TRACKSMITH SURREY LEAGUE CROSS COUNTRY MATCH 1

 RICHMOND PARK, SATURDAY OCTOBER 14^TH 2023

 HOSTED BY RANELAGH HARRIERS

 ENGLAND ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY LICENCE: CC2023/0918

LOCATION

The race will be held in Richmond Park, and we thank the Royal Parks Agency for allowing us to race in this magnificent setting. The start/finish area will be near Sheen Cross roundabout, close to Sheen Gate and Roehampton Gate. The locations of the start and finish, the course and car parks are shown below.

 

 

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

TIMETABLE

11.00 am        Senior Women Division 1                    two medium laps      approx. 6.6 km

12.00 pm        Under 15 Girls / Under 17 Women      one large lap            approx. 4.8 km

12.30 pm        Under 13 Girls                                      one small lap            approx. 2.8 km

  1.00 pm        Under 13 Boys                                     one small lap            approx. 2.8 km

  1.30 pm        Under 15 Boys / Under 17 Men           one large lap            approx. 4.8 km

  2.00 pm        Senior Men Division 1                          two large laps           approx. 8.5 km

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

COURSE

Senior Women and Senior Men will run two laps, Under 13s, 15s and 17s will run one.

Course maps for each race can be viewed by clicking on Map (in mapometer), below location to the left. They may also be viewed in Garmin Connect, showing profile and km markers, by clicking on the links in the timetable above.

Please be aware that modifications have been made to the course since the last Surrey League race in October 2021, in consultation with the Royal Parks Agency. These modifications avoid the hard, stony surfaces beside Sidmouth Wood and the Lower Pen Pond and the newly constructed main track down to the Pen Ponds and reduce interaction with other park users.

The modifications can be summarised as follows:

Senior Men, Under 15/17 Girls, Under 15/17 Boys

At the turnaround point at the top of the course, turn left onto the horse ride where there is a large clump of reeds, then follow a well-defined path back to the top of Queen’s Ride. The descent down to the Pen Ponds is along a path to the right of, and next to, the trees. At the bottom, cut across diagonally to the bottom of Queen’s Ride. Two quick right turns take the course through the trees to re-join the previous course and the climb up to the Royal Ballet School.

Senior Women

At the top of Queen’s Ride, where the trees end, turn left and immediately left again onto the descent as described above. Follow this course to the end of the lap.

Under 13 Girls and Under 13 Boys

At the top of Queen’s Ride, where the trees end, turn left and immediately left again onto the descent as described above. Follow this course to the bottom of Queen’s Ride and then continue straight on to the finish.

Please note that Senior Men and Senior Women will run two laps.

Despite recent rain, the ground is dry and firm. Trail and road shoes may be worn.

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.

NUMBERS

All declarations are to be made online at https://www.surreyleague.org. Race numbers will be available to collect prior to the start 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 Men’s and Women’s race pages on the Surrey League website. These will be subject to change. Please contact ranelaghslresults@gmail.com with any queries. Final results will be updated accordingly on the website.

RUNNER ELIGIBILITY

Please be aware Second Claim members must be declared before the first fixture.

Runners must run in their correct age group.

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.

For travel by car, weekend traffic restrictions mean car parks are accessible from specific entrances to the Park (see below).

Please also be aware that Richmond Park falls within the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone. Please see the Transport for London website for details.

For travel by public transport, please consult the National Rail, South Western Railwayand

Transport for London websites.

The closest railway stations are at Richmond, Mortlake, Barnes and Kingston and are part of the South Western Railway network. Richmond is additionally served by London Underground District Line and London Overground.

From Richmond 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 Mortlake Station, Sheen Cross roundabout is approximately 1¼ miles via Sheen Lane and Sheen Gate and from Barnes Station approximately 1¾ miles via Priory Lane and Roehampton Gate.

PARKING

Please use the car parks listed below and do not park on the roads, on grassland or at Pembroke Lodge.

The nearest car parks are at Sheen Gate and Roehampton Gate. Both are within ½ mile of the start. Additionally, there are car parks at Pen Ponds, about 1 mile from the start, Robin Hood Gate, about 1½ miles from the start and Broomfield Hill, about 1½ miles from the start.

Sheen Gate car park is accessible via Sheen Gate only.

Roehampton Gate, Robin Hood Gate and Pen Ponds car parks are accessible via Roehampton Gate only.

Broomfield Hill car park is accessible via Kingston Gate, Ham Gate or Richmond Gate.

Please be aware there is no vehicle access at Robin Hood Gate, traffic restrictions apply to through traffic and the gates allowing vehicle access to Richmond Park will be closed at 6 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 charge for use. All chargeable toilets now work on a contactless system.

There is a café at Roehampton Gate car park and refreshment kiosks at Pen Ponds car park and Broomfield Hill car park.

FIRST AID / 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. A first aider will be in attendance.

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 complete this formif you are able to help. Please contact ranelaghfixtures@gmail.com if you have any questions about helping.

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 ranelaghfixtures@gmail.com with any questions.