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Final Race: 2019-10-31 at 10pm GMT - Stage 10 (Pelargir to Minas Tirith)
The MCME Grand Tour is a series of races, inspired by the Tour de France, where each race starts (roughly) where the previous race finished, and each is run multiple times.
The Races
Each race will be conducted multiple times, to ensure that everyone can take part and get a score. Everyone’s times will be recorded in a spreadsheet so that the scores can be calculated. For each racer, only their best time will count.
The races will be run over a period of one month. I will aim to run one race a day at the start of the race period and one a day at the end of the race period, which will probably lead up to the closing ceremony. Other guides can run races at other times, and indeed it is my hope that an American guide can run races in the American evenings.
Scoring
For each race, the score will be a racer’s position, to account for the fact that races are of different lengths. Consequently, the lowest score will be the winner. In the event of a tie, the winner will be the one with the lowest total time.
In the event of a participant failing to complete a race (DNF), or missing a race (DNS), those who started but did not complete the race will be ranked below those who did complete the race and above those who did not start.
Schedule
Tue 1st October - Thu 10th October: Each stage is run for the first time, one a day, with stage 1 on the 1st and stage 10 on the 10th. The times will be announced a day or two in advance.
Fri 11th October - Mon 21st October: Stages are repeated as demanded. Stages might also be repeated (by any guide or minigames badge holder) after they have first been run and before they are last run.
Tue 22nd October - Thu 30th October: Each stage is run for the last time, one a day, with stage 1 on the 22nd and stage 9 on the 30th. The times will be announced a day or two in advance.
Fri 31st October: Stage 10 is run for the last time and the winner is announced.
The Course
1) Bag End - Bree
Starts at Bag End and follow’s Frodo’s route to Bree. In some parts of the Shire and in the Old Forest, the trees are very close to each other, so some checkpoints might not be easy to spot - follow the footprints and you’ll be OK! The stage finishes at the Prancing Pony.
2) Bree - Rivendell
Starting where the last stage finished at the Prancing Pony, this one also mostly follows the route of the fellowship. Through the Chetwood, near Bree, it can again be a little difficult to spot the checkpoints, so follow the footprints! After crossing the Midgewater, the stage reaches Weathertop. The route diverges briefly from Frodo’s path to cross over the summit here, then rejoins it near the road. After the Last Bridge and the Trollshaws, the stage crosses the Bruinen fords and follows the fellowship’s path (keep an eye on the white stones and footprints if you can’t see the checkpoints around the trees) to Rivendell, finishing at the council chamber.
3) Rivendell - Isengard
Probably the longest stage, this starts above the ford of Bruinen and continues south through Eregion. The route leaves the path to cross Hollin Ridge, before climbing up the side of Warg Hill, joining the path taken by the fellowship for a short while. Shortly before reaching Moria, however, the stage turns right to Ost-in-Edhil, which it goes through (watch out for the tunnel!). Leaving the paths, it crosses the Glanduin and reaches a thickly wooded area, where it crosses another river and climbs up into the Misty Mountains. There is an rp change here. Descending down into Nan Curunír, it finishes on the ring of Isengard
4) Isengard - Entmoot
Starting at the gate of Isengard, this course immediately enters Orthanc and heads to the top, followed by a jump back down to the bottom. The stage then proceeds to the ring of Isengard and continues along the top, climbing off at the northern end (near the finish of stage 3). It then follows the young Isen up into the Misty Mountains, climbing down again into Fangorn, near Wellinghall. Meeting up with Merry and Pippin’s route through the forest, it continues to Derndingle, where it finishes.
5) Entmoot - Dunharrow
This stage starts in Derndingle and continues through Fangorn until it enters Rohan, where racers will need to swim across the Deeping-stream to Falstrim. Note that it is impossible to swim ashore at the docks - one must instead land to the right. The route then crosses the Riddermark and the Snowbourn, before arriving at Edoras. Here, it runs along some roads through the city, before climbing onto the walls, continuing to behind Meduseld, where racers will be required to jump off a tower, joining the road to Dunharrow. The stage continues through Harrowdale, climbing the Stair of the Hold and finishing at the entrance to Dimholt.
