Equipment

The Runner organises all the equipment he needs for the actual running bit. The Bearded One helps me with all the other stuff we seem to need for the weekend. I have a 4x4 vehicle that gets packed to the roof and still isn't big enough. Some other back up crews use a van. We have discussed many times the idea of using a camper van. Advantages would be having cooking and washing facilities, somewhere to lie down/sleep while waiting at checkpoints and a bed for the night if The Runner finishes at a decent time. Disadvantages include not knowing anyone who owns one and therefore extra cost and hassle to hire one. I remember someone did hire one a few years ago but it was quite big and got stuck trying to reverse round the car park at Kingshouse when the Caledonian Challenge walkers were coming the other way.

So in the absence of a camper van, this is what we bring.

1. Cooking stove. This is The Bearded One's area of expertise. He brings the gas and some folded metal thingies. Magically he puts them together and makes a little stove. Fantastic for boiling water, heating up Magic soup and cooking a full Scottish breakfast for the back up crew at Rowardennan!

2. Flasks for coffee, hot water and soup

3. Picnic set. Basically a big box containing plastic cutlery, plates and tumblers. I think it came from B&Q years ago but it all fits neatly together in the box and so saves space.

4. Several large containers of water (I think they each hold 5 litres). One year we almost ran out of water because we forgot we needed extra water to wash dirty dishes. Ever resourceful, The Bearded One found a burn to rinse out his pan!

5. Little basin with washing up stuff

6. Towels, preferably old cos they get used for a multitude of purposes.

7. Toilet rolls, poop bags and the hand washing gel that doesn't need water. No matter how you try to organise toilet stops at nice clean places you do get caught short!

8. Kitchen rolls, useful for loads of stuff

9. Golf umbrella, just in case it rains!!!!

10. Waterproof trousers and jacket, for the same reason and several changes of clothes including underwear

11. Foldable chair

12. Cool bags/boxes to keep food fresh for as long as possible

I'll have a think and add some more later.

13. First aid kit. Usual basic supplies plus Compeed in every available size, painkillers and Nux vomica.

14. Midgie nets! And repellant! How could I forget the midgies? Thanks for the reminder Tim!