Cyprus Ultra Q & A
Cyprus Ultra Q&A
Why would I go to the expense of travelling to Cyprus for an ultra?
Cyprus Ultra is not just another ultra, it has been carefully designed to test the human body and mind to its very limit, while remaining safe and enjoyable. Just imagine the feeling of swimming in the warm crystal clear Mediterranean sea the day after completing one of the toughest races on the planet. We have beautiful sandy beaches just 30 minutes from the race start location and more sunshine hours per day than just about any other European country. So instead of spending thousands of dollars travelling to a race in your own country, see somewhere new and exotic with Cyprus Ultra. This is a proper old school ultra, no pacers, no air conditioned cars for you to jump in at every mile for ice tea and a massage. If you want an easy time and have lots of money, there are plenty of these modern glory ultras out there at 10 times the cost of taking part in ours.
Where is Cyprus?
Cyprus is an island in the Eastern Mediterranean, the third-largest Mediterranean island (after Sicily and Sardinia). It is an independent country (Democratic Republic of Cyprus), a member of the European Union. The currency is the euro. The main language is Greek. However, English is widely spoken, as Cyprus is also a centre of tourism and international business. Anyone you are likely to come in contact with (taxi drivers and people in hotels, restaurants, shops etc.) will speak English. The exception is the North of the country, the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a breakaway statelet that is not recognised by any other country except Turkey. Do not make the mistake of flying to Ercan airport in the North. Until recently it was impossible to cross between North and South; now it is merely tricky. For instance, it is not possible to take a taxi across.
How do I get to Cyprus?
Cyprus is an island. There are no ferries to speak of. You have to fly. There are good air connections with all the main cities of Europe. Don’t forget to check out the budget airlines RyanAir (www.ryanair.com), Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) and Monarch (www.monarch.co.uk): they all serve Cyprus, but do not necessarily show up in sites such as Skyscanner and Travelocity. As with all budget airlines, the sooner you book, the cheaper. If you’re going transatlantic, you’ll probably come via London (either Heathrow or Gatwick). But don’t forget to check out other possible staging posts such as Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. From London you can fly to Cyprus from Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton airport, so you might have to transfer between Heathrow and Gatwick (or vice-versa) or between Heathrow and Luton. There are bus transfers that take about 1 hour (but as with all things intercontinental, leave lots of margin). Forget Gatwick to Luton or Luton to Gatwick: they are on opposite sides of London, which means going clear across town. There are two main airports in Cyprus: Paphos (sometimes spelled Pafos) and Larnaca. Of the two, Larnaca is much nearer the site of the Cyprus Ultra race. Do NOT take a flight to Ercan (in the North of Cyprus); Ercan is situated in the breakaway statelet of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” which is not recognised by any other country in the world except Turkey. Until recently it was impossible to get across the border from northern Cyprus (TRNC) to southern Cyprus (Democratic Republic of Cyprus); now it is merely tricky.
Where can I stay in Cyprus?
There is a camping area at the base station for the race where your crew can rough it (see below for details). However, your family will undoubtedly prefer the comfort of a hotel. So will you, before and after the race. The two main possibilities for hotels are Larnaca and Limassol. Both are popular tourist destinations, with lots of hotels. Larnaca is a small town and Limassol is a medium-large town (by Cyprus standards). Limassol is the nearest to the site of the race, while Larnaca is very handy for Larnaca airport. For getting to Cyprus you might fly either to Paphos or to Larnaca airport, but when it comes to accommodation Paphos is too far away to be practical. Limassol is half-way between Larnaca and Paphos, so if you’re staying in Limassol you can fly to either one.
Larnaca is about 30 minutes away from the race site by car or taxi, Limassol about 20 minutes. Most hotels in Limassol and Larnaca are on or near the seafront. It makes sense to choose a hotel with beach access, so that you (and your family) can enjoy splashing about in the Mediterranean. You will still be near enough to the race location.
There is NO hotel accommodation in Vasa village or any or the nearby villages. As for hotels, the race is in the peak tourist season, so it is not possible to get a discount (we have tried). However, the tourist trade is down at the moment, and competition in the trade means that four-star and three-star rates are pretty reasonable.
At the base station there is a shady area (lots of trees) where you can pitch a tent, with running water and toilets. It’s warm enough at that time of year that you can make do with just a groundsheet and a light sleeping bag (but bring lots of bug repellent!). Tent or no, you will want to stake out an area with all your equipment and supplies. There are NO shops in the village.
When should I travel to Cyprus?
Margin is everything, and not just during the race itself. See the remarks by Gilbert Gray (in his race blog) about the need to arrive several days in advance. You need to settle in to your hotel, organise a rental car, make sure you have a cell phone that works in Europe, get local supplies of food and drink to see you through the race, find out how to get from your hotel to the race site, etc.
If going transatlantic, be aware also that jet lag in a West-East direction is a killer. East-to-West is easy, just like staying up late at night then sleeping late the next morning. West-to-East, you wake up tired, feel tired all day and go to bed tired, then still can’t sleep. During the day you think you’re awake, but you’re not. You do stupid things like getting on the wrong train and leaving the kids behind. If coming via London, Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam, why not take a few days to see the sights while you adjust? Tip: you can buy tickets in advance on the internet for all the main London attractions such as Madame Tussauds, Tower of London, London Eye etc. You just whizz past the hour-long queues! It also makes sense to break the trip in London especially, so as to stagger the jet lag. The time difference between the US East Coast and the UK is 5 hours, UK to Cyprus is another 2 hours difference. If flying via Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Frankfurt the differences are 6 hours and 1 hour respectively.
