Start Times
Points to Consider for the Entrant
To aid you in choosing your start time the table below shows the maximum average speed to avoid arriving early at checkpoints as well as the minimum average speed to avoid late arrival at checkpoints.
| Average speed (mph) | Leg | ||||||||
| Checkpoint | Open | Close | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | miles |
| Start | Sat 10:00 | Sat 14:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | 14:00 | ||||
| CP1 Crossways | Sat 12:20 | Sat 17:00 | 4.2 | 1.4 | N/A | 2.0 | N/A | 3.3 | 9.8 |
| CP2 Briantspuddle | Sat 14:00 | Sat 19:00 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 8.4 | 2.4 | N/A | 3.4 | 6.9 |
| CP3 Dewlish | Sat 15:20 | Sat 21:00 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 6.7 | 2.5 | N/A | 3.2 | 5.6 |
| CP4 Ansty | Sat 18:00 | Sun 01:15 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 8.1 | 2.9 | 10.2 |
| CP5 Buckland Newton | Sat 19:50 | Sun 04:10 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 5.0 | 2.4 | 6.7 | 2.7 | 6.2 |
| CP6 Wardon Hill | Sat 22:00 | Sun 07:30 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 5.8 | 2.6 | 7.5 |
| CP7 Evershot | Sat 22:45 | Sun 09:00 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 5.7 | 2.6 | 3.1 |
| CP8a Beaminster (Baggage) | Sun 00:40 | Sun 12:00 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 2.4 | 5.4 | 2.6 | 8.1 |
| CP8b Beaminster (Breakfast) | Sun 00:45 | Sun 12:45 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 0.2 |
| CP9 Blackdown | Sun 03:30 | Sun 16:10 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 6.6 |
| CP10 Netherbury | Sun 05:15 | Sun 19:50 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 2.4 | 7.5 |
| CP11 Powerstock | Sun 06:20 | Sun 22:00 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 2.4 | 4.6 |
| CP12 Loders | Sun 08:00 | Mon 01:00 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 6.4 |
| CP13 Long Bredy | Sun 09:50 | Mon 04:40 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 4.6 | 2.3 | 7.8 |
| CP14 Portesham | Sun 11:00 | Mon 07:00 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 4.5 |
| Finish | Sun 12:30 | Mon 10:00 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 6.5 |
| 101.7 | |||||||||
From the table you can see (if you study it carefully!)
- The finish opens 26 hours and 30 minutes after the 10:00 start this also allows 14:00 starters to target a sub 24 hour 100. Entrants completing the route in less than 28 hours must start at 14:00 otherwise they will be held up waiting for checkpoints and/or the finish to open.
- Entrants who start at 10:00 and average over 4.2 mph will arrive at checkpoint 1 and 2 early and will be held up until the checkpoints open. If they start at 12:00 they will be fine.
- Entrants starting at 14:00 would only have to average 3.3 mph to beat the closing time of the first three CPs after this they would only need to travel at an average of 3mph to finish at 23:00 on Sunday.
Our Recommendations
The rule that will be enforced is that checkpoints will not open early for 10:00 or 12:00 starters. If you arrive early you will have to wait outside the checkpoint even if it is raining.
Therefore our strong recommendations are:
- Start at 14:00 if you aim to complete the event in less than 28 hours
- Start at 12:00 if you expect to complete the event in 28 to 33 hours.
- If you expect to complete in 28 to 33 hours and you start at 10:00, don't run or jog the early stages of the event otherwise you are in danger of arriving early at checkpoints.
- If you expect to finish in less than 23 hours please contact us to discuss a later start. You may not be fully supported at all checkpoints.
Some questions answered
Why not have a single start at 10:00am? One reason is cost. Village halls charge by the hour, later checkpoints would be open for much longer and event entry fees would have to be higher. Another reason is the length of time marshals (all volunteers) would be on duty, particularly at the later checkpoints.
Why enforce opening times? If not enforced the problem is passed on to the following checkpoints. It has to be enforced at some checkpoint so it may as well be at the first one. Remember this will not be enforced for 14:00 starters at any checkpoint.
Why should I start at 12:00 or 14:00? If you expect to complete the Dorset 100 in a fast time, by starting later than 10:00 you will:
- Avoid being held up at checkpoints.
- Be 2 to 4 hours fresher overnight and on the Sunday; starting later doesn't seem to slow the runners down so why would it slow the fast walkers/joggers?
- Not be held up by slower walkers in the first mile or two.
- Get a psychological boost when overtaking those starting at 10:00.
Can I change my starting time? Yes this can be changed at any time up to and including on the day.
