SURREY LADIES LEAGUE CROSS COUNTRY MATCH 4 RICHMOND PARK,

SATURDAY 8 TH FEBRUARY HOSTED BY RANELAGH HARRIERS

LOCATION The race will be held in Richmond Park. The start/finish area will be near Sheen Cross roundabout, close to Sheen Gate and Roehampton Gate. This is the same location as used for the first time two years ago. 

More information about the Park, including a detailed map, can be found on the Richmond Park website.

TIMETABLE There will be separate Senior Women’s races for Divisions 1 and 2, which will be in reverse order to that at the previous fixture ie Division 2 first and Division 1 last.

11.00 am Senior Women Division 2 two long laps approx. 8.3 km

12.00 pm Under 15 Girls / Under 17 Women one long lap approx. 4.7 km

12.30 pm Under 13 Girls one short lap approx. 3.2 km

1.00 pm Senior Women Division 1 two long laps approx. 8.3 km

NB: Distances were measured on a GPS watch and should be taken as a guide

COURSE Winter rain has made the ground soft and the surface slippy. Spikes are recommended, though trail shoes may be worn. From a wide and bumpy start, the course makes its way to the Jubilee Pond before following a grass path beside a brook to the foot of Queen’s Ride and the start of the lap. Turn right and ascend Queen’s Ride, all the way up until the road is reached. Follow the road to a dip, where there is a narrow path on the left. After a short while, cross the horse ride where there is a large clump of reeds and immediately bear left, to join the main path around Sidmouth Wood. Follow this path all the way down the hill to the Pen Ponds. Turn left before the ponds onto the grass then bear right to run beside the lower Pen Pond. Continue up towards the Ballet School before two left turns lead to a descent to the bottom of Queen’s Ride and the end of the lap. Senior Women will run two laps. At the bottom of Queen’s Ride turn right to follow another grass path beside the brook to the finish. In the Under 13 race, the course turns around at the top of Queen’s Ride, missing the open section along the road and by Sidmouth Wood. Later, it misses out the section up to the Ballet School, cutting left towards the bottom of Queen’s Ride, immediately after passing the lower Pen Pond.

BANNERS, TENTS, BELLS AND HORNS The Royal Parks Agency has agreed to the erection of banners and flags, in a marked area alongside the start. However, tents are not permitted. Neither is the use of cow bells, horns or similar instruments. Please abide by these instructions and do not jeopardise the future use of the park for races.

TRANSPORT Richmond Park covers a large area and is bounded to north by the A305 and A205 (South Circular Road) between Richmond and Barnes, to the west by the A307 between Richmond and Kingston, to the south by the A308 and A3 between Kingston and Roehampton and to the east by the A306 through Roehampton. There are five vehicle entrances to Richmond Park: Roehampton Gate (north east), Sheen Gate (north), Richmond Gate (north west), Ham Gate (west) and Kingston Gate (south west). For travel by public transport, please consult the National Rail, South Western Railway and Transport for London websites. Please be aware that engineering works are taking place which means there are no South Western Railway trains running through Richmond and Twickenham. The closest railway stations are at Richmond (London Underground District Line), and at Barnes, Norbiton and Kingston (South Western Railway). From Richmond, Norbiton or Kingston stations, take the 371 bus to the American University bus stop. Richmond Gate is around the corner and from there it is approximately 1¼ miles to Sheen Cross roundabout. From Barnes Station, Sheen Cross roundabout is approximately 1¾ miles via Priory Lane and Roehampton Gate

PARKING The nearest car parks are at Sheen Gate and Roehampton Gate. Both are within ½ mile of the start. Additionally, there is a car park at Robin Hood Gate, about 1½ miles from the start. Another running event is taking place in the Park from 10 am, starting and finishing by the Sheen Gate car park. This is expected to be very busy so it is advisable to use Roehampton Gate or Robin Hood Gate car parks, particularly if arriving for the earlier races. Please be aware there is no vehicle access at Robin Hood Gate and that gates allowing vehicle access to Richmond Park will be closed at 4:45 pm.

FACILITIES There are no changing facilities. Please come ready changed. Toilets are available at Sheen Gate, Roehampton Gate and Robin Hood Gate car parks. Some of the toilets in the park may incur a 20p charge for use. There is a café at Roehampton Gate car park

NUMBERS All declarations are to be made online at https://surreyleague.org/. Numbers were issued at Match 1 and athletes are to wear the same number for each of the four Surrey league matches. Please ensure that club pages on the Surrey League website are maintained and show the correct number for each athlete.

RESULTS Provisional results will be compiled following the race and will be posted on the Surrey League website. These will be provisional and subject to change. Please contact ranelagh.women@gmail.com with any queries. Final results will be updated accordingly on the website.

HOSPITAL The nearest hospital is Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston KT2 7QB. Tel: 020 8546 7711. (exit the park via Kingston Gate). A defibrillator is available in Pembroke Lodge

HELP Surrey League races take place thanks to the volunteers who marshal the course and record athletes’ times and places at the finish. It is a significant undertaking for host clubs and any offers of assistance from clubmates, friends or family, out on the course or at the finish, will be greatly appreciated, even for only one race. Please contact ranelagh.women@gmail.com if you are able to help.

RICHMOND PARK Richmond Park has protected status as an important habitat for wildlife and is a National Nature Reserve, London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Area of Conservation. Please follow Sir David Attenborough’s request to Tread Lightly in Richmond Park. Please be aware that the deer in Richmond Park are wild animals, roam freely and can be unpredictable. Also be aware of the presence of ticks and oak processionary moth. Please also respect the other visitors to park, who have as much right to be there as we do.

QUERIES Please email ranelagh.women@gmail.com with any questions.