Event Information

Extreme Circumstances
In case of extreme weather or other circumstances that could threaten the event, information will be posted on the website and updates will be sent by email. Unfortunately as a charity fundraiser we are not in a position to refund entry fees if weather conditions lead to cancellation.

Arrival
Please arrive well in advance of the start time as the driveway to the car park is also used for the race start. The Race Headquarters will have baggage drop and hot drinks on sale. The baggage drop will be under cover but not continuously supervised, you are therefore advised not to leave valuables in your baggage.

Directions
The location and route map can be viewed here: https://oakhaventen.co.uk/the-course/. The course is a reduced length version of the previous half marathon route, with a new start and finish location without the previous long walk to the start.

Car Parking and Travel

There is ample car parking. The start is 3 miles from Brockenhurst train station. Unfortunately the start is not on a bus route.

Race Numbers