FIXTURES

Contents:- 2012 - Trail Run description

Note:- ALL past reports and photos can be found in the 'RESULTS' section - click.

Other Useful Fixture Lists

• For a list of races other than the above, see www.scottishathletics.org.uk
• For a full list of hill races, see www.shr.uk.com

Fixtures 2012

Trail Run Description

The trail running series is held over the winter months, on local North Highland trails and are mainly traffic free runs.

The series commences in late October and the events take place approximately every other week, making allowances for the Christmas and New Year break, and the Easter holidays. In total there are 12 runs planned. The run distances start at 4.5 miles steadily progress through to the longest run at Loch More in April at 13.5 miles. This makes it ideal winter training for those wishing to enter the Inverness Half Marathon in March, and the spring marathon events.

For event run in excess of 5 miles, there will be a shorter run available. These will generally be about 5 miles, but may increase slightly as the season progresses, but will be kept to less than 6 miles. Most of the shorter runs will be out-and-back runs.

A list of all the runs will be emailed to all NHH members prior to the first run. The runs will also be publicised on the club website and also listed as events on the NHH Facebook page. If for any reason (e.g. weather, road conditions, etc) an event needs to be cancelled or changed and publicised via the same channels – whenever possible, a decision will be made by the race organizers by 6 pm on the day before (Saturday). All the runs (apart from season finale) will start at 10am, when the first runner will set off (see details of handicap system below). All runners must be registered by 0955 hours to give the organisers enough time to set off the runners.

The events are started on a handicap which is allied to competitor’s current average pace, and so becomes a moving average over the whole series allowing good competitive racing with every chance of the slower paced runners crossing the line first! Anyone who has not run the trail series before will be allocated a handicap based on either a recent 10K time (or similar) or, as a last resort, your first trial run time. Each runner’s handicap will be re-calculated and adjusted as necessary after every run.

A risk assessment is carried out for each event, which will be available electronically prior to the event (sent out via email, with signed paper copies available at the event). Members are required to sign that they have read the risk assessment.

The runs will be well marked but there will be NO marshals out on the course. You are responsible for your own navigation, but normally there will be other runners a couple of minutes away from you.

For NHH members, the results will be used to construct a league table based on finishing position (i.e. handicap) and based on net time (i.e. pace). In each case 100 points will be awarded for 1st place, 99 points for 2nd place and so on. Your overall points for the series will be based on your six best results. Prizes will be awarded in both handicap and pace categories, based on 1st/ 2nd / 3rd male and female. If you assist with organizing an event you will be awarded 100 points (for one trail run only!). There will also be a similar league table for those that take part in the shorter runs (handicap only), with prizes for 1st male and 1st female.

The trail runs are organized by North Highland Harrier members and each runner participating is expected to make a £2 donation per trail run to cover refreshments, equipment and prizes/ mementos. Non NHH members are also welcome to participate, on the same basis, but:

• will not be covered by the club insurance and MUST sign a declaration that they are taking part entirely at their own risk;
• will not be eligible for the memento;
• will not be eligible for prizes based on the league table results.

All results will be published on the club website, along with some photos if possible.

NHH members that participate (including organising of a run) in 3 or more runs will be eligible for a memento of the trial series. This is likely to be a t-shirt or item of similar value – to be confirmed.

There is a final (shorter, ~6 mile) run at the end of April - it is planned that this run will be followed by a social event at The Blue Door Café at Thurso Camp Site (to be confirmed). It is intended to present the prizes and mementos at this event.