WELL DONE TO ALL WHO TOOK PART!!

RESULTS ARE HERE

ONLINE ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED!

If you plan to enter please contact [email protected]

Working in partnership with the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, No Fuss Events bring you the inuagural Cowal Way Chase, a 72km gravel road ride to challenge the toughest and most seasoned of athletes, and a great distance for those weekend warriors looking for a more relaxed day out. This will run in conjunction with the Ultra Run.

Please see seperate page for entries.

With nearly 4000ft of ascent, the route will take you over some varied terrain with hard packed paths, loose gravel and slightly technical forest roads, giving you views (No Fuss sunshine guaranteed) over some of the best scenery that one of Scotlands greatest long distance trails has to offer along the Cowal Way.

Info

Cowal Way Chase Ultra Run/Bike 2017

Race Information

Race Date: Saturday 21st October 2017

Start Time: Run-10.30hrs / Bike- 11.00hrs at Forestry office Glenbranter

Event briefing, including safety information and any last minute changes. It is every participant’s responsibility to ensure you attend/listen to this briefing.
Event number. This should be attached securely and unobscured and should not be altered or tampered with in any way.
Timing chip. These are specific to your event number and should be kept with you at all times. If you have not used these before, you will be shown how they work. All chips must be returned after the event and, as they are highly technical, a £20 surcharge will be applied if this is not the case.
Any self-supported drop bags should be handed over to event organisers at this point.

Registration:

Friday 20th October 16.00hrs – 19.30hrs Forestry Office Glenbranter

Saturday 21st October 08.00hrs – 09.30hrs Forestry Office Glenbranter

Start Location: Glenbranter Forestry office

Finish Location: Portavadie Marina

Info:

1. Bus Transfer will be available at Portavadie Pier on race morning 21st leaving at 0800hrs to Glenbranter forestry office (Time 30min approx)

2. Water/Cola/Bananas will be provided at Glendaruel Village Hall checkpoint.

3. Drop bags will be available at: Glendaruel village Hall half way point and relay change over.

4. Cut-off times will be at Glendaruel Village Hall at 1430hrs, and the road crossing on the B8000 at 1700hrs.

5. Unfortunately we are unable to host the Ceilidh due to a wedding being held in Portavadie, all other facilities are still available to us, including the restaurant/bar areas

Race Day Schedule:

0800hrs - 0900hrs: Drop bags at Glenbranter Forestry Office

Drop bags should be clearly labelled with your race number; also you can drop off your change of clothes bag for when you finish at Portavadie. You will be able to pick this up in the main marquee at the finish line, this is mainly for small backpacks etc, bearing in mind we are not responsible for any valuables left in your bags.

Appropriate Bike

Not really suitable for a road bike, mountain bike or cx bike are ideal.

Please make sure you have puncture kit, spare inner tubes etc

Kit

1. An emergency foil blanket.

2. A fully charged and switched on mobile phone with Race Control number stored. 07867977616

3. A waterproof jacket

Litter

Please don’t drop any litter on the trail! Please use the official litter bins which will be

Located within the vicinity of each checkpoint.

What are the rules about gates?

If you pass through an open gate, leave it open. If the gate is closed, please close it behind you

Support runners

Support runners are allowed

Walking/running poles Yes poles are permitted.

Rules on the use of an iPod/MP3 player? Sorry NO NO NO

What should I do if I come across an injured runner/rider?

You absolutely MUST stop and try to help, however at all times please ensure you do not put your own safety at risk. It is very important that we all look after each other out there. If a runner or biker is seriously injured then please call 999 first, then Race Control (this number will already be in your phone) If you have no mobile phone signal please wait until another runner/rider arrives to assist then

Run on until you get a signal. If the runner can’t move and is getting cold please use your and other

Runners’/riders emergency foil blankets to keep the injured runner/rider warm.

What do I do if I'm timed out, or if I decide to withdraw from the race?

If you withdraw from the race at one of the checkpoints, please let a marshal know you are stopping,

And make sure you give them your name and your race number. If you decide to withdraw from the

Race between checkpoints and have your support crew pick you up somewhere, please phone Race

Control ( 07867977616 ) and let us know that you're okay.

