As for doing the race fast, let me just say that I totally fell into the trap of thinking I could race long days and finish quickly. Racing in Scotland is not easy. Several sections might as well be BV to Silverton simply because all the main resupply services close about 8pm and don't reopen until 8am. The problem there is you still have a good 7-8 hrs of light in between there so you want to keep racing but if you do, you might miss a town at the right time. You're constantly thinking "do I speed up, slow down, or carry 30 lbs of food from this town?" I'm sure this new section Alan has cooked up will make this race even more remote and epic! Just don't underestimate any bit of the course. Racers who were ctr vets said this course was every bit as hard or harder, minus the altitude. Now it's 100 miles longer and I wonder if there was a deliciously painful reason why Alan didn't include that this year ;-) That being said, I implore everyone on this forum to consider doing this race or an ITT. It's stunningly beautiful and you won't regret it....unless you rely solely on an e-bivy as shelter, like me.
I completely agree (although cant comment on the CTR yet). Not to be underestimated (which I did, but managed 12th) but an excellent route. I would add that some of the shops, some just off route closed earlier than 8...
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