How do I get from my hotel to the race location?
By rental car or taxi. Given that the race is over a couple of days, and then there is the celebration meal after, and probably you will want to check out the location beforehand anyway, it’s cheaper to hire a car for 3 or 4 days than to get taxis up and down every day. The hotel people will tell you where you can hire a car; they might even arrange it for you directly. Of course, like all these things it works out less expensive if you can shop around and arrange it beforehand.
Taxis are plentiful at both airports (Paphos and Larnaca) as well big name car hire companies. Car hire is around €55 per day for a micro size, €70 for something bigger, €90+ for 4 x 4s.
You will probably be staying in Larnaca or Limassol (there are no hotels in the village). Both are popular tourist destinations, so there is no problem finding a car rental firm in town. Larnaca is about 30 minutes drive away from the race location, Limassol about 40 minutes.
If taking a taxi, be aware that there are TWO villages in Cyprus called Vasa. The one you want is “Vasa Kellakiou” (i.e. Vasa near Kellaki). Unfortunately, the other Vasa is a popular destination, our Vasa is not. So the taxi driver will automatically head for the wrong Vasa. When booking a taxi, you MUST specify “Vasa Kellakiou”. Even that is not enough: the message will probably get lost along the way. So when you step into the taxi, say again: “Vasa KELLAKIOU.”
Is there anything I need to know about driving in Cyprus?
In Cyprus they drive on the left (a legacy of British colonial rule). It’s actually surprisingly easy to get used to. Watch out for details such as taking roundabouts clockwise (when you get to a roundabout, turn left). The main danger is that after stopping or parking for a while, the driver forgets and pulls away on the right instead of the left. It is the duty of whoever is in the passenger’s seat to say “Remember to drive on the left.”
Apart from that, if you’re not used to a manual gear shift then you must remember to ask for an automatic. There's no difficulty about getting one, as long as you ask.
Will my laptop (hairdryer, shaver etc.) work in Cyprus?
Voltage in Europe (including Cyprus) is 230 V. In the USA it is 110 V. That’s bad news for hairdryers and shavers, but all laptop transformers accept both voltages. The difficulty is the power sockets. US power sockets are different from UK sockets, which in turn are different from continental European sockets. Cyprus uses the UK system (it used to be a British colony). So you need a US/UK adaptor. The best place to get one is the airport shop (for instance, if you are coming via London). Hotels in Cyprus regularly provide UK/European adaptors, but US/UK is trickier. Ask when you arrive: you might be lucky. It’s also useful to have a UK plug with USB connector (for charging your Garmin, iPhone, Kindle etc.). These are sold in airport shops.
The race seems very challenging, is it for elite ultra runners only?
We have created the perfect ultra marathon for one simple reason, we designed a course where the runners are no further than 3 miles from the safety of the main starting area and base camp. A 13.5 mile loop in a figure of eight means a runner can quit at anytime and be picked up by one of our support vehicles within approx 20 minutes of making the call. We want Cyprus Ultra to be a race for everyone. Only the runner’s fitness level and how much they train for an extreme heat trail race will determine who completes the race. Those who do the best on this course are rarely the best runners, we’ve had two test races so far, the runners with a strong mind, able to stay focused in extreme heat, keeping up their calorie intake with gels and electrolytes in temperatures that kill your appetite for anything apart from ice and salt, these were the runners who did the best.
What training would you recommend for this race?
Train on big, never ending up and down hills, know your sweat rate and learn how to keep up the hydration and calories of 240 per hour in extreme heat, also knowing your electrolytes is key to race success at Cyprus Ultra. You might just sweat more than any race you’ve ran before, do not underestimate the power of the Cyprus sun and humidity. Staying cool and fuelled is far more important than your running ability at Cyprus Ultra. Learn how to keep the pace slow too, almost everyone that attempted our July race started out way too fast; if you race too fast in the morning, you will suffer big time when the afternoon heat kicks in. You need to be comfortable running at night too. It’s very lonely on this trail, there is no sign of life for 90% of the route, no lights, no noise except for snakes and lizards that scoot away as your foot steps disturb them. Learn how to deal with complete solitude while running with headlights. In 2017 you will pass four 24 hour manned stations (base station + two aid stations, passing each of the latter twice). So you will not be more than 3 miles from any of these as you run the loop. Stick with it, keep moving forward and know that it’s just a few miles until you see someone to motivate you and give you supplies if needed.
What will the terrain be like?
Typically 4 meter wide dusty jeep trails with never ending hills to climb and descend. During the race it’s unlikely that you will come across any human traffic of any kind, just a deadly silence and the occasional snake to keep you company. Each climb/descent is around a quarter mile with an elevation gain/descent of around 150 meters. You will be running up and down more hills than in any other race you have ever done before, and in heat and humidity that few can handle.
What type of shoes would you recommend?
100% trail shoes. The ones we like are those that give the most grip on very dry gravel that slips under foot. Grip is very important on the hills, slipping when going up some of the big climbs is just wasted energy. You need at least two pairs of shoes. By changing shoes you even out the wear and help to head off blisters. Conversely, if you start to get blisters, try changing shoes. Be aware also that your feet will swell during the race. If your shoes are tight at the start, they'll be murder 50 miles down the trail. So bring different sizes. See recommended gear.
Is it safe?
