The Brussel Buster – Briefing

This year we’ve moved to Amroth. Expect lots of runnable right-of-ways and possibly easier navigation than previous years.

Please bring with you all the necessary required kit you need to carry, plus lots of warm clothing to get changed into afterwards. We may reduce this the day before, if the weather is looking good, but for now the kit you need to carry with you at all times during the run is…

Mandatory

• Full waterproof coat and leggings.
• A working compass.
• Gloves.
• A hat.
• Spare insulated top.
• An emergency foil blanket.
• A good working head-torch with spare batteries.
• A separate torch.
• A fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof bag.

Recommended

• A waterproof highlighter/pen.
• A good sense of humour.
• A good sense of direction.
• A swear box!

We will be checking your kit.

Event Location

So the start and finish is at The Smugglers, Amroth. There’s a big community car park to the rear of the pub. Please car share if you can.

Carpark What 3 Words

The Smugglers What 3 Words

Start Times

Registration opens at 4:30pm. The race briefing is at 4:55pm. The first runners will be set off at 5pm and every 30 seconds thereafter. We expect the staggered start to last around half an hour, so please be patient whilst we release the teams (tea/coffee and beer is available at The Smugglers!). Teams must start together and stay together at all times.

The Nitty Gritty

The actual start will be just outside the pub. A minute or so before you actually start, you’ll be given ‘The Map’! Make use of this ‘free’ time to try and work out your intended route, mark your route on the map, and start pulling your hair out! When it’s time to go, we’ll dib your wristband against the timing box. 

Map & Scoring

All the control locations are all pre-marked on the waterproof ma together with a description , e.g. dead end track, stream crossing, etc. The map will be OS type, scale 1:25,000. You will receive your map 1 minute before your start time. No more, no less! When you start, you will scan your wristband, and your time starts from then. We highly recommend starting your stopwatch or make a note of the time, as you have 2 hrs to collect as many points in that time. If you are over 2hrs, you will be penalised 10 points for every 5 mins over time. e.g. 11 mins over, you will be deducted 30 points. If you are over half an hour late, you will be DQ’d! The controls the furthest away from the start are worth more points.

Here are some example scores/times.

Note: If two overall scores are the same, quickest time will win.

Below is an example map. This years map will look fairly similar but it will have the points for each control on too.

Control Locations

None of the controls will be in the middle of a track! Some are pretty hard to find, and off the beaten track! However, you shouldn’t need to go wading through deep brambles to get to any of them. Use the control descriptions on the map to help you find them. Please only use rights of way and stay out of the out-of-bounds areas, these have been put in place as it’s private land or for your own safety (bulls in field!!!)

When you find a control

If and when you find a control, you need to tap your wristband against the button on it. You have only recorded it once it has beeped and you see a green light! You will find it easier to remove the wristband to do this. Press the number part of the wristband against the button.

Use of GPS

Please do not use any GPS device to assist in finding the location of the controls.

You may record your route on Strava, Garmin etc, but not for navigation!  

Finishing

We’ll scan your wristband when you finish. Please have it ready to take off as you head back to the pub. Every second counts!

Results

We will be showing live results on a TV in The Smugglers. As runners finish, their scores will appear on the website. It’s often a very exciting part of the event. As mentioned, tea, coffee and beer will be available.

These will be also be online as you finish.