Race Review Cameron Ultra Trail 2016 25 kms.

EVENT. NAME: Cameron Ultra Trail 2016 25 km

VENUE: Tanah Rata, Pahang

DATE: 8 Oct 2016 Time: 06:15

Headline Event Owners: Cyclic Sports and Team Pacat

Event Organising Company: Cyclic Sports and Team Pacat

Event Director: Hazemi Hamidi

Race Director: Arman Arshad

Timing company: Check Point Spot Asia 11km and 25km participants were timed using the Mylaps bib tag system, while for 50km and 100km participants were timed using the Racetagpro wristband system

Registration company: Transpay Solution

THE EVENT

The inaugural running of this event week-end threw up many a learning point, predominantly for the participants rather than for the very experienced event companies. The 25 km distance was just one of four on offer. Encompassing distances from 100 km, for the very adventurous, down to an 11 km entry level event the week-ends festival of running was extremely well supported.

The kit collection, compulsory item check and event briefing, which was compulsory for the 50 & 100 km distances, is an area that will need to be looked at for the future. It would seem that ninety-nine percent of the runners turned up shortly before the briefing, overwhelming the system. I had collected my kit some two hours earlier and all went smoothly, but, as I left after the briefing the queue for collection was still out of the door.

I purposely arrived early at the starting ‘village’ to meet up with and see off those facing the 50 km distance, a dogged band of around 600 competitors, it also gave me the opportunity to soak up some of the great atmosphere.

The race got away spot on time in an orderly fashion setting off through Tanah Rata [1440m] to our forest entry point and the start of our first climb of the day,

up Gunung Jasar [1684m].

The heavy rain of the previous day that had lasted until the early hours ensured us of an interesting and exacting experience. Tree-root after tree-root and narrow winding tracks saw headlamps and blinkers piercing the early morning darkness as already burning legs pushed their way to the first summit. No respite as the steep technical descent was even more taxing, yet thrilling.

A section of flatter track and the road towards the second big climb of the run, Gunung Berembun [1825m], gave the opportunity to stretch the legs and pick up some speed. Hitting what seemed like the side of a mountain, oh yes, that’s just what it was, dramatically slowed the pace. A brief moment at the summit in the brightness of the morning allowed for an impressive view of the Cameron’s, but, no time for sight-seeing, down the other side towards the vegetable gardens, possibly the most treacherous section of the entire route, and onto the BOH tea plantation road. The relentless, winding, climbing road to CP4 and the 25 km U-turn, the road that saw many a good athlete reduced to walking much of it’s length. But, at the turnaround we back-tracked our route down that same relentless climb, unabandoned speed became the order of the day.

The return section through the vegetable gardens and along the narrow track back to Robinson’s Falls was a nightmare, there was hardly a passing point on the entire section and every opposing meeting of exhausted souls became a stopping point for both parties to ensure safe passing. A change of route here would greatly improve the enjoyment, and safety, of the run.

One point I would like to make, on the section approaching CP3 at the falls I collected five two-litre bottles from the trail. Marshals should not allow participants to take bottles on a no-bottle event as there is only ever one place that the empty will end up.

Around the falls and onto the finishing section of tarmac back to the welcoming arms of the finishing arch after an exhilarating effort on a demanding course, I am advised by the organisors that around half of all participants did not finish, a testament to the toughness of the course and to those who completed their distance.

Now bedecked with finishing medal and a smile as wide as a valley it’s into the refreshment marquee to disappointing choices of food and hydration, the only real disappointment of the whole event.

Many thanks to Checkpoint Spot for their very efficient posting of the full results, an excellent service as usual. But a little prompt to the organisers, even if it is not possible for the event could we please at least have the results Age-Grouped.

https://youtu.be/IW_265Figms

EVENT SCORE CARD SUMMARY

PRE RACE.

Entry and information:

Event information and updates 10/10. Contact details: Facebook, Web-site, Phone, E-mail available 8/10.

Value of entry price at RM 150 + RM 9 payment fee. 20/20.

Race registration and kit collection: Collection point, ease of collection. 12/20. 50/60

Race site Facilities:

Space at the venue 10/10. Toilets, number and condition 6/10.

Start area staffing and information 10/10.

Parking and transport: 8/10. 34/40

Care of Competitors:

Starting time, timing and control 10/10. Medical facilities at start/finish and on course 17/20. 27/30

THE RACE.

Organisation:

Course management: Traffic control, space, signage, difficulty, enjoyment factor 36/40.

Marshaling quantity and quality 20/20. Feed stations number, staffing and stocking 18/20. 74/80

POST RACE.

Finish line ease of medal/shirt/food collection, choice of food and hydration 7/10.

Resting and cool down areas 10/10.

Top placings posting board, announcements and prize ceremony 8/10. 25/30

AFTER EVENT

Results 18/20.

Post event communication 8/10. 26/30 Total 236/270

My overall score for this event is 86.9%

An absolutely fantastic score made even better for this being the inaugural event, everyone from the event and race directors down to each and every volunteer should be so very proud of what they have achieved.

Would I return to this event: Yes ! Next year I will do better.

https://youtu.be/neTtz4SiDFI

Happy Running

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

My personal race.

5:06:24 [27.49 kms]

5th. of 64 Veteran [40 plus]. 14th. of 312 Overall [12th. Male]

I would like to be able to say that I could not have done better, but, I am sure that I will next year. I had two bad sections, the first on the road up to the U-turn where I lost form and momentum and the second on the return section to Robinson’s Falls where the stop, start, of passing destroyed any rhythm or speed that I could have mustered.

I also had a mystery wander between CP3 and CP4 adding almost two-and-a-half kilometres to my distance. This could only have been of my own doing as the entire course was brilliantly marked throughout.

One small disappointment, a podium finish without a momentum does not feel like a podium finish. I received a nice prize of a very expensive body treatment, which I have donated to my entire pit-crew, Dee, but no momentum. I personally would have been happier to receive a plaque, as fist to third received, rather than a prize, or even that only the top three were presented with prizes.

One big bonus is that my On Running Venture trail-shoes cope brilliantly with the transition from trail to road.