As safe as we can make it. There will be an ambulance and a team of professional paramedics permanently in attendance at the base station. There will also be a number of qualified first aiders. In addition there will be at least a paramedic or first aider at each checkpoint. All checkpoints can be reached by ambulance. The entire course is accessible by 4x4, so we can come and get you. You are never more than 3 miles (5 km) away from an aid station/checkpoint. We know within a mile or two where you are at all times, as we track you through the checkpoints. Cell phone coverage is good on the whole route (in fact, everywhere in Cyprus). Hospital facilities in Cyprus are first-class. Bear in mind however that this is an extreme event, so you must take safety seriously, as we do.
What can I expect on race day?
Besides one hell of a race that will push you to your limits, you can expect a friendly family feel event. No big corporate sponsors, no fanfare or circus at the start, just pure old school ultra running, eat and run, and that’s it. Our goal is that the runner who only manages to complete one lap (there will be many) has the same fun and challenging experience as the runners who complete the full distance.
What do I need to bring on race morning?
You must carry a proper hydration pack, and a cell phone, or the organisers won’t let you start. Anything else is discretionary.
At night: a headlamp or pocket torch. For the rest: running kit, sports nutrition to complete your race distance, fully charged cell phone and charger (UK plug), suitable clothing for your race distance in extreme high heat and humidity. No fully charged cell phone that works in Cyprus = no race. Why? For your safety you need to be able to call the main base camp for help while on the course. No exceptions. Make sure the battery will last for a full 48 hours. Otherwise you need to bring a spare, or charge it between laps. See recommended gear. Ice, ice, baby. We are providing cold water bottles at basecamp but no ice. It's highly recommended that you bring a ice box and purchase ice from the 24 hour store at Moni (next to petrol station).
What facilities are there at the race location?
There are NO shops and NO accommodation at the race location. No banks, no ATMs. For hotels you have to go to Larnaca or Limassol.
There is a camping area at the base station where your crew can pitch a tent. Lots of shade under the trees. Running water and toilets. You can shower, if you don’t mind using a hose, in public. But at least the water is lukewarm at that time of year.
It’s warm enough at that time of year that you can make do with just a groundsheet and a light sleeping bag (but bring lots of bug repellent!). Tent or no, you will want to stake out an area with all your equipment and supplies.
There are power points where you can plug in a laptop, cell phone charger etc. Cell phone coverage is good (but see “Will my cell phone work in Cyprus?”).
For the runners there will be fresh fruit, water and some ultra runners’ favourites such as Coke, potatoes, fresh fruit etc. These items are all vegan and are all included in the entry price.
Help! I’m going to be an hour late. Please wait
My flight has been delayed. The hotel is farther away than I thought. I can’t find the way to the village. The taxi has taken me to the wrong Vasa ...While we will be as flexible and accommodating as possible in all other respects, this is not one of them.
This is an endurance race; being on time is part of the test. By signing up for the race you undertake to be there on time. Besides, if everybody else is lined up, psyched up and fuelled up for the tremendous effort of running for 46 hours, it’s simply not fair to ask them to wait for another hour. Moreover it would cause huge logistical problems farther down the line, throwing the entire programme into disarray. There are lots of helpers and other people involved, and they are all working to a schedule. So make sure you get to Cyprus well in advance, get everything sorted out before the race, and see that you know your way to the starting point. If you’re coming from half way round the world, don’t blow the whole thing for want of margin.
Be on time, on the line.
What food and drinks will be available, do I need to bring my own?
Our aid stations will have fruit, water and some ultra runners’ favourites. These items are all vegan and are all included in the entry price. Of course you should still bring what you are used to, you can leave this at the main aid station and each time you pass you’ll have easy access to it. Please do not ask the volunteers to prepare food that you bring, they have enough to deal with without being your personal assistant.
I see in the rules that competitors have to carry a cell phone. Will my cell phone work in Cyprus?
If you are coming from Europe, yes, it definitely will. If you are coming from the USA or Canada, the answer is probably not. Most cell phones are “dual band”, i.e. they work on two frequencies: one main frequency and one backup. The trouble is, the two frequencies in Europe (including Cyprus) are different from those in the USA. A tri-band phone has a chance of working. A quad-band phone works everywhere in the world. All smartphones are quad-band (but check the specs just to be sure: it should list 4 frequencies).
Where can I buy an inexpensive European cell phone?
If coming via London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Frankfurt you will be able to buy a cell phone in the airport shops. However, they tend to be higher-end models. The airport shops in Larnaca and Paphos (arrivals as well as departures) sell “Connection packs” (phone + SIM card with 5 euros of talk time) for 30 euros. You can buy a cheap, dumb cell phone in Cyprus for 20 euros (if you’re lucky), certainly for 25 or 30 euros. You can get pay-as-you-go SIM cards (5 or 10 euros) from any newspaper kiosk. One more reason why you should get to Cyprus a day or two early, to take care of details like that!
Do I need sun protection?
Definitely: a legionnaire’s cap or other means of protecting your neck. A cap with a peak in front to keep the sun off your face. Body-wise, best to be covered between elbows and knees. Otherwise bring lots of factor 50. Remember that you will be exposed from sun-up to sun-down. The UV up on the exposed ridges is pretty cruel. Be aware that it can strike even through a T-shirt. It doesn’t have to be full-on sunburn: any tenderness can lead to chafing which eventually becomes catastrophic. So even underneath clothing you should apply suncream on your neck and shoulders, forearms, thighs (front) and calves (back).
When you first check into your hotel you will be tempted to hit the beach. Don’t. Let your hubby and kids go the beach, but you must keep fully covered and stay indoors. Same reason as above: you must avoid even the slightest tenderness. The precautionary principle applies, i.e. better safe than sorry. In Cyprus, the sun is your enemy: don’t try to catch the sun, the sun will catch you! Leave the sunbathing until after the race.
