Race day information for competitors
Saturday 11th September 2010
- 08.30 Registration at St Margaretsbury Sports Ground
- 09.45 Registration closes and runners line up for start
- 10.00 Trail marathon starts
- 16.00 Marathon cut off time
Pre-race registration
All marathon runners must attend pre-race registration between 8.30am and 9.45am on Saturday 11th September in St Margarets. Here you will be given your race number, chip and baggage label.
*Please note there are absolutely no race day entries for the marathon, and strictly no transfers between races or transfer of places to another runner. We do not operate a deferment system.
At the Start, personal kit should be put in a small sports bag/day rucksack or similar. Attach the baggage label (provided at registration) to your bag. Hand bag into nominated baggage marshals
*Please ensure that your bag is no larger than a small sports bag/day rucksack or similar and that it can close securely – the bags will be carried in a secure vehicle to the finish where you can collect it at the end of the race.
Race timing
The race will be chip timed. This is a small plastic device which you will strap around your left ankle using the comfortable velcro strap provided. On crossing the finish line mat you will hear it beep and your chip will be read by the timing equipment allowing us to immediately publish your race results on screen in the timing tent.
At pre-race registration you will be given your timing chip and velcro strap. Please attach this straight away so that it is not forgotten. NO CHIP = NO TIME.
Before leaving the finish enclosure please detach and return your chip where directed. If you need assistance please ask. If your chip is not returned, you will be charged £10.
Getting to the start
St Margaretsbury Sports Ground
Stanstead Abbotts
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 8EH
By bus transfer
We will be operating a bus transfer system between Stratford/Hackney Marsh and the start at St Margarets as follows:
7.30am Pick-up from Stratford Railway station
7.45am Pick-up from Hackney Marsh car park off Homerton Road
8.30/9.00am Arrive at St Margaretsbury Sports Ground
IMPORTANT: Places on the transfer bus are strictly limited and you must pre-book your place by ticking this option on the online entry form and pay £5 on the day for the bus transfer.
*It will not be possible for spectators to be transported to the start.
By rail
You can get a direct train from London Liverpool Street to St Margarets.
By road
Amwell Roundabout – (exit A10/A414/A1170) take exit for Stanstead Abbotts (B181).
Please note that there is strictly NO car parking at the start at St Margaretsbury Sports Ground. Car parking facilities at the start are limited to:
- Pay and Display Car Park at St Margarets Train Station
- The Railway Station car park is subject to a daily charge.
- The nearest free car park is located off Stanstead Abbotts High Street, the car park entrance is almost opposite the Co-op supermarket in the High Street.
Facilities at the start
Toilets, changing facilities and drinks will be available at the St Margarets pavilion from 08.30am.
Finish
Hackney Marsh
Homerton Road
Hackney
E9 5PF
Facilities at the finish
Toilets, showers, drinks and various food outlets - Please have a small amount of cash available in your kit bag to purchase food at the finish from the outlets.
Getting home
Stratford (central or jubilee line) or Leyton (central) are the nearest underground stations.
Drinks stations
Water will be available at:
- Dobbs Weir (~6km)
- Holyfield - Fisher Green Lane (~13km)
- Holyfield - Cadmore Lane (~20km)
- Enfield Lock (~25km)
- Pickett's Lock (~30km)
- Springfield Marina (~36km)
- Hackney Marsh
Energy drinks will be available at:
- Holyfield - Fisher Green Lane (~13km)
- Holyfield - Cadmore Lane (~20km)
- Pickett's Lock (~30km)
*Water will be provided in bottles and energy drinks in cups
First aid and medical care
Official first-aid points will be provided at various locations down the marathon route and we will have a number of paramedics on bikes. Additional first-aid will be available at Hackney Marsh.
There will be other first-aiders on the route and all the marshals will have mobile phones. We ask however that all runners carry their mobiles if possible – it is a trail marathon down the tow-path – and we do all need to be as risk aware as possible. Runners will also be given details of key phone numbers on a card at registration.