4 Sep 2023

Ouse Valley Way Marathon 2023 – Final Race Instructions & Route Guidance

by | posted in: Races | 0

Ouse Valley Way Marathon – Race Instructions

Sunday 10 September 2023

 

Introduction

 

  1. General. This document contains important information for successfully running the Ouse Valley Way Marathon (OVWM), which is due to take place on Sunday 10 September 2023.  The OVWM is a trail race where the paths are a mixture of grass, gravel, and tarmac. If the weather has been dry in the lead up to the Race, then road shoes will be fine.  The paths are uneven, may have trip hazards and low branches.  Competitors shall be responsible for their own safety.

 

  1. Route. The route is from Earith to Eynesbury via St Ives and Godmanchester, predominantly along the Ouse Valley Way. The route Gmap link is below:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7396610

 

  1. Navigation. Part of the route runs directly beside the river and competitors must take extra care along these stretches.  There are no road closures along the route; however, marshals shall be present at all road crossings to assist.  Please follow their instructions to ensure these roads are crossed safely.  Competitors shall be expected to self-navigate; however, the route is marked as follows:

 

Figure 1.  Ouse Valley Way signs (not normally this pristine!)

 

Figure 2.  BRJ Ouse Valley Way Marathon signs

 

Figure 3.  White or Yellow spray paint arrows on the ground.

 

There shall also be yellow raffia tied to branches, which is mainly used on riverside sections. There will also be maps at each water point outlining the next stage, and route guidance notes, with photos, are detailed below. These photos are not intended to navigate the whole route but shall highlight the key areas competitors shall run through.

 

Raceday Information

  1. Registration. Competitors taking the coach from the Finish at Eynesbury can collect their bibs from the Registration Desk next to the Snug at One Leisure. The registration desk will be opened from 0730. Competitors not taking the coach from the Finish can collect their bibs from Race HQ at Earith Primary School, School Road, EARITH, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3QB, from 0800.

Eynesbury (Finish) registration is at ///what3words reference ///obligated.downfield.host

Earith (Start) registration is at ///what3words reference ///outbound.moods.quicksand

 

  1. Parking. Parking in Earith is limited.  Earith Primary School has kindly agreed that its car park can be used to drop off runners and watch the start, but competitors and their families/supporters are not permitted to park at the school all day.  There is also a free car park behind the Village Hall in Earith High Street, the ///what3words reference is ///villa.cackling.probable.  Parking at the One Leisure, Barford Road, Eynesbury, St Neots, PE19 2SA is more abundant but still finite, so please try to car share if possible.  There will be signage at the entrance of One Leisure to guide you.  You can also check ///what3word reference of ///skewing.chucks.rentals.

 

  1. Race Briefing. Competitors travelling in the Coach from St Neots to the Start at Earith shall be briefed on the Race during the journey. The formal Race Briefing will be at Earith at 0900.

 

  1. Relay Runners. The Relay has two stages with the changeover in Godmanchester, which is not quite the halfway point. Relay runners must register and collect their race numbers from Race HQ at Earith. Relay teams (of two) have numbers in consecutive order, there is no relay baton to be carried.  Relays runners shall be requested to inform the Race Director of the order in which they intend to run. This shall enable the correct race number and timing chip to be allocated.  The time of the handover will be noted automatically, which will enable the first and second stage times to be calculated.  There is limited parking at Mill Yard Car Park (PE29 2BA) and at Queen Elizabeth School where public toilets are located.  Second stage runners should ensure that they are in the hand over area in plenty of time before their running partner arrives. There is no transport to or from the Godmanchester relay handover; competitors must make their own arrangements.

 

  1. Transport. The OVWM is a point-to-point race. There will be a Coach from the FINISH at Eynesbury to the start at Earith. The Coach shall leave promptly at 0830 – Late arrivals will miss the race.  Competitors must pre-book the Coach at a cost of £8 to be able to use this service.

 

  1. The Start. The start is just along the road from Earith Village Hall, and the Race Director shall move competitors there at 0915 ready for the start at 9.30.

Owing to the constrictions along the High Street the Race Director shall start the race in waves at 3-minute intervals. All competitors should have started within 15 minutes.  Waves shall be based on competitors’ estimated finishing time, with the fastest going first, and competitors shall be grouped in waves at the start according to race numbers.  Competitors must make sure they are prompt when their wave is called.

 

  1. Water Station. There shall be water stations at approximately 4, 6, 9, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 23 and at the finish.

 

Miscellaneous Information

 

12. Getting to Race HQ. There is car parking at the St Neots One Leisure Centre; however, competitors are requested to car share if possible and to follow marshal’s instructions to ensure that cars are parked safely and considerately.

 a) By Road. St Neots One Leisure is easily reached from the A1 and A428. From the A1 take the A428 signed for Eynesbury and Cambridge. At the second             roundabout turn left, cross three roundabouts and the leisure centre is on the left.

b) By Rail: St Neots train station is approximately one mile from One Leisure.

 

13. Getting to the Start. To get to Earith Primary School, School Road, EARITH, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3QB.

14. From the A1. Exit at A14 Huntingdon and Cambridge and take A14 east. At the next roundabout turn right. Follow the A14 towards Cambridge and exit at St Ives. Follow the A1096, at fourth roundabout turn right for Needingworth, Ely. Follow road through Bluntisham until you arrive in Earith. Take the second road on the left-hand side, Bridge End, which is just beyond the Crown Public House, and follow the road round to the left, take the second right into School Lane and the school is on the left.

 

From the M11 or A14 westbound. Merge from the A14/M11 on to the A14 westbound. Exit at Bar Hill and follow directions for Willingham. Go through Willingham, and at mini roundabout turn left over river. Take the first right into Bridge End and follow the road round to the left, take the second right into School Lane and the school is on the left.

 

14. Marshals. The Race Director is grateful to all the volunteers that marshal the OVWM, organise the registration and manage the car park. Marshals shall wear high-vis vests and are there to help you. Please follow marshals’ instructions and take the opportunity to thank them.

 

15. Facilities. Toilets and changing rooms are available in the St Neots One Leisure and at Earith Primary School.

16. Baggage. There are no facilities for storing baggage at Earith or for returning baggage to the finish at St Neots. Baggage can be left at the FINISH in the Snug at St Neots One Leisure; however, the storage point might not be manned throughout the event so please do not leave valuables. The car park is on the same site, and competitors may want to leave baggage in their car. If competitors want to wear something to the start, please make sure it is something old that can be donated to charity.

17. Refreshments. The One Leisure centre at St Neots has a café, which the Race Director has requested to be opened.  There shall be no refreshments at Earith.

18. First Aid Facilities. UKA trained first aiders shall be present at the finish in St Neots and positioned throughout the course.  There shall be first aid kits at each of the water stations.  Competitors’ bibs include the Race Director’s contact number on the front should they run into difficulties on the course or find another runner in difficulty.  In the event of a medical emergency phone 999.

19. Results. The results shall be on the Total Race Timing website soon after the race and via competitors’ contact details conferred at the on-line registration. You will also be able to check your result on a screen at the finish.

20. Questions. Please forward any questions relating to OVWM 2023 to the Race Director.

 

NB: Be very careful to transcribe ///what3words references exactly, a single letter error can induce a huge location error. 

 

Route Guidance

  1. Route Guidance Earith to St Ives

  2. Route Guidance St Ives to Godmanchester

  3. Route Guidance Godmanchester to Paxton

  4. Route Guidance Paxton to St Neots

G A PYE

OVWM 2023 Race Director

Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required or email hidden; JavaScript is required