Date : Tuesday 29thAug 2023,
Venue : Aust Services, M48, Junction 1, Bristol BS35 4BH
Host : Chepstow Harriers
Time : Race starts 07:30pm.
Distance : Race distance approx.
8K.
On behalf of Chepstow Harriers welcome to the 4th of four road
races of the 2023 GLCL Series, starting by Aust Services and finishing by the
footbridge on the downstream side of the bridge.
Thanks to everyone working behind the scenes throughout the 2023 GLCL
Road Race Series; Emma King , Marc
Cross, Paul Dodd and others.
Thanks to our race official for this event; Mike Heare.
Thanks to all the event marshals and helpers.
Option 1.
Parking at the Chepstow end of the bridge and jog across for
your warm up.
You may wish to park around the Thornwell area of Chepstow (
postcode for Tesco Express: NP16 5TY) and jog across the bridge as part of your
warm up/warm down routine. There is no designated parking in this area so
please park giving consideration to local residents and be aware of any parking
time limits.
Option 2 Aust
Services
Parking is available at Aust Services (M48, Junction 1,
Bristol BS35 4BH) however there is a 2
hour time limit only in the car park which is monitored by ANPR cameras. It
is a short walk/jog from here to the start line.
Option 3 Manor Farm
BS35 4AT
The final option is parking at Manor Farm. A number of yards
are available and you will be directed where to park by the marshals, though it
is limited and we would always encourage car sharing as much as possible. As
you turn off the roundabout onto the B4461 look for the sign on your left
“Manor Farm Only”. We have been provided
this parking for free by the farm owner, however he has asked for a donation to
the charity Headway which supports people with brain injuries, if you would
like to donate then the marshals will have collection buckets available.
There is a short walk/jog to the start line, heading back to the junction
roundabout.
Toilets:
There are toilets available at Aust Services, as you go into
the main entrance take a right turn. Please allow time to get back from the
toilets to the start line
There are toilets available at Manor Farm. There are 3
inside and 1 outside. Please ensure that
you leave the toilets clean and tidy. Please allow time to get to the start
line from the toilets.
Course Overview:
The course starts just below Aust Services between the
footbridge and the junction roundabout. The course finishes on the downstream
side by the footbridge over the motorway. The course is approximately 8k in
distance
Points to note:
- The start point is quite
narrow, so please ensure that you line up according to how fast you will
be running so as to avoid any congestion early on.
- The path onto and off the
bridge narrows due to a gate to stop cars, please be aware of this
narrowing as you are running. The first gate point onto the bridge will be
marshalled, the others will not.
- We do not have exclusive
use of the bridge, there could be other runners, walkers, cyclists and
motorbikes using the bridge. Please ensure that you keep to the right hand
side of the course at all times unless overtaking.
- The entire bridge is lit,
however the exit to the finish, about 500m is not. Sunset on Tuesday 29th
August is 20:04. There should be ambient light for about 30 mins after
that. If you feel that this may be an issue for you then we would advise
using a headtorch.
- Once you have finished
your race you can return to the car parks via the footbridge over the
motorway.
- It
is really important that you do not go back through or near the finish
area with your number bib. This will cause problems for the time keepers
and delay the release of the results, which we all know is done very
quickly.
Course in detail:
The start is between the footbridge and the junction
roundabout on the upstream side.
It is an uphill start until you reach the apex of the bridge
after which you have a gentle descent followed by a flat section over the Wye
and through the gate.
A short climb takes you to the U turn where you will be
directed down the hill to the tunnel under the bridge. Please take care of the bollards in the path used to stop cars
Here you will be directed right under the bridge and left at
the end of the tunnel to start the downstream side.
There is another climb here, with another bollard at the top
where you re join the bridge.
Continue on the downstream side, with a flat section over
the Wye and once again a climb to the apex of the bridge.
You will descend from the apex and through the final gate,
shortly after there will be a short sharp climb up to the finish.
RACE NUMBER / TIMING CHIPS
Remember you must wear your race number and timing chip; no timing
chip means you are not recorded at the finish, and you will not score
individual or team points. If you require a number/timing chip, please discuss
with your GLCL representative.
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 GLCL Code of Conduct during the
race. Link ---> GLCL Code of Conduct - Google Docs
RISK
ASSESSMENT: (see full risk assessment document attached)
Risk
assessment bullet points :
· Other users on the
bridge including walkers, runners, cyclists and motorbikes : take appropriate
caution. Keep right
· Weather conditions may
affect bridge, e.g. strong winds
. Deteriorating
light conditions, consider headtorch for slower runners
· Route directions :
observe run route and marshal instructions
