THE MIGHTY DEERSTALKER 2016 review

I heard and read a lot of hype about the Mighty Deerstalker (run by RatRace) over the last couple of years. 'Toughest race ever'. 'Insanely hard terrain'. 'Brutal hills'. All key phrases that trigger that insane part of my brain to take over and thus I was eager to give it a go this year.

Signing up for the race using ratraceentries.com was very easy to do. Having you create an account actually worked really well, as it was easy to go and update details, purchase add-ons such as camping and parking, whenever required. They could have been a little more clear at the start however that Camping tickets were per individual and not per tent.

5 of us were running the race as a team, looking to sadistically enjoy ourselves and see what the race had in store.

Parking was good and very well marshalled, with the price pre-event being very reasonable.

Registration was relatively easy and painless. One of our team had forgotten his wallet and ID, but for a couple of quid and verification, it was easily sorted out. We all pre-booked camping tickets, and to register ourselves for this we had to go to another tent and again show ID to get the necessary wrist band to enter camping site. Not a very big deal in grand scheme of things, but the process wasn't made clear. And when carrying a tone of stuff, and putting ID away again, it was a little cumbersome process. But off to the campsite we went, and it was a little alarming how little space they allocated for tents. The campsite we were in was soon expanded as it was filling fast. Too fast it would seem. It was soon announced that there was another field for campers to pitch up in. But most, by this time, were set up, leaving one cramped campsite and one pretty spacious one. A tad better signage next year might help with this. 

Wave and race announcements were continuous and informative and we were always updated to when to head towards starting pen. Once there it was a quick check of timing chip and head torch, a short warm up and away we went.

The race itself was great. Well marshalled and signed throughout. We were in wave 2 and started in the middle of the crowed as we were not gunning for a lightening time. It wasn't long before we came to the first of many points where the crowd slowed to a walk/halt. With a lot of the natural obstacles and routes requiring single file to get through. The terrain however, is EPIC. Ever changing under foot. The hills are exactly what I heard they were, brutal and unforgiving. Seemingly going on forever. The views from near the top of the first hill were spectacular, as it was still light. It was jaw dropping scenery and worth the price of the race alone. The further we went up, the darker it got. Going downhill of the first hill was awesome. At some points you could just let go and go for it. Other parts you had to really watch your footing and take some risks. The little disco on the way down the first hill was awesome, and really lifted everyone's spirits, and we were only sad there weren't more little things like that. After that we could see another amazing sight.... the other hill. The lights of the runners already on it, lit a gorgeous path to the heavens.

After the first hill was completed, we enjoyed a good stint of flat running, water wading and even some road running, which was filled with awesome locals giving their support and encouragement, which again just made the race so much more bearable and enjoyable.

Hill number 2 starts with a tease! I big tease. You conquer a long punishing hill, to be met with a sharp decline. Marshals at the bottom saying 'down to the right'... which was met with many a 'huh... isn't this the second tough hill?'. But a sharp turn left and we were on path to what was closer to a climb than a run. Up we scrambled to a daunting scree slope, with very loose rocks under foot. A quick glance right was enough to make anyone scared of heights. A choice of left or right lay before us and I chose left. Now I have heard differing opinions to which was more difficult or quicker, but damn, left went near vertically up, and it quickly became a spider-man crawl upwards. Again my sadistic little brain loved this section and enjoyed the physical and mental toughness required to conquer it. It was great see everyone help and motivate each other up this section.

After the Scree Hill, it was time for a long and demanding downhill. Steep, muddy and even down right dangerous, it was another exciting part of the course. Once at the bottom and back through the little town, which seemed even more populated with support, it was a couple of miles home straight, via some more mud, river crossings, deep water wade. The run along the water was stunning, another highlight. The crescent moon and stars shining bright, it just felt Epic.

Coming to the finish, down a inflatable water slide, was a little anti-climatic as it was a pretty tame slide, having to run down the last part of it. But regardless it felt great to cross the finish line to a great medal, a curly wurly and great team photo.

We were quick to our tents to change so we could go and enjoy the 'Beerstalker' tent and get some grub. A nice selection of food trucks were supplied I have to say. The atmosphere of the 'Beerstalker' was great. A great laugh had, with great music (well my kind of music anyway!), an uncomfortable nights sleep in the tent (its sleeping in a tent after a race, it was never going to be cosy) and great tasting bacon roll (or two) in the morning and we were off home.

All and all The Mighty Deestalker lived up to most of what I heard about it, and I'm sure I used those key words I mentioned earlier throughout my review. It was an amazing race. I had a really memorable time with it. With amazing terrain and truly brutal hills, it is a great and rewarding challenge. The price is very reasonable too. Will be back next year to give it a good hard run at.

M.K. Rating

Event Booking:  5/5
Price : 4/5
The Race : 4.5/5
Event Village: 4/5

Overall: 4.5/5