How do I deal with chafing and blisters?
The best way is to head them off before they start. Avoid cotton clothing: it gets sweaty, then rubs and chafes. You need a high-spec shirt. Take at least one full change of trail clothing. There are various propriety products to prevent/treat chafing. Old stand-bys are Vaseline or even better Sudocrem (used to treat nappy-rash). Carry some of whatever works for you with you on the trail, and apply it at the first, slightest twinge, wherever it hurts. Don’t be afraid to stick your hand down the front of your shorts (or wherever): it’s lonely out there on the trail. For blisters, use Compeed sticking plasters. Available in any drugstore (called “chemist’s shop” on this side of the Atlantic). Absolutely magic, second skin. Protects while reducing friction. Leave them on until they drop off in the shower, 3 or 4 days later. Same thing goes: carry them on the trail, and apply at the very first twinge or sign of hotfoot. Don’t wait for it to get bad. Just sit down and take off your shoe.
Can I have pacers run with me?
No, and we mean no. It’s only a 13.5 mile loop, you will pass at least three 24 hour manned aid stations to support you as you complete each loop. This is a proper old school ultra, no pacers, no air conditioned cars for you to jump in at every mile for ice tea and a massage. If you want an easy time and have lots of money, there are plenty of these modern glory ultras out there at 10 x the cost of taking part in ours.
Can I have my own support crew with me?
Yes, but only at the base station. We are very strict about this: if we see any non-competitors hanging around on the trail or at the aid stations, any associated runner(s) will be disqualified. It's a matter of ensuring that nobody has an unfair advantage. No pacers, no help anywhere on the trail. Resist the temptation to walk up the road to get a better photograph.
Will there be any refreshments at the start location?
For the runners there will be fresh fruit, tea, coffee and water along with some ultra runners’ favourites These items are all vegan and are all included in the entry price.
What is the cut off finish time for the 135 mile Donkey Ultra?
10.5 laps within 46 hours, last lap will require runners to run the lower section once more to make the 135 distance. Everything will be explained at the race safety meeting.
What happens if at any point of the race it doesn’t look like I’m going to make the cut off time?
We’ll be basing your estimated finish time on your last lap, if it seems impossible for you to make the cut off time and you are not looking in good shape, you will be asked to stop running and listed as DNF. Why so harsh? Safety, no other reason. This decision will be at the discretion of the race directors and medical staff.
On Saturday afternoon, on your second loop in daylight, you should start to memorise the course. Note possible hazards such as rocks on the trail (that you might trip over), or deep ruts (where you could twist an ankle). Take note also of trail junctions and sudden changes of direction. At junctions the direction to follow will be indicated at night by glow-sticks, but it's best to be prepared! It's better to go on time (your watch) rather than distance (your Garmin), because Garmin batteries have a nasty habit of packing in at the wrong moment. So, something like: "10 minutes after the bottom checkpoint, watch out for a left turn at the crossroads".
I’m vegetarian/vegan. Will that be a problem?
Welcome to the club. Nope, that won’t be a problem. Leastways, not more than anywhere else in the world. All runner's supplies during the race will be vegan.
I can’t afford to bring a crew with me, can I ask the volunteers to assist me at each or any of the aid stations?
100% no, they are there to supply you and all the other runners with food, water and first aid only. They are not there to be used as your own personal support crew, please do not ask them to make your sports drinks, change your socks, refill your CamelBak, wipe your brow or anything else. Using them for this affects the race for everyone else as you take up their valuable time. If you can’t manage these things on your own, then you will need to bring someone to aid you, they can be placed at any of the official 24 hours aid stations.
I’m on a tight budget. I can’t afford a rental car or lots of taxis
A taxi to the race from Limassol will typically be around €30, the hire of a small car is around €50 per day (yep, it’s cheaper to rent a car). If you are entering this race on a tight budget and find these additional costs an issue, please tell us, we’ll do what we can to help with rides and car sharing but no guarantees. Please do not abuse this: if you can afford it, rent a car and leave the free seats for those who really can’t. We run this race as a family, not a business, and want to help anyone with the passion to take part.
Note also that if you are prepared to rough it, then it is perfectly possible to save on hotel costs by camping at the race location.
I’m scared of snakes
Don’t worry, the snakes are scarred of you. Besides, they can hear you coming (or rather, they can feel the vibrations). Moreover they don’t like to hang about on the trail: they prefer the scrub. Sensible snakes: on the trail there is no prey for them to eat, and they are exposed to predators (buzzards). There are seven species of snake in Cyprus. Of these, three are venomous. Of these three, two are too small and don’t have enough bite to get their fangs into you. That leaves just one bad bastard, a species of viper. Amathus Hash House Harriers have been running all over the island for 25 years, more off-trail than on, and in all that time they have had only one snake casualty. The response by the Cyprus authorities was impressive: an ambulance and three police cars were on the spot within 20 minutes. The hasher survived (don't know about the snake). One more reason to carry a cell phone.
Airport shopping list
If going trans-Atlantic, you will likely go via London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Take advantage to stock up on things that will be useful for the race. These can typically be found in airport shops, which will save you a lot of hunting around town:
Why would I go to the expense of travelling to Cyprus for an ultra?
Cyprus Ultra is not just another ultra, it has been carefully designed to test the human body and mind to its very limit, while remaining safe and enjoyable. Just imagine the feeling of swimming in the warm crystal clear Mediterranean sea the day after completing one of the toughest races on the planet. We have beautiful sandy beaches just 30 minutes from the race start location and more sunshine hours per day than just about any other European country. So instead of spending thousands of dollars travelling to a race in your own country, see somewhere new and exotic with Cyprus Ultra. This is a proper old school ultra, no pacers, no air conditioned cars for you to jump in at every mile for ice tea and a massage. If you want an easy time and have lots of money, there are plenty of these modern glory ultras out there at 10 times the cost of taking part in ours.
Where is Cyprus?
Cyprus is an island in the Eastern Mediterranean, the third-largest Mediterranean island (after Sicily and Sardinia). It is an independent country (Democratic Republic of Cyprus), a member of the European Union. The currency is the euro. The main language is Greek. However, English is widely spoken, as Cyprus is also a centre of tourism and international business. Anyone you are likely to come in contact with (taxi drivers and people in hotels, restaurants, shops etc.) will speak English. The exception is the North of the country, the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a breakaway statelet that is not recognised by any other country except Turkey. Do not make the mistake of flying to Ercan airport in the North. Until recently it was impossible to cross between North and South; now it is merely tricky. For instance, it is not possible to take a taxi across.
How do I get to Cyprus?
Cyprus is an island. There are no ferries to speak of. You have to fly. There are good air connections with all the main cities of Europe. Don’t forget to check out the budget airlines RyanAir (www.ryanair.com), Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) and Monarch (www.monarch.co.uk): they all serve Cyprus, but do not necessarily show up in sites such as Skyscanner and Travelocity. As with all budget airlines, the sooner you book, the cheaper. If you’re going transatlantic, you’ll probably come via London (either Heathrow or Gatwick). But don’t forget to check out other possible staging posts such as Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. From London you can fly to Cyprus from Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton airport, so you might have to transfer between Heathrow and Gatwick (or vice-versa) or between Heathrow and Luton. There are bus transfers that take about 1 hour (but as with all things intercontinental, leave lots of margin). Forget Gatwick to Luton or Luton to Gatwick: they are on opposite sides of London, which means going clear across town. There are two main airports in Cyprus: Paphos (sometimes spelled Pafos) and Larnaca. Of the two, Larnaca is much nearer the site of the Cyprus Ultra race. Do NOT take a flight to Ercan (in the North of Cyprus); Ercan is situated in the breakaway statelet of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” which is not recognised by any other country in the world except Turkey. Until recently it was impossible to get across the border from northern Cyprus (TRNC) to southern Cyprus (Democratic Republic of Cyprus); now it is merely tricky.
Where can I stay in Cyprus?
There is a camping area at the base station for the race where your crew can rough it (see below for details). However, your family will undoubtedly prefer the comfort of a hotel. So will you, before and after the race. The two main possibilities for hotels are Larnaca and Limassol. Both are popular tourist destinations, with lots of hotels. Larnaca is a small town and Limassol is a medium-large town (by Cyprus standards). Limassol is the nearest to the site of the race, while Larnaca is very handy for Larnaca airport. For getting to Cyprus you might fly either to Paphos or to Larnaca airport, but when it comes to accommodation Paphos is too far away to be practical. Limassol is half-way between Larnaca and Paphos, so if you’re staying in Limassol you can fly to either one.
Larnaca is about 30 minutes away from the race site by car or taxi, Limassol about 20 minutes. Most hotels in Limassol and Larnaca are on or near the seafront. It makes sense to choose a hotel with beach access, so that you (and your family) can enjoy splashing about in the Mediterranean. You will still be near enough to the race location.
There is NO hotel accommodation in Vasa village or any or the nearby villages. As for hotels, the race is in the peak tourist season, so it is not possible to get a discount (we have tried). However, the tourist trade is down at the moment, and competition in the trade means that four-star and three-star rates are pretty reasonable.
At the base station there is a shady area (lots of trees) where you can pitch a tent, with running water and toilets. It’s warm enough at that time of year that you can make do with just a groundsheet and a light sleeping bag (but bring lots of bug repellent!). Tent or no, you will want to stake out an area with all your equipment and supplies. There are NO shops in the village.
When should I travel to Cyprus?
Margin is everything, and not just during the race itself. See the remarks by Gilbert Gray (in his race blog) about the need to arrive several days in advance. You need to settle in to your hotel, organise a rental car, make sure you have a cell phone that works in Europe, get local supplies of food and drink to see you through the race, find out how to get from your hotel to the race site, etc.
If going transatlantic, be aware also that jet lag in a West-East direction is a killer. East-to-West is easy, just like staying up late at night then sleeping late the next morning. West-to-East, you wake up tired, feel tired all day and go to bed tired, then still can’t sleep. During the day you think you’re awake, but you’re not. You do stupid things like getting on the wrong train and leaving the kids behind. If coming via London, Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam, why not take a few days to see the sights while you adjust? Tip: you can buy tickets in advance on the internet for all the main London attractions such as Madame Tussauds, Tower of London, London Eye etc. You just whizz past the hour-long queues! It also makes sense to break the trip in London especially, so as to stagger the jet lag. The time difference between the US East Coast and the UK is 5 hours, UK to Cyprus is another 2 hours difference. If flying via Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Frankfurt the differences are 6 hours and 1 hour respectively.
How do I get from my hotel to the race location?
By rental car or taxi. Given that the race is over a couple of days, and then there is the celebration meal after, and probably you will want to check out the location beforehand anyway, it’s cheaper to hire a car for 3 or 4 days than to get taxis up and down every day. The hotel people will tell you where you can hire a car; they might even arrange it for you directly. Of course, like all these things it works out less expensive if you can shop around and arrange it beforehand.
Taxis are plentiful at both airports (Paphos and Larnaca) as well big name car hire companies. Car hire is around €55 per day for a micro size, €70 for something bigger, €90+ for 4 x 4s.
You will probably be staying in Larnaca or Limassol (there are no hotels in the village). Both are popular tourist destinations, so there is no problem finding a car rental firm in town. Larnaca is about 30 minutes drive away from the race location, Limassol about 40 minutes.
If taking a taxi, be aware that there are TWO villages in Cyprus called Vasa. The one you want is “Vasa Kellakiou” (i.e. Vasa near Kellaki). Unfortunately, the other Vasa is a popular destination, our Vasa is not. So the taxi driver will automatically head for the wrong Vasa. When booking a taxi, you MUST specify “Vasa Kellakiou”. Even that is not enough: the message will probably get lost along the way. So when you step into the taxi, say again: “Vasa KELLAKIOU.”
Is there anything I need to know about driving in Cyprus?
In Cyprus they drive on the left (a legacy of British colonial rule). It’s actually surprisingly easy to get used to. Watch out for details such as taking roundabouts clockwise (when you get to a roundabout, turn left). The main danger is that after stopping or parking for a while, the driver forgets and pulls away on the right instead of the left. It is the duty of whoever is in the passenger’s seat to say “Remember to drive on the left.”
Apart from that, if you’re not used to a manual gear shift then you must remember to ask for an automatic. There's no difficulty about getting one, as long as you ask.
Will my laptop (hairdryer, shaver etc.) work in Cyprus?
Voltage in Europe (including Cyprus) is 230 V. In the USA it is 110 V. That’s bad news for hairdryers and shavers, but all laptop transformers accept both voltages. The difficulty is the power sockets. US power sockets are different from UK sockets, which in turn are different from continental European sockets. Cyprus uses the UK system (it used to be a British colony). So you need a US/UK adaptor. The best place to get one is the airport shop (for instance, if you are coming via London). Hotels in Cyprus regularly provide UK/European adaptors, but US/UK is trickier. Ask when you arrive: you might be lucky. It’s also useful to have a UK plug with USB connector (for charging your Garmin, iPhone, Kindle etc.). These are sold in airport shops.
The race seems very challenging, is it for elite ultra runners only?
We have created the perfect ultra marathon for one simple reason, we designed a course where the runners are no further than 3 miles from the safety of the main starting area and base camp. A 13.5 mile loop in a figure of eight means a runner can quit at anytime and be picked up by one of our support vehicles within approx 20 minutes of making the call. We want Cyprus Ultra to be a race for everyone. Only the runner’s fitness level and how much they train for an extreme heat trail race will determine who completes the race. Those who do the best on this course are rarely the best runners, we’ve had two test races so far, the runners with a strong mind, able to stay focused in extreme heat, keeping up their calorie intake with gels and electrolytes in temperatures that kill your appetite for anything apart from ice and salt, these were the runners who did the best.
What training would you recommend for this race?
Train on big, never ending up and down hills, know your sweat rate and learn how to keep up the hydration and calories of 240 per hour in extreme heat, also knowing your electrolytes is key to race success at Cyprus Ultra. You might just sweat more than any race you’ve ran before, do not underestimate the power of the Cyprus sun and humidity. Staying cool and fuelled is far more important than your running ability at Cyprus Ultra. Learn how to keep the pace slow too, almost everyone that attempted our July race started out way too fast; if you race too fast in the morning, you will suffer big time when the afternoon heat kicks in. You need to be comfortable running at night too. It’s very lonely on this trail, there is no sign of life for 90% of the route, no lights, no noise except for snakes and lizards that scoot away as your foot steps disturb them. Learn how to deal with complete solitude while running with headlights. In 2017 you will pass four 24 hour manned stations (base station + two aid stations, passing each of the latter twice). So you will not be more than 3 miles from any of these as you run the loop. Stick with it, keep moving forward and know that it’s just a few miles until you see someone to motivate you and give you supplies if needed.
What will the terrain be like?
Typically 4 meter wide dusty jeep trails with never ending hills to climb and descend. During the race it’s unlikely that you will come across any human traffic of any kind, just a deadly silence and the occasional snake to keep you company. Each climb/descent is around a quarter mile with an elevation gain/descent of around 150 meters. You will be running up and down more hills than in any other race you have ever done before, and in heat and humidity that few can handle.
What type of shoes would you recommend?
100% trail shoes. The ones we like are those that give the most grip on very dry gravel that slips under foot. Grip is very important on the hills, slipping when going up some of the big climbs is just wasted energy. You need at least two pairs of shoes. By changing shoes you even out the wear and help to head off blisters. Conversely, if you start to get blisters, try changing shoes. Be aware also that your feet will swell during the race. If your shoes are tight at the start, they'll be murder 50 miles down the trail. So bring different sizes. See recommended gear.
Is it safe?
As safe as we can make it. There will be an ambulance and a team of professional paramedics permanently in attendance at the base station. There will also be a number of qualified first aiders. In addition there will be at least a paramedic or first aider at each checkpoint. All checkpoints can be reached by ambulance. The entire course is accessible by 4x4, so we can come and get you. You are never more than 3 miles (5 km) away from an aid station/checkpoint. We know within a mile or two where you are at all times, as we track you through the checkpoints. Cell phone coverage is good on the whole route (in fact, everywhere in Cyprus). Hospital facilities in Cyprus are first-class. Bear in mind however that this is an extreme event, so you must take safety seriously, as we do.
What can I expect on race day?
Besides one hell of a race that will push you to your limits, you can expect a friendly family feel event. No big corporate sponsors, no fanfare or circus at the start, just pure old school ultra running, eat and run, and that’s it. Our goal is that the runner who only manages to complete one lap (there will be many) has the same fun and challenging experience as the runners who complete the full distance.
What do I need to bring on race morning?
You must carry a proper hydration pack, and a cell phone, or the organisers won’t let you start. Anything else is discretionary.
At night: a headlamp or pocket torch. For the rest: running kit, sports nutrition to complete your race distance, fully charged cell phone and charger (UK plug), suitable clothing for your race distance in extreme high heat and humidity. No fully charged cell phone that works in Cyprus = no race. Why? For your safety you need to be able to call the main base camp for help while on the course. No exceptions. Make sure the battery will last for a full 48 hours. Otherwise you need to bring a spare, or charge it between laps. See recommended gear. Ice, ice, baby. We are providing cold water bottles at basecamp but no ice. It's highly recommended that you bring a ice box and purchase ice from the 24 hour store at Moni (next to petrol station).
What facilities are there at the race location?
There are NO shops and NO accommodation at the race location. No banks, no ATMs. For hotels you have to go to Larnaca or Limassol.
There is a camping area at the base station where your crew can pitch a tent. Lots of shade under the trees. Running water and toilets. You can shower, if you don’t mind using a hose, in public. But at least the water is lukewarm at that time of year.
It’s warm enough at that time of year that you can make do with just a groundsheet and a light sleeping bag (but bring lots of bug repellent!). Tent or no, you will want to stake out an area with all your equipment and supplies.
There are power points where you can plug in a laptop, cell phone charger etc. Cell phone coverage is good (but see “Will my cell phone work in Cyprus?”).
For the runners there will be fresh fruit, water and some ultra runners’ favourites such as Coke, potatoes, fresh fruit etc. These items are all vegan and are all included in the entry price.
Help! I’m going to be an hour late. Please wait
My flight has been delayed. The hotel is farther away than I thought. I can’t find the way to the village. The taxi has taken me to the wrong Vasa ...While we will be as flexible and accommodating as possible in all other respects, this is not one of them.
This is an endurance race; being on time is part of the test. By signing up for the race you undertake to be there on time. Besides, if everybody else is lined up, psyched up and fuelled up for the tremendous effort of running for 46 hours, it’s simply not fair to ask them to wait for another hour. Moreover it would cause huge logistical problems farther down the line, throwing the entire programme into disarray. There are lots of helpers and other people involved, and they are all working to a schedule. So make sure you get to Cyprus well in advance, get everything sorted out before the race, and see that you know your way to the starting point. If you’re coming from half way round the world, don’t blow the whole thing for want of margin.
Be on time, on the line.
What food and drinks will be available, do I need to bring my own?
Our aid stations will have fruit, water and some ultra runners’ favourites. These items are all vegan and are all included in the entry price. Of course you should still bring what you are used to, you can leave this at the main aid station and each time you pass you’ll have easy access to it. Please do not ask the volunteers to prepare food that you bring, they have enough to deal with without being your personal assistant.
I see in the rules that competitors have to carry a cell phone. Will my cell phone work in Cyprus?
If you are coming from Europe, yes, it definitely will. If you are coming from the USA or Canada, the answer is probably not. Most cell phones are “dual band”, i.e. they work on two frequencies: one main frequency and one backup. The trouble is, the two frequencies in Europe (including Cyprus) are different from those in the USA. A tri-band phone has a chance of working. A quad-band phone works everywhere in the world. All smartphones are quad-band (but check the specs just to be sure: it should list 4 frequencies).
Where can I buy an inexpensive European cell phone?
If coming via London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Frankfurt you will be able to buy a cell phone in the airport shops. However, they tend to be higher-end models. The airport shops in Larnaca and Paphos (arrivals as well as departures) sell “Connection packs” (phone + SIM card with 5 euros of talk time) for 30 euros. You can buy a cheap, dumb cell phone in Cyprus for 20 euros (if you’re lucky), certainly for 25 or 30 euros. You can get pay-as-you-go SIM cards (5 or 10 euros) from any newspaper kiosk. One more reason why you should get to Cyprus a day or two early, to take care of details like that!
Do I need sun protection?
Definitely: a legionnaire’s cap or other means of protecting your neck. A cap with a peak in front to keep the sun off your face. Body-wise, best to be covered between elbows and knees. Otherwise bring lots of factor 50. Remember that you will be exposed from sun-up to sun-down. The UV up on the exposed ridges is pretty cruel. Be aware that it can strike even through a T-shirt. It doesn’t have to be full-on sunburn: any tenderness can lead to chafing which eventually becomes catastrophic. So even underneath clothing you should apply suncream on your neck and shoulders, forearms, thighs (front) and calves (back).
When you first check into your hotel you will be tempted to hit the beach. Don’t. Let your hubby and kids go the beach, but you must keep fully covered and stay indoors. Same reason as above: you must avoid even the slightest tenderness. The precautionary principle applies, i.e. better safe than sorry. In Cyprus, the sun is your enemy: don’t try to catch the sun, the sun will catch you! Leave the sunbathing until after the race.
How do I deal with chafing and blisters?
The best way is to head them off before they start. Avoid cotton clothing: it gets sweaty, then rubs and chafes. You need a high-spec shirt. Take at least one full change of trail clothing. There are various propriety products to prevent/treat chafing. Old stand-bys are Vaseline or even better Sudocrem (used to treat nappy-rash). Carry some of whatever works for you with you on the trail, and apply it at the first, slightest twinge, wherever it hurts. Don’t be afraid to stick your hand down the front of your shorts (or wherever): it’s lonely out there on the trail. For blisters, use Compeed sticking plasters. Available in any drugstore (called “chemist’s shop” on this side of the Atlantic). Absolutely magic, second skin. Protects while reducing friction. Leave them on until they drop off in the shower, 3 or 4 days later. Same thing goes: carry them on the trail, and apply at the very first twinge or sign of hotfoot. Don’t wait for it to get bad. Just sit down and take off your shoe.
Can I have pacers run with me?
No, and we mean no. It’s only a 13.5 mile loop, you will pass at least three 24 hour manned aid stations to support you as you complete each loop. This is a proper old school ultra, no pacers, no air conditioned cars for you to jump in at every mile for ice tea and a massage. If you want an easy time and have lots of money, there are plenty of these modern glory ultras out there at 10 x the cost of taking part in ours.
Can I have my own support crew with me?
Yes, but only at the base station. We are very strict about this: if we see any non-competitors hanging around on the trail or at the aid stations, any associated runner(s) will be disqualified. It's a matter of ensuring that nobody has an unfair advantage. No pacers, no help anywhere on the trail. Resist the temptation to walk up the road to get a better photograph.
Will there be any refreshments at the start location?
For the runners there will be fresh fruit, tea, coffee and water along with some ultra runners’ favourites These items are all vegan and are all included in the entry price.
What is the cut off finish time for the 135 mile Donkey Ultra?
10.5 laps within 46 hours, last lap will require runners to run the lower section once more to make the 135 distance. Everything will be explained at the race safety meeting.
What happens if at any point of the race it doesn’t look like I’m going to make the cut off time?
We’ll be basing your estimated finish time on your last lap, if it seems impossible for you to make the cut off time and you are not looking in good shape, you will be asked to stop running and listed as DNF. Why so harsh? Safety, no other reason. This decision will be at the discretion of the race directors and medical staff.
On Saturday afternoon, on your second loop in daylight, you should start to memorise the course. Note possible hazards such as rocks on the trail (that you might trip over), or deep ruts (where you could twist an ankle). Take note also of trail junctions and sudden changes of direction. At junctions the direction to follow will be indicated at night by glow-sticks, but it's best to be prepared! It's better to go on time (your watch) rather than distance (your Garmin), because Garmin batteries have a nasty habit of packing in at the wrong moment. So, something like: "10 minutes after the bottom checkpoint, watch out for a left turn at the crossroads".
I’m vegetarian/vegan. Will that be a problem?
Welcome to the club. Nope, that won’t be a problem. Leastways, not more than anywhere else in the world. All runner's supplies during the race will be vegan.
I can’t afford to bring a crew with me, can I ask the volunteers to assist me at each or any of the aid stations?
100% no, they are there to supply you and all the other runners with food, water and first aid only. They are not there to be used as your own personal support crew, please do not ask them to make your sports drinks, change your socks, refill your CamelBak, wipe your brow or anything else. Using them for this affects the race for everyone else as you take up their valuable time. If you can’t manage these things on your own, then you will need to bring someone to aid you, they can be placed at any of the official 24 hours aid stations.
I’m on a tight budget. I can’t afford a rental car or lots of taxis
A taxi to the race from Limassol will typically be around €30, the hire of a small car is around €50 per day (yep, it’s cheaper to rent a car). If you are entering this race on a tight budget and find these additional costs an issue, please tell us, we’ll do what we can to help with rides and car sharing but no guarantees. Please do not abuse this: if you can afford it, rent a car and leave the free seats for those who really can’t. We run this race as a family, not a business, and want to help anyone with the passion to take part.
Note also that if you are prepared to rough it, then it is perfectly possible to save on hotel costs by camping at the race location.
I’m scared of snakes
Don’t worry, the snakes are scarred of you. Besides, they can hear you coming (or rather, they can feel the vibrations). Moreover they don’t like to hang about on the trail: they prefer the scrub. Sensible snakes: on the trail there is no prey for them to eat, and they are exposed to predators (buzzards). There are seven species of snake in Cyprus. Of these, three are venomous. Of these three, two are too small and don’t have enough bite to get their fangs into you. That leaves just one bad bastard, a species of viper. Amathus Hash House Harriers have been running all over the island for 25 years, more off-trail than on, and in all that time they have had only one snake casualty. The response by the Cyprus authorities was impressive: an ambulance and three police cars were on the spot within 20 minutes. The hasher survived (don't know about the snake). One more reason to carry a cell phone.
Airport shopping list
If going trans-Atlantic, you will likely go via London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Take advantage to stock up on things that will be useful for the race. These can typically be found in airport shops, which will save you a lot of hunting around town:
- Sudocrem or Vaseline (for chafing) (in the drugstore: called a “chemist’s shop” or “pharmacy” on this side of the Atlantic)
- Compeed sticking plasters (for blisters) (also in the chemist’s). This wonderful product is not available in the USA (not that we’ve heard)
- European cell phone (if they stock a cheap model, not more than 30 euros)
- US/UK power socket adaptor (Cyprus uses the UK system). You can also find such adaptors in US airports that serve UK destinations
- USB power connector (useful for charging your Garmin, iPhone/iPad or Kindle). Alternatively, bring your own USB connector and use a US/UK adaptor.
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