SURREY LEAGUE CROSS COUNTRY MATCH 1 - WOMEN

RICHMOND PARK, SATURDAY OCTOBER 16^TH 2021

HOSTED BY RANELAGH HARRIERS

 ASSISTED BY BELGRAVE HARRIERS

ENGLAND ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY LICENCE: CC2021/0052

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. 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. 6.5 km

12.00 pm     Under 15 Girls / Under 17 Women

one large lap     approx. 4.7 km

12.30 pm     Under 13 Girls

one short lap     approx. 3.2 km

1.00 pm     Senior Women Division 2

two medium laps     approx. 6.5 km

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

COURSE

Course maps for each race are attached.

The ground is dry and firm. Trail and road 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.

Senior Women will run two medium laps Turn right and ascend Queen’s Ride, At the top, where the trees end, turn left. Take another left turn and follow the path 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. At the end of the second lap, turn right to follow another grass path beside the brook to the finish.

Under 15s and Under 17s will run one large lap. Instead of turning left at the top of Queen’s Ride, continue straight on 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 and rejoin the Senior Women’s course. At the end of the lap, turn right to the finish.

Under 13s will run one short lap. The course turns around at the top of Queen’s Ride, as for Senior Women. 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, then crossing Queen’s Ride to the finish.

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 are to be collected 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 Surrey League website. These will be subject to change. Please contact ranelaghsurreyleagueresults@gmail.com with any queries. Final results will be updated accordingly on the website.

RUNNER ELIGIBILITY

Please be aware of some rule changes concerning eligibility which come into effect this season.

Under 17s are no longer permitted to run in the Senior Women’s races.

Second Claim members must be declared before the first fixture.

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 two vehicle entrances only: Roehampton Gate (to the north east) and Sheen Gate (to the north).

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 and do not park on the roads or grassland.

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, and Robin Hood Gate, 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.

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 a refreshment kiosk at Pen Ponds car park.

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 ranelaghsurreyleaguehelp@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 ranelaghsurreyleagueinfo@gmail.com with any questions.