Fresh from last week’s Iron Run, it is time for the next instalment of Team
MUBU’s “Seriously how good was that?” OCR event review. We are getting
a decent block of reviews in place now, though I’m not sure how useful people
are finding them!
This week is the big kahuna, 20 miles worth of Dirty Weekend courtesy of the folks at Rat Race (also responsible
for River Rat, Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest and Might Deerstalker among
others). I have to confess two things though (1) I started the race but
couldn’t finish due to illness (2) Those who did finish “only” did 13 miles.
Still, it should be a representative review I hope.
RAT RACE’S DIRTY WEEKEND
13 or 20 miles OCR
May 9th 2015
Burghley House, Lincolnshire
This is so much more than just your typical OCR. A huge, festival-like,
event village complete with campsite and associated facilities dominates the
area. Well it would if not for the 9.8m high structure which is the
second-to-last obstacle you see before the finish! Throw in an after-party
headlined by Ash and Craig Charles’s DJ set and you have much more than a race
to get your teeth into.
Pre-Race Day Organisation
This isn’t cheap, and Rat Race’s policy of not allowing transfers within
10 days of the event meant I was essentially forced to give it a go when I fell
ill in the run up to the event, rather than throw the money away. Other than
that we have the typical Rat Race fare, it’s easy to sign up, you get plenty of
information during the build-up and nothing is left to chance.
7 – Good
Event Facilities
Plenty of varied places to eat, enough toilets to go around (well I
didn’t have to queue at any point) and a valuables locker facility for those
camping and wishing to keep things safe. Campsite was exactly what you would
expect (though I’d pay for Premium next time for the showers) and generally
this was well run. The only slight disappointment is the merchandise tent. I
know RR want to sell their own gear and such but I felt like an event this size
could have benefitted from having all the big players like Inov-8, Dry Robe,
MuddyKit etc.. on site. I had a chunk of money and it burnt a hole in my
pocket.
8 – Very Good
Registration and Race Day
Organisation
Piece of cake to register (if you had your ID of course). Race day ran
as smooth as every RR event does; waves sent off every 15 minutes or so and
very few (if any) major hitches.
8 – Very Good
Location and Watchability
Decent Midlands location set in a very nice estate. Easily accessible,
plenty of parking not too far from the event village and campsite. Long course
so there were large chunks of it where there was no one watching (always a
shame, particularly if there are some good obstacles out there). But the bulk
of the race was accessible easily for all types of spectators and there was
enough for those who brought kids along as well.
8 – Very Good
On course facilities
The bit of the course I saw had decent enough facilities. Plenty of
marshals, decent signage and distance markers to keep you on track. The first
water station had a few portaloos as well which turned out to be very handy for
me in my condition. The stations were well stocked with fuel and I’m informed
there were a few more dotted around too.
8 – Very Good
Warm-up and briefings
With only fifteen minutes between waves it is always very difficult to
get a proper warm-up in. A few stretches, some jogging on the spot and you are
ready to go apparently. The briefings covered the key points though and the
start area was undercover which is always handy on the odd occasion it rains!
6 – Average
Variety of obstacles
Being the length it is there should be a large variety of obstacles, and
thankfully Dirty Weekend didn’t disappoint. Claims of 200+ obstacles seem
far-fetched but those that ran the 13 miles said that it probably wasn’t far
off the right number. From climbing through a car to a 20ft vertical drop there
is plenty here for everyone, and enough different obstacles to keep all on
their toes.
8 – Very Good
Obstacle-to-run Mix
It is 20 miles, so there is a lot of running. That in itself isn’t
necessarily bad thing but you have to try and place the running sections ahead
of potentially big queue obstacles so that you can stretch the field out and
minimise queuing where you can. Some of the zones came after a short run and a
cold dip so people were beginning to shiver and struggled to keep warm. It is
never easy but more thought is needed to get the balance perfect.
7 – Good
Usage of Terrain and Nature
Lovely rolling stately home estates are perfect fodder for OCRs and
Burghley didn’t let itself down. The course took advantage of all the natural
elements that were available and mixed the man-made elements in very well.
8 – Very Good
Post-Race Pack
A nice chunky medal, your run-of-the-mill technical T-shirt and a curly
wurly greeted you at the finish line, along with a free photo opportunity. Not
too shabby but for the price of the entry I’d like to see something else such
as a free pint (like Deerstalker) or a bit of grub (like Spartan) thrown in
too.
7 – Good
Course Difficulty: 9
Obstacle Difficulty: 8
High on the difficulty purely because of the length. But if you have the
stubbornness and will power then there is no reason why anyone can’t finish this
course. It is not particularly up-and-down and the temperature isn’t really a
problem provided you can keep moving. But when you drill it down, it is nearly
80% of a marathon and that is a long way. Obstacle wise, only Tough Guy is
harder and the length of the course means that even the “easy” obstacles sap
your strength. And don’t even start about the monkey bars – just looking at
them tired me out.
Overall Thoughts
We have already signed up again for next year. I want to get round this
time and Nat/Rick want to do the full thing. A team of 10 has already been
assembled and we can’t wait. This was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend despite my
illness and I can’t wait for next year. The festival vibe really added
something for me, I enjoy the races but it is the banter, the camaraderie and
the stories that I really come for – and Dirty Weekend Really does allow for
all of those and more.
Overall Score
7.5 – We are
coming for you next year Dirty Weekend. And this time we mean business!
A reminder of the new system
10.0 Nothing
will ever get 10.0, you should always strive for better
9.5 Sell
organs AND children. And everything you own. About as good as it gets
9.0 Sell
organs and/or children to do this event every single time
8.5 Highly
recommended indeed, this gets booked as soon as it is released
8.0 A very
good event, only money or illness would stop this being a yearly thing
7.5 Definitely one to
recommend. Not much would keep me away
7.0 On the list for another
go, though not necessarily an automatic selection
6.5 Would do this one again
if the stars aligned, but wouldn’t break the bank for it
6.0 Was fun but only a very
cheap deal and a free weekend would tempt me again
below 6.0 Not for me
for one reason or another.
EVENT REVIEWS SO FAR
8.0 Tough Guy
7.5 Reaper Day
Race
7.5 DIRTY WEEKEND
7.5 Yorkshire
Warrior (Year 1)
7.0 Tough
Mudder North West
7.0 Iron Run
7.0 Survival of the Fittest
Manchester (Years 1 and 2)
7.0 Spartan Sprint Yorkshire
7.0 Total Warrior Lake
District
7.0 Yorkshire Warrior (Year 2)
7.0 Avalanche - Chase the
Yeti
7.0
Deerstalker
6.5 Mighty Deerstalker
6.5 Pandemonium Iced
6.5 Stockton River Rat Race
6.0 Ram Run
Next up is Spartan Sprint on 4th July so
plenty of time to get some training in. It is short but by no means easy, so
it’s a good job I’ve got some time!
Till next time,
DT