Please DO NOT simply exit the race and go home without telling marshals. We don't want to have to

call out mountain rescue to go looking for you, especially if you're already sitting at home with your

feet up.

If you withdraw from the race, and you don't have a support crew, sweeper vehicles at the

Checkpoint will be able to drive you on to the finish at Portavadie. However, this may be some time

After the checkpoint finally closes, so you could have a wait of several hours. There will be first aid

Personnel at every checkpoint to look after runners, so make yourself known to them and they'll

Take care of you until the checkpoint closes.

Finish:

The race finishes at Protavadie Marina, where you will get soup/ tea/coffee, and we have separate shower and changing facilities for all competitors, this is located in the main marina block close to the finish line. In you’re goodie bag there will be a wristband which will enable you to use the swimming pools between 2-5pm. approximately between 5-6.30pm the Buffet and Presentation will take place.

Parking

There are numerous areas of free parking Glenbranterand Glendaruel Village Hall and Portavdie Marina. You can camp/campervan overnight at Glenbranter Forestry Picnic Area, where there is toilets available 24/7

Entries

Entry for The Cowal Way Chase includes;

Event T shirt
Event goody bag
Hot food at finish
Transport from Portavadie to start point at Glenbranter
Digital timing from SI entries
Way marked course and GPX route, with marshals at logistical points
Support stations
Full medical team back up
Entertainment and 2 course buffet at Portavadie resort in evening

Support Stations

There will be two stations available for riders. Although this is a self-supported event, each station will aim to provide;

Water
Energy drinks
Snack foods such as bananas, cake bars, jelly babies etc

The food and support provided by these stations should not be the only form of support, and everyone should aim to carry enough food and spares to complete the event, and these points are easily accessible to participant’s support team vehicles. For anyone competing as self-supported, drop bags may be submitted for transfer to support stations. All bags provided at the sign on should be clearly marked with competitor name/form of identification.

Course Support

Although there will be support available if required, all entrants understand they must be capable of completing the course self-supported. In the case of bikes, they must be in a serviced and useable condition, with riders carrying the necessary tools/equipment to undertake rudimentary repairs.

Timing

The event will be timed from start to finish. Split times will not be taken at support points however, competitors will be checked in as a safety measure. Anyone not wishing to continue/complete the event must inform event staff/marshal as soon as possible.

Course

You can view a fly through video of the course here and you can see the route map HERE

Please note that cyclist do the loop twice as in flythrough video.

The route will be marked and signed and route signage will always take precedence over the GPS track to allow for any last minute routing changes.

General information about the route

The race begins at Glenbranter forestry office, the route is the same for both runners & cyclists up to the forestry road junction about a mile from Portavadie, where the cyclists will start their 1 or 2 loop section of the course (this will depend on circumstances/timings/weather). When you leave Glenbranter, you will be on the forestry road all the way through to just about 1km before Glendaruel Village Hall. This whole section is smooth & fast for both running & cycling. The course starts with a steady climb out of Glenbranter for about 3 miles, which will take roughly about 40mins. This is where the route opens up, but don’t get carried away, enjoy the view and save some energy for the 2nd half, as this is where the surface changes on the haulage route from Ormidale to Portavadie, where the forest road construction is a lot rougher, certainly for the bikers, and a bit of caution is advised, and a wider chunkier tyre with a minimum 12/30 cassette at the back, as you will definitely be on the small chain ring for the whole of this section. The course is a game of 2 halves, the 1st being fast, smooth and challenging, and a bit of caution required on the last 2 miles descent into Glendaruel Village Hall, the 2nd half is certainly harder going underfoot for both bike & runners, my advice is for the relay teams to put the stronger runner on the 2nd leg, and for the bikes to keep some energy for this leg especially the loop section, as this is certainly technical and again caution especially on the downhill bits is advised.

