Hell On the Humber 2011 - Done!
Congratulations to all those who completed Hell On The Humber, illness and injury had ended the race for many before it even started with a number of DNS (Did Not Starts) logged at registration, the race then continued to take it's toll on many more with DNFs (Did Not Finish) being registered through the night as athletes were forced to retire due to injury, fatigue or both.
A tough race both physically and psychologically and to cross the finish line is an fantastic achievement.
As we promised the course isn't particularly easy with no real flat stretches, and the bridge can be a lonely place in the dark hours, alone, and in the rain with no shelter. It makes it worse when the only company you get is an idiot on a bike asking you how you're feeling (you really need to ask?) and offering blatant lies about how good you're looking after 10 hours of running (some better than others).
Before we get in to the debrief and technicalities, and before you get too bored of reading and switch off to go over analyse your results and contemplate the "what if's" surrounding how many laps you "could have done" if it wasn't for those pesky toilet breaks, we would like to say thank you to all competitors and support crew for getting involved in the race. It's not the management, preparation or the venue that make the event, it's the people who take part in whatever capacity.
The Results
The provisional results are now available on the Toro CSC website (www.torocsc.com). They will stay provisional to allow us to correct any errors and pending drug tests (if you DIDN'T have drugs in your system and you decided to run across the Humber Bridge for 12 hours of darkness and rain we have a nice man who wants to talk to you in a very comfortable room).
If there are any problems with the results please let us know ASAP so we can review and correct.
The Result
So, you finished, you challenged yourself and you got the T shirt. But there's more... Some of you had to leave the event early for a variety of reasons and missed the awards and post race brief (some boring type who had too much caffeine and too little sleep in the previous 36 hours rattling on about nothing in particular at the end of the race while you were trying to eat your breakfast) and some probably didn't get all of the details, there's more than just a t shirt.
Everybody who started will receive a guaranteed entry to Hell On The Humber for the life of the event (subject to reasonable notice, we can't reserve places indefinitely so you're better off booking when entries open).
Everybody who started will also receive a 10% discount on future entry.
Everybody who started will get priority booking 1 week ahead of general opening.
Everybody who started will get a discounted entry and priority booking to the 2012 Hull Marathon.
In a sick game of "winner stays on" 1st Female, 1st Male, 1st Extreme TAB and 1st Team get a free entry to 2012 to defend their position.
Next Time?
As it was year one we needed to know how (and if) the event would work, how it would be received, and whether there is an appetite for the event to continue in the future, we were working on the 90% rule in this case, which meant that if 10% of the competitors or less were unhappy with the event we would assume 90% liked it and make plans for 2012. Well, we weren't quite prepared for the response! The communication we've had back from participants and support teams has been overwhelmingly positive, and since 11pm on race day (yes, less than half way through the race) we've had a flood of emails from people wanting in on the action for 2012.
So, due to popular demand we are happy to announce that HOTH 2012 is on the cards, dates TBC but expect them to be similar.
We will also be looking to introduce a 6 hour race to the event which will kick off at midnight and give people an introduction to Endurance Racing.
The planning is already underway, and now we know how things work (greatly due to your advice and feedback) you can expect something bigger and better next year (including a Southern admin area with portaloos!).
Your Experiences
If you have written a blog, race report, or even an email to friends and family to let them know how it went and want to share your experiences with other competitors and those considering HOTH next year please send them through to
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. We will be launching a new website shortly and would like to add personal experiences to our event listings so feel free to share! If you haven't written anything about your race why not give it a go? It often helps you appreciate what you went through and is a great personal reference for the future.
2012 Pre Registration
A pre registration link will go live this week for those wishing to secure a place in the 2012 event. Those on the pre registration list will receive prior notification of the event going live (after the 2011 competitors receive notice). Following the response we've had so far from those wanting to book for 2012, and considering the 2011 event sold out twice, we would probably recommend early booking. We have some flexibility but there does have to be an upper limit on participants.
Almost Done
You've accomplished something 99% of the population never will, and even if things didn't go to plan you'll have that well deserved special smile either on your face (or buried deep down) which only comes with pushing yourself to the limits. Sit back and enjoy the feeling.
For those of you new to endurance racing you may find you have something of a downer this week, this event has been a focus for a long time and now you've done it and achieved something so great there may be a filling of "something is missing", something of an anti climax. Don't worry, this is normal! As you recover from the event normality will return and you'll start to really appreciate what you've just done. You'll then join the ranks of the insane (those who have done this type of thing before) and you'll sign up for next year to fill the hole and focus the mind.
And Finally...
One of your fellow competitors by the name of Nick Riggs approached me some time ago and asked if I could make an endurance event happen in the area, being a keen and experienced Ultra Marathon Runner and Double Ironman Nick wanted something closer to home. Several months of planning and headaches later and Hell On The Humber was born.
So while I may be the one that thought it up and delivered, it wouldn't have happened if Nick hadn't planted the seed, so the next time you're running the bridge in the dark and lonely hours it's him you should really be wanting to have words with, not me...
Careful what you wish for >;)