawk i reckon i'll have to try and get a recce in. Not quite sure when i'll fit it in though.

Am I correct in thinking that each spur is out and back along the same route ? 

 How many checkpoints apart from the central hub checkpoint?

Ian I think there are 15 checkpoints but their locations haven't been named yet.

Yep Ian, the legs are out and back. As I understand it, there are two checkpoints per leg, one around halfway that you visit out and back, and one at the turn-around.

In theory that should half the potential nav blunders!

Dill, having now done all 4 sections I would recommend the North spur of the Ridgeway as the one to recce. Signage for some of that leg is poor to non-existant and a lot of the trail is quite narrow so it's not an obvious route. The South spur to Wantage is very well signposted and the track very well established, so as long as you are broadly aware of the route you can't go wrong.

Thanks shawk I will  try to do the North and South section in September. It really does help having some sort of idea where you are going on race day.

I'm still not running since NDW. Had horrendous achilles tendonitis during and after the race. Went out for a five miler a couple of weeks ago and ended up hobbling home. Physio reckons i was bloody lucky it didn't snap.

Anyway no running untill Sept 3rd as per phiz. Cycling, swimming and on the cross trainer plus stretching exercises 4 times a day. Dull Dull Dull..

Training 2 hours a day but just doesn't hit the spot like running. Only another week to go.

Afternoon, I'm in for this one. Looking to recce the latter stages. Am I right in thinking that you just follow the Ridgeway route for the North & South spurs? I've ran the Ridgeway before so shouldn't get lost if it's the same route. I'm normally a just wing it type of runner but don't fancy getting lost on this one.

it is defo compulsory and will be checked, as will all other parts of kit

The format of this race (four spurs) has clearly been devised to allow participants regular access to drop bags, and facilitate rapid extraction of any participant who gets into trouble.  People should be giving considerable thought to what clothing they will bring. 

On top of what is mandated, I would suggest at least three base-layer tops be available to you.  For the night section, I would suggest having a 100 weight fleece available, or better still a vapour rise smock if you have one. 

I'm expecting a very thorough kit check at the W100 after what happened at the TP100.

I would say that an ordinary 100 weight fleece would be fine. 

Polartec Powerstretch tops would work very well for this sort of thing, because they have a high warmth/weight ratio ans are exceptionally breathable, but they can be expensive. 

If you own something like a Rab Vapour Rise jacket for hillwalking, then it might be worth bringing it along for the night section. 

I have a smelly hanson half zip long sleeve jersey. I've used it for a few years and is a perfect breathable warm layer. Usually wear a light t under it and if it gets to -10ish i may consider putting my coat on as well.

It will have to be Arctic conditions for me to wear trousers and ditch my shorts the cold really helps with pain managment in my legs.