Road Crossing

The 1st road crossing will be when you come out of the forestry road at Dooletter Glendaruel, onto the A886 Glendaruel road, where you will turn left, follow the road for about 150m, then cross over onto the old pathway to the Village Hall about 750m away. Please follow all marshalls instructions at all locations, especially when you are coming onto any roads. When you head out from the Village Hall, you will be on the old pathway that leads to the turnoff to the Glendaruel Caravan Park, where you will pick up what is called the old Westglen road, this is a quiet single track country road, which you will follow for about 1 mile, which will take you through the Clachan of Glendaruel Village, and will bring you back up to the road junction at the A886, where you turn right and follow for about 200m, cross over and pick up the old Ballochandrain Road, again a quiet single track road, follow this road for about 300m, crossing over the humpback bridge, and then crossing over pedestrian wooden bridge, which leads to Waulkmill road junction, turning right onto the A8003, stay on this road for 200m, where you will turn right onto the forest road that will take you to over to Tighnabruaich, coming out at B8000, then cross over to forestry road that will take you to Portavadie, and the loop section for the bike. All road crossings/junctions will be marshalled and signposted.

Underfoot

The route is approximately 95% off-road with just a few short sections on tarmac. The off-road

sections are mostly wide forestry paths and some single track, and although quite technical with approximately 1,000 metres of ascent.

Who's Coming

This is a list of entries for this event. If you think you should be here and you are not then let us know.

Bike

Helen Aidan - Helen Aidan
2)

Heather McLellan - Heather McLellan
3)

CCCCCC - Carole Morris
4)

Ali McCrossan - Ali McCrossan
5)

Kate Taylor - Kate Taylor
6)

Grass Fed Salmon - Christine Dent
7)

jk - Katie Marwick
8)

Kate&Charli - Charlotte Docherty-Shortt
9)

Fort William Fools - Lesley Strang
10)

Fort William Fools - Michala Douglas
11)

Purple Haze - Lorna Ahlquist
12)

Don't know what I'm doing mtbc - Darren Edwards
13)

Tim Lawrence - Tim Lawrence
14)

Paul Bailey - Paul Bailey
15)

Spicy Bikers - Tom Jenkins
16)

Michael B Preece - Michael Preece
17)

Deveron - Robin Gatenby
18)

CCCCCC - Phil Dalgleish
19)

Carnethy - Andrew Patience
20)

The Flying Paddy - David Cashman
21)

Wcc - Alan Murray
22)

Chris Moss - Chris Moss
23)

HERBIE'S HILLBILIES.... - Roddy Weir
24)

AH - Andrew Hutcheson
25)

KINTYRE WAY SLOGGERS - Robert Semple
26)

Matthew Evans - Matthew Evans
27)

Alan Forsyth - Alan Forsyth
28)

Stevie Bulloch - Stevie Bulloch
29)

Allan Cameron - Allan Cameron
30)

Graeme Taylor - Graeme Taylor
31)

No More Excuses - david emery
32)

Stephen McShannon - Stephen McShannon
33)

Rocco Rides - Ross MacDonald
34)

Grass Fed Salmon - Zeljko Patljak
35)

Mark Taylor - Mark Taylor
36)

Sylvain - Sylvain Bau
37)

VC Moulin - addy pope
38)

Muddy Goats - Charles Spencer
39)

Muddy Goats - William Spencer
40)

i-cycles - Angus Hamilton
41)

Ted - Ted Leeming
42)

Wheezy Old Bloke - Chris McCahill
43)

JK - Jon Shutt
44)

Spicy Bikers - Arwel Williams
45)

wcc - Brian Mccorquodale
46)

Team Ayrshire - ian mcalindon
47)

Gintas - Gintas Sasnauskas
48)

Rule #5 - Graham Smart
49)

Dribblers - Mark Bamford
50)

The 2 Stooges - Robert Douglas
51)

Tomo 2 Scoops - Steve Thomson
52)

Rule #5 - William Blyth
53)

Kintyre Way Sloggers - Simon Freeman
54)

Team Walshie - Matthew Walsh
55)

Potato - David Gibson
56)

Orange Bikes - Sean McFarlane
57)

Dominic Sharkey - Dominic Sharkey
58)

Andrew Ferguson - Andrew Ferguson
59)

Andrew Ferguson - Andrew Ferguson
60)

Twa Bog Lowpers - William Turner
61)

Twa Bog Lowpers - Archie Johnstone
62)

Me myself snd I - Ian Clunie
63)

Rule#5 - Andy Malloch
64)

Dell Bhoys - michael fell
65)

Team MW - Mark Winton
66)

Dribblers - William McAllan
67)

Rule #5 - Stephen Webster
68)

Carer for stoogie 2 - John Disher
69)

cowal mountainbike club - ross gault
70)

Happy Anniversary! - David Mawer
71)

Baw Baged - Gordon Turner
72)

Baw Baged - Mags Turner
73)

JK - Kim Hamer

Rules

The Terms and Conditions detailed below apply to all entrants participating in The Cowal Way Chase. Completion of an entry form or purchase of an entry by every participant acknowledges acceptance of these Terms and Conditions by the participant.

