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Q: What is the Dominion Gas Ythan Challenge?
A: It’s a multi-terrain adventure race which starts and finishes at the
Meadows Sports Centre in Ellon, north of Aberdeen. The course takes
runners along a largely flat off-road path beside the river Ythan and
onto the beautiful Esslemont Estate, which is usually closed to the
public. Once on the estate, the going gets tougher underfoot and you can
expect a few surprises as the course includes a series of obstacles —
including the now famous (or possibly infamous!) straw bales and killer
hills and, of course, the river itself. We considered providing a course
map this year but have decided not to for two reasons — first because
most of the race is run on a private estate and our priority is to
maintain the landowner’s security and privacy, and secondly because it’s
part of the race day fun to speculate on what might lie ahead….
Q: How far is the race?
A: It’s approximately 10k, but because of the nature of the event the course is tricky to measure accurately — and anyway it changes slightly from year to year!
Q: In that case, how can I work out how long it will take me?
A: Have a look at results from previous years. This race attracts a wide
range of abilities, from elite club runners to first-timers. If you’re
looking for a good yardstick, 2008 runner-up Andrew Greig crossed the
line in 47:24 and finished the 2008 City of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10k in
36:15. Elaine Whyte finished the Dominion Gas Ythan Challenge as first
woman home in 52:40 and was runner-up in Aberdeen in 38:56.
Q: I’ve entered but
now I can’t run — can I swap with someone else?
A: Yes, provided you let us know as soon as possible — email us at
info@ythanchallenge.org.uk
with your details and the details of the person you’re swapping with.
They will need to complete an entry form — we’ll email this to you — and
return it to us with a covering note telling us who they’re swapping
with. There is no charge for this as we encourage those who can’t run to
let us know rather than just give their number to a mate. This is a
challenging event and it is essential we know exactly who is competing
on the day for important health and safety reasons. We take this so
seriously that anyone we discover running under someone else’s number
will — along with the runner they swapped with — be banned from the
event for life.
If you can’t run and you’ve no one to swap with, please let us know
anyway. Thanks.
Q: How do
we enter as a team?
A: You can enter as many runners as you like in a team with the first
three across the line to count. Please note, though, that you do have to
enter as a specific team — we won’t count three individual runners with
the same club affiliation as a team.
Q: What are the prize categories?
A: There are prizes for the first, second and third men and women
overall. There are also prizes for the first Male Vet (40-49), first
Male Supervet (50-59), first Female Vet
(35-44), first Female Supervet (45-59), and
first Male and Female Vintage (60+). There are also prizes for the first
open team, first uniform team and first corporate team, as well as spot
prizes.
Q: I’ve never done anything like this before — will I be OK?
A: Yes — as long as you’re reasonably fit, you’ve made a decent commitment to training and you’re confident you can run, or run/walk, without difficulty for at least 10k. The obstacles are there for fun — everyone who takes part tackles them in their own way. And remember you won’t be alone — there are plenty of other first-timers taking part!
Q: Can I swim the river bit?
A: No you can’t. The river isn’t consistently deep enough and there is a strong current. You must KEEP YOUR TRAINERS ON, stay upright and follow marshals’ instructions!
Q: What clothes should I wear?
A: Wear whatever you normally run in. This event is NOT suitable for fancy dress — sorry, but we won’t let you run unless you’re sensibly clothed! Avoid anything that flaps around your ankles and anything else that could impede you as you tackle the obstacles and the river. As with any race, you have to be the judge of what’s right for the weather on the day but because you will be getting wet, less is generally a better bet than more!
Q: What shoes should I wear?
A: Proper running shoes that you’ve broken in. Road shoes are fine as are trail shoes and fell shoes, such as Walshes or Inov8s. Leave the racers at home, though — you need a bit of support and grip. And please don’t run in lightweight aerobics shoes, tennis shoes, fashion trainers, boots or anything closing with Velcro — this race is tough underfoot and you need something that’s going to go the distance and stay on your feet!
Q: What happens if I can’t finish?
A: We have marshals right around the course and you’ll never be far from one. If you’re dropping out, you MUST tell the nearest marshal so that race control knows you’re no longer in the running. The marshal will know where to send you to await a lift back to the Meadows.
Q: But what about if I’m injured or I’m feeling unwell?
A: We have first-aiders based on the Esslemont estate and at the Meadows. They can be with you very quickly wherever you are in the race and in the unlikely event that you needed hospital treatment would work with race control to ensure your swift transfer. We would then make sure your SOS contact knew what was happening — that’s why we ask for a specific name and race day number!
Q: Can my family watch me on the Esslemont estate?
A: Sorry, but no. Only runners and race personnel are allowed on the estate. Friends and family are welcome to stay at the Meadows where there will be refreshments available.
Q: How many drinks stations are there?
A: There will be water at the finish line and one drinks station on the estate dispensing water only.
Q: And finally, are there any toilets?
A: Yes, at the Meadows and on the estate at the drinks station. There are also showers and lockers (20p) at the Meadows, but please note that property is left at the owner’s risk.
Got a question we haven’t answered? Feel free to email us at info@ythanchallenge.org.uk
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