6) Dunharrow - Erech (The Paths of the Dead)
If you think that there are enough checkpoints here to show you how to get around, you’re sadly mistaken. Also, if you only know the way around with /fly, you’re going to find this hard. There are two checkpoints in the paths at crucial points of the route, just to prevent you from going over the mountains. Note that the RP changes when you leave the paths. After the paths of the dead, the checkpoints resume, following Aragorn’s route to the Stone of Erech.
7) Erech - Aelhroth
This is the first stage that is run entirely on paved roads and paths, and doesn’t feature any cross-country! Starting at Erech, it passes Tree’s Hollow and Rendul, before crossing the Morthond nearby. It then continues through Langdale to Aelhroth, where it follows the cliff-top path to end looking over the Sea.
8) Aelhroth - Dol Amroth
Starting by the Aelhroth bridge, this stage initially reverses down the end of the previous stage, before turning towards Edhellond. Racers will need to swim across the Morthond to reach the haven. Leaving Edhellond, the route cuts over a hill to reach the road to Dol Amroth. It passes through the detached northern section, before continuing around the Harbour to get to the main city, finishing at the palace.
9) Dol Amroth - Pelargir
This stage starts at Dol Amroth, and follows the road to Linhir. Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of incomplete farmland in the vicinity of this route. The only named settlements on this route are Ironmere and Linhir. The stage continues to Pelargir, where it finishes at the theatre.
10) Pelargir - Minas Tirith
This race starts in the Palace of Pelargir, before leaving the city on the road to Minas Tirith. Crossing the river Erui and the Rammas Echor, it enters Minas Tirith by the gate and follows the footprints to the highest level, finishing by the throne of Gondor.
If the format is repeated, there will probably be a different course. Note to organiser - it would be a good idea to get people to help you test the courses beforehand so that there aren't any issues.
How other guides can help
I have saved all stages, named MEGT1, MEGT2 etc.. Feel free to run any of the stages between when I run it for the first time (which will be for race n on the nth October, eg. race 5 will be on the 5th) and when I run it for the last time (which will be for race n on the (21+n)th October, eg. race 5 will be on the 26th). All I need to know is who started the race and the times of everyone who finished. Please give everyone a change to finish.
Prizes
The winner’s prize will be awarded when the tour is completed.
There will be a few additional prizes awarded:
The MCME Grand Tour is a series of races, inspired by the Tour de France, where each race starts (roughly) where the previous race finished, and each is run multiple times.
The Races
Each race will be conducted multiple times, to ensure that everyone can take part and get a score. Everyone’s times will be recorded in a spreadsheet so that the scores can be calculated. For each racer, only their best time will count.
The races will be run over a period of one month. I will aim to run one race a day at the start of the race period and one a day at the end of the race period, which will probably lead up to the closing ceremony. Other guides can run races at other times, and indeed it is my hope that an American guide can run races in the American evenings.
Scoring
For each race, the score will be a racer’s position, to account for the fact that races are of different lengths. Consequently, the lowest score will be the winner. In the event of a tie, the winner will be the one with the lowest total time.
In the event of a participant failing to complete a race (DNF), or missing a race (DNS), those who started but did not complete the race will be ranked below those who did complete the race and above those who did not start.
Schedule
Tue 1st October - Thu 10th October: Each stage is run for the first time, one a day, with stage 1 on the 1st and stage 10 on the 10th. The times will be announced a day or two in advance.
Fri 11th October - Mon 21st October: Stages are repeated as demanded. Stages might also be repeated (by any guide or minigames badge holder) after they have first been run and before they are last run.
Tue 22nd October - Thu 30th October: Each stage is run for the last time, one a day, with stage 1 on the 22nd and stage 9 on the 30th. The times will be announced a day or two in advance.
Fri 31st October: Stage 10 is run for the last time and the winner is announced.
The Course
1) Bag End - Bree
Starts at Bag End and follow’s Frodo’s route to Bree. In some parts of the Shire and in the Old Forest, the trees are very close to each other, so some checkpoints might not be easy to spot - follow the footprints and you’ll be OK! The stage finishes at the Prancing Pony.
2) Bree - Rivendell
Starting where the last stage finished at the Prancing Pony, this one also mostly follows the route of the fellowship. Through the Chetwood, near Bree, it can again be a little difficult to spot the checkpoints, so follow the footprints! After crossing the Midgewater, the stage reaches Weathertop. The route diverges briefly from Frodo’s path to cross over the summit here, then rejoins it near the road. After the Last Bridge and the Trollshaws, the stage crosses the Bruinen fords and follows the fellowship’s path (keep an eye on the white stones and footprints if you can’t see the checkpoints around the trees) to Rivendell, finishing at the council chamber.
3) Rivendell - Isengard
Probably the longest stage, this starts above the ford of Bruinen and continues south through Eregion. The route leaves the path to cross Hollin Ridge, before climbing up the side of Warg Hill, joining the path taken by the fellowship for a short while. Shortly before reaching Moria, however, the stage turns right to Ost-in-Edhil, which it goes through (watch out for the tunnel!). Leaving the paths, it crosses the Glanduin and reaches a thickly wooded area, where it crosses another river and climbs up into the Misty Mountains. There is an rp change here. Descending down into Nan Curunír, it finishes on the ring of Isengard
4) Isengard - Entmoot
Starting at the gate of Isengard, this course immediately enters Orthanc and heads to the top, followed by a jump back down to the bottom. The stage then proceeds to the ring of Isengard and continues along the top, climbing off at the northern end (near the finish of stage 3). It then follows the young Isen up into the Misty Mountains, climbing down again into Fangorn, near Wellinghall. Meeting up with Merry and Pippin’s route through the forest, it continues to Derndingle, where it finishes.
5) Entmoot - Dunharrow
This stage starts in Derndingle and continues through Fangorn until it enters Rohan, where racers will need to swim across the Deeping-stream to Falstrim. Note that it is impossible to swim ashore at the docks - one must instead land to the right. The route then crosses the Riddermark and the Snowbourn, before arriving at Edoras. Here, it runs along some roads through the city, before climbing onto the walls, continuing to behind Meduseld, where racers will be required to jump off a tower, joining the road to Dunharrow. The stage continues through Harrowdale, climbing the Stair of the Hold and finishing at the entrance to Dimholt.
6) Dunharrow - Erech (The Paths of the Dead)
If you think that there are enough checkpoints here to show you how to get around, you’re sadly mistaken. Also, if you only know the way around with /fly, you’re going to find this hard. There are two checkpoints in the paths at crucial points of the route, just to prevent you from going over the mountains. Note that the RP changes when you leave the paths. After the paths of the dead, the checkpoints resume, following Aragorn’s route to the Stone of Erech.
7) Erech - Aelhroth
This is the first stage that is run entirely on paved roads and paths, and doesn’t feature any cross-country! Starting at Erech, it passes Tree’s Hollow and Rendul, before crossing the Morthond nearby. It then continues through Langdale to Aelhroth, where it follows the cliff-top path to end looking over the Sea.
8) Aelhroth - Dol Amroth
Starting by the Aelhroth bridge, this stage initially reverses down the end of the previous stage, before turning towards Edhellond. Racers will need to swim across the Morthond to reach the haven. Leaving Edhellond, the route cuts over a hill to reach the road to Dol Amroth. It passes through the detached northern section, before continuing around the Harbour to get to the main city, finishing at the palace.
9) Dol Amroth - Pelargir
This stage starts at Dol Amroth, and follows the road to Linhir. Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of incomplete farmland in the vicinity of this route. The only named settlements on this route are Ironmere and Linhir. The stage continues to Pelargir, where it finishes at the theatre.
10) Pelargir - Minas Tirith
This race starts in the Palace of Pelargir, before leaving the city on the road to Minas Tirith. Crossing the river Erui and the Rammas Echor, it enters Minas Tirith by the gate and follows the footprints to the highest level, finishing by the throne of Gondor.
If the format is repeated, there will probably be a different course. Note to organiser - it would be a good idea to get people to help you test the courses beforehand so that there aren't any issues.
How other guides can help
I have saved all stages, named MEGT1, MEGT2 etc.. Feel free to run any of the stages between when I run it for the first time (which will be for race n on the nth October, eg. race 5 will be on the 5th) and when I run it for the last time (which will be for race n on the (21+n)th October, eg. race 5 will be on the 26th). All I need to know is who started the race and the times of everyone who finished. Please give everyone a change to finish.
Prizes
The winner’s prize will be awarded when the tour is completed.
There will be a few additional prizes awarded:
- Time prize, for the racer with the quickest overall time
- Participation prize, for the racer who completed every stage but with the worst result
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