Race info

Kit List

Click here to download the (text only) runner's kit list, common to all classes, as PDF or Word doc.

We get a number of questions about various items on the kit list, so we've put together this page to help answer some of those. All photos can be clicked on to view a larger image.

The initial kit check in Oban will be a thorough one, the marshals will need to see every single item in the kit list in good working order, for each runner, before your team is allowed to start the race. The kit checks on the islands will be much quicker, but you still need to ensure your entire kit is on hand; no one is ever happy about being sent back to their boat for a missing item.

This kit is set out for your own safety, and in the rare occurences when it has been needed it has proven it's efficacy. Please do not argue with the marshals about items in the kit; you will lose.

Hat or balaclava, and gloves or mitts. Fairly self-explanatory: keep those extremities warm.

Hat and gloves

 

3 tops – 1 long sleeved and 2 thermal tops of the wicking variety. As long as there is at least one long sleeved and two thermal shirts, you can have these in whatever combinations you choose. For instance, a long sleeved thermal top is completely acceptable.

Short sleeved wicking top

Long sleeved wicking top

Long sleeve thermal top

 

Long trousers – tracksters, tracksuit bottoms or thermal long johns. We've even seen pyjama bottoms. Hey, if that's what makes you happy.

Thermal tights

 

Adequate footwear – fell shoes or trail shoes only. The tread on your shoes will be checked. If you really want to impress the marshals, turn them over when placing them on the table. Also spray them with deodorizer.

Running shoes

 

Waterproofs – proofed cagoule/jacket with long sleeves and head covering and overtrousers. If you have ones that roll up in an impressively small bundle be warned: we will ask you to unpack it. We have to check for the hood. But then we will be suitably impressed by it's tiny size.

Waterproof cagoule Wateproof overtrousers

 

Head torch – light weight LED with spare batteries or Petzl type with alkaline battery with spare batteries & bulb. It's up to you if you want to carry two torches, or a torch with spare batteries/bulb. Marshals at the Oban kit check will ask you to turn your headlamp on; it would be exceptionally awesome if you could not blind us whilst doing so.

Headtorches

 

Blizzard Bag. Please note that starting in 2017, sleeping bags with bivvy sacks will no longer be accepted. Blizzard bags are the accepted industry standard in safety; and they are small and light and much easier to carry up and down hills.

Blizzard pack

 

Compass & whistle. Many rucksacks these days seem to have whistles built in, which is great. We've seen compasses built in/on things as well. As long as they both work, it's all good.

Compass and a whistle

 

Route maps – a full set of route maps for each runner competing, should be presented at the kit check at Oban, however only the map for each island route needs to be carried on that island – e.g. only carry Mull Map when on Mull. Route maps should be laminated or carried in a waterproof carry case. Which brand of map you carry is up to you, though it has to encompass the entire route for the run. It's really not a bad idea to have more than the route on your maps, in case you get off course somehow. Laminated, in a carry case, doesn't matter so long as it's weather proofed. At the kit check in Oban we need to see all of your maps (one full set per runner), but thereafter you will only need the map for the section you are about to run. If you're an All Rounder or Youth team, we need to see a full set of route maps per run section, as opposed to per runner... so, for instance, the person running just the Mull leg does not need to have the Jura and Arran maps, as long as the team has sufficient maps for all the legs. You do not need a route map for the Oban section of the race.

Maps

 

Emergency rations – 250gms of chocolate or equivalent. We need to see at least 250 grams of chocolate or gels, jelly babies, nougat, dried fruit, etc... You can eat your rations during the race, that's why they're there. Just make sure you start each island with a minimum of 250 grams. Marshals will be happy to assist in the disposal of extra chocolate and jelly babies. Especially jelly babies.

Emergency rations

 

Pencil & paper. Yes, really. We get asked about this one a lot. Two small items, but they can come in very useful. If you lose a tag, for instance, you can make one to leave at the checkpoints to show you've been there. If there's an incident on the mountain, you can write coordinates. You can leave notes, you can take notes. We specify pencil because they're far more water/weatherproof than pens.

Pencil and paper

 

First aid kit (in date) – one first aid kit per team including one large wound dressing, two triangular bandages and three elastic bandages (not plasters). Please ensure that all runners know who is carrying the first aid kit at all times. All first aid items must be in date. If you wish to carry a more extensive kit, by all means do. This is just the bare minimum.

First aid kit

One large wound dressing. Some of these will actually say 'large wound dressing' on the packet, some will merely have a measurement like ours here. What we're looking for is a sterile, non-medicated, non-adhesive dressing. These should have an expiry date clearly marked on them; dressings with no visible date will be assumed expired.

Large wound dressing

Three elastic bandages, such as a crepe bandage or flow wrapped open woven badage show below. Plasters are not what we're looking for, you need to be able to wrap these around.

Elastic bandages

Two triangular bandages. We do not need to see expiry dates on these, as they are non-sterile and do not expire.

Triangular bandages

For further information on the use of these items, this St. John's page is quite helpful.


Image:product

Runner looking for a boat? Boat looking for runners?

Click here to find race matches.


Race rules

Quick links to download the race rules.

Race routes

Quick links to view the race routes.

Contact Us Facebook link Twitter

For all questions including entries, awards dinner, and other general enquiries click here.

Loading