Transport will be available for those who do not have support teams on course. This will go from the finish at Portavadie to the start at Glenbranter. This is person only. Any bikes/kit must be dropped off at the start point (marshals/No Fuss staff will be there so any belongings will not be unattended) by participants prior to making their way to Portavadie for transport back. It is the participants responsibilty to ensure they are at the transport on time for leaving. Final leaving times will be advised at registration on Friday evening.
Participants are required to attend a start line briefing and read briefing notes and sign to confirm that they agree to abide by the instructions given.
All participants must be self-supported/have support teams. The event organisers and staff are not responsible for your preparedness whilst out on the course.
Riders should ensure their bike is in a serviceable state to complete the full distance. A standard road bike is NOT suitable for this event.
Each participant, upon signing the registration form, agrees that they are physically and mentally capable of riding the distance they have chosen. If, during the event, they decide to change their route and distance, then all consequences of this action are theirs.
If the situation arises that you are in an accident and are not capable of making the decision to call the emergency services, participants agree that a member of the organisation or a member of the public/other participant may call for them.
At any time pre, during, and post event, participants must conduct themselves in a manner that does not discredit themselves or the event organisers. They must be considerate to other public users of the course at all times.
Participants are expected to respect the countryside that the event travels through. Anyone stopping for a comfort break are asked to do so discretely and appropriately and not to cause any offence to local residents or other users. Participants are expected not to drop or leave any litter on any part of the route and to dispose of it responsibly at an appropriate place or bin. Anyone found littering will be disqualified from the event
There may be sections of public road included within the course. You must obey all Highway Code rules.
Riders whilst participating in the event must do so wearing a helmet complying with latest EN1078, ANSI Z90/4 or SNELL standards. Any rider not conforming with this term will not be allowed to start or will be removed from the event if started.
The organisers reserve the right to postpone or cancel the event should access to the event or sufficient portions of the course be deemed too dangerous due to severe adverse weather conditions.
All riders are covered by third party insurance for the duration of the event. The cost of this is included in your entry fee. In addition, No Fuss Events are covered by public liability insurance.
Organisers cannot take responsibility for loss or damage of personal possessions during the event.
During the event there will be warning signs at appropriate points on the trails or roads used for this event. Absence of these signs does not signal there are no dangers approaching and it is the individual rider’s responsibility to make a decision regarding whether to ride a section or not. The marking of the route does not necessarily indicate that the trail or road is rideable and the participant is deemed to make their own decision about whether to proceed on bike, foot or not at all.
Each participant hereby grants to No Fuss Events an exclusive, absolute and irrevocable worldwide assignment in perpetuity in the photographs/film/video/electronic representations and/or sound recordings of the participant obtained at the event and grants to No Fuss Events the right to use and publish such content in any and all media. The participant hereby releases No Fuss Events from any and all liability from such use and promotion. The participant hereby authorises the reproduction, sale, copyright, exhibit, broadcast, electronic storage and/or distribution of said photographs/film/video tapes/electronic representations and/or sound recordings without limitation at the discretion of No Fuss Events. The participant specifically waives any right to any compensation they may have for appearing in any of the photographs/film/video/electronic representations and/or sound recordings of the participant at a No Fuss Events event.
In the event that a participant fails to complete the course for any reason they agree to return to the event finish or contact an event staff member marshal before the close of the event. Not doing so will mean that a search may be organised and the subsequent cost will be billed to the rider.
Entrants may apply for a 100% refund (up to) 6 weeks prior to the event and a 50% refund (up to) 4 weeks prior to the event. There will be no refunds or transfer of entry after a date 4 weeks before the event i.e. 23rd September 2017. All refunds will incur a £5 administrative fee. Entries are non transferable.
An acceptable charge (£20) for any loss or damage caused by a rider to timing equipment will be made.