Friday, 20 December 2024

2024/25 GLCL XC Series: Fixture 3 of 5 Monmouth

 



RACE

GLCL XC  24/25

Race 3 Spirit of Monmouth  

HOST

Spirit of Monmouth RC

VENUE

Oldfield Farm, Garway Hill, Herefordshire HR2 8HA (adjacent to “Oldfield Forge”)

WHAT-THREE-WORDS w3w.co/jaws.clincher.rare



DATE

5th January 2025

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.

Several of the fields are planted with crops. The owners have given us permission to run around the perimeters, some of which are planted. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL AND AVOID UNNECESSARY WIDENING OF THE TRODDEN PATH IN THESE AREAS.

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 very 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 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, and po does make it tough  – 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 – especialy 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

 

 

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