THIS IS A CLOSED EVENT FOR
GWENT LEISURE CENTRE LEAGUE MEMBERS ONLY
|
RACE |
GLCL XC 23/24 Race 3 Spirit of Monmouth |
|
HOST |
Spirit of Monmouth RC |
|
VENUE |
NOTE THE NEW VENUE! Oldfield Farm, Garway Hill,
Herefordshire HR2 8HA (adjacent to “Oldfield Forge”) WHAT-THREE-WORDS w3w.co/jaws.clincher.rare  |
|
DATE |
7th January 2024 |
|
CONTACT DETAILS |
David Mather email:
wdmather@gmail.com |
|
TIMETABLE |
GLCL Race briefing 10.50 GLCL Race
start time. 11.00 |
PARKING
Oldfield Farm can
be found along a narrow country lane leading from Garway village. It can be
found easily because it shares an entrance with the prominently marked OLDFIELD
FORGE. Please note that the Oldfield Forge offers blacksmithing experience to
the public and it will be operational on race day. It will have its own
dedicated car park. Please fully respect
the owners and customers of Oldfield Forge – they have been amenable to us
holding the race here. It is essential that their customer’s go home happy.
Parking is
limited at Oldfield Farm. The available parking area is approximately 50%
greater than the area used at our previous venue, but critically, there are NO
overflow options within about 1.3 miles because nearby roads are all narrow. We
are therefore confident that there will be enough space if everyone
collaborates to car share. Car park marshals will guide you into available
spaces on arrival. In the very unlikely event that on-site parking fills up,
you would need to park in Garway village, 1.3 miles away and if you do, please
do it sensibly and sympathetically to residents. The start and
finish lines are close to the car parking.
TOILETS
Portable
toilet facilities will be available in the farmyard.
COURSE
This relatively challenging farmland course is 4.9 miles (7.9km)
long and sits in beautiful rolling countryside.
The course starts and finishes in a field adjacent to the car park and mostly
follows field boundaries, with one small woodland section. The core course is
effectively a 3.2 miles long loop. Broadly speaking, runners will first run a
partial loop measuring approx. 1.7 miles then the full 3.2 mile loop. See
illustrations.
The fields are generally on sloping ground and the total
elevation gain amounts to 827 feet (168 feet per mile). Marshals will be present at key turning
points and tape will be used to mark the course appropriately.
Underfoot, it will
be grass and/or soil. It will be suitable for spikes (recommended) and if not
wearing spikes, it is highly recommended that footwear suitable for wet
slippery mud is worn.
This is a working farm, though animals will be moved
beforehand. However, runners need to be
aware of the consequences of farm (and wild) animal occupation of the fields
we’re using – causing mud, muck and potentially holes and molehills that can
appear overnight. We will be running
close to a badger set.
Note that small sections of this route follow a path that
is a Public Footpath. Rarely used, but if members of the public are there,
please be respectful.
ELEVATION PROFILE
THE COURSE CAN BE VIEWED IN FURTHER DETAIL HERE: https://www.plotaroute.com/map/2444433
FIRST AID
St John’s Ambulance will provide First Aid cover, with a
vehicle on site near the Start / Finish
RISK ASSESSMENT
CAR
PARKING: Pedestrians and Vehicles in a
shared space. Take particular care – and
follow the instructions of Parking Marshals. Please vacate the car park area
when your presence there is not necessary.
WORKING
FARM: This
is a working farm, though animals will be moved beforehand. However, runners need to be aware of the
consequences of farm (and wild) animal occupation of the fields we’re using –
causing mud, muck and potentially holes, molehills etc that can appear overnight. We will be running close to a badger set, which
will be taped off.
Three specific course
hazards: On the previously shown map, three specific hazards have been marked
as ‘Haz A, B & C’.
Hazard A is a gate where
there is a greater than average drop in elevation – a danger of falling if
taken too quickly. This will be well
marshalled. Please take it SLOWLY. As appropriate,
the surface which is currently gravelled for a distance of approximately 1-2 metres, will be matted or otherwise protected
to allow spiked shoes to safely negotiate it.
Hazard B – At the time of the
risk assessment, there were two large holes resulting from a badger set. This
will be taped off.
Hazard C – Running through
the wood does need a little more care to avoid potential trips. No expected to
be a significant risk but do take care.
CHALLENGING Course: This
course is in the mid-range in terms of distance. The elevation profile does
make it tougher than some – runners should feel fit to take on the challenge
which has been well described in this document.
The conditions of the course
will be monitored – particularly in the event that weather is particularly wet
or frosty and the course will be checked carefully on the weekend of the race.
Some potential alternative field boundaries have been identified that might
shorten the course or perhaps omit sections that suffer from particularly bad
conditions,
PUBLIC FOOTPATH – Note that
small sections of this route follow a path that is a Public Footpath. Rarely
used, but if members of the public are there, please be respectful.
UKA PERMIT
Permit number Link to image
of UKA Race Permit. [When Available, the official licence will replace the
initial notice of approval that is shown below]
OFFICIALS
Race Referee – Mike Heare
Race Director – David Mather
OTHER INFO
RACE NUMBER / TIMING CHIPS
No number/chip = no result for you (don't start without one)
Wear the number most recently allocated - if you use an old
one you find at home and it's not currently registered to you, you will not
appear in the results
Please make sure you do not hold your hand over your
number/chip when you cross the finish line - hold arms to side or above your
head. You may not get registered by the system and the backup video at the
finish will not record your number.
Please do not get close to the timing equipment (finish)
once you've been through the finish once. Repeated 'pings' slow down the
results system
Please do not take unused chips (from runners who are not
running) close to the finish.... otherwise those not attending will appear in
the results.
Full details can be found here on the GLCL
Website - Entry / Registration Section
HEADPHONES
In accordance with UKA Rule 240 S 5, the wearing of
headphones, or similar devices, is not permitted in this race. Non-compliance
will result in the disqualification of the athlete and if deemed necessary a
points penalty against the offending club.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Please adhere to the Code of Conduct at all times. Full details can be found here on the GLCL
Website - Rules
COMPETITION RULES
Full details can be found here on the GLCL
Website - Rules
