This is a question we are often asked so, in an effort to explain why compulsory kit is needed we have added its own section to help people understand why we insist on it.

Trail running carries it's own set of risks compared to road running.  The terrain is more challenging and in the event of an emergency you can be at the risk of a long wait before help gets to you because trails are generally remote.  There have recently been several serious incidents on trail races that have been made worse by the poor provision of compulsory kit.  We want everyone on a Run Walk Crawl races to have a great experience, however, our our first and overriding responsibility is to make sure everyone who starts a race is safe and accounted for by the end of the race.  This is our number one priority and we are not prepared to compromise on this.

The compass isn't for you to use it is for the race team in the event of an emergency.  Every race we have ever done we have been called by someone who is lost and we have used their compass to help locate them and provide them with instructions how to get back to the route or a collection point.

It also there should we have to make course alterations on the day due to an emergency.  For example in the event of flooding you may receive a message from the race team instructing you to head north when you get to a certain location.

If you are first on the scene to a casualty we may use your compass to locate you and the casualty, we may also use the compass to send you to meet emergency services who will be coming in trying to find you.

In short, there are many reasons why you should have a reliable compass.  For more remote, longer races we will insist on a 'real' compass as one on a watch or phone can run out of battery, or with a phone you will be using it to speak to race HQ and may be unable to use both the phone and the compass at the same time.

A mid-layer is a warm / insulating top that will help keep you warm.  Our body temperature is normally around 37C.  A very small loss (eg: down to 35C) is all it takes for the early stages of Hypothermia to start.  These can be recognised by: feeling cold, poor decision making, poor concentration, fatigue and irritable mood.  The body’s energy needs also increase in mild hypothermia because the sugars are used to create heat and by the muscular effort of shivering. 

If you can start to retain your warmth with a mid layer, windproof / waterproof outer layer and a hat you can start to function again.

It is also a god idea to put on all of your warm kit once you have finished a race or have a spare bag at the finish with heavy duty warm layers and a hat.  Once you have finished you are still susceptible to mild hypothermia onset.  You should never leave the finish and attempt to drive if you are feeling unwell or exhibiting any of the following symptoms: feeling cold, shivering, poor concentration, irritable mood or nausea.

Examples of a good quality synthetic mid layer we would recommend are: 

Montane Prism Ultra pull on

Montane Ember pull on

Haglofs Summit Hybrid jacket

Mountain Equipment Switch jacket

Examples of a good quality fleece mid layer we would recommend are: 

OMM Core jacket

Mountain Equipment Trembler jacket

An emergency bivvy bag is a lightweight foil sleeping bag designed for you to get in in the event of an emergency.  It provides full body coverage and will insulate as well as act as a wind and waterproof layer.  A foil blanket, is a thin later of foil that, in theory, can insulate you and keep you warm.  However, in practice a foil blanket is almost useless in wet and windy conditions.  We would recommend that everyone have an emergency bivvy bag as part of their race and training kit.

The bivvy bag we would recommend is the Sol Emergency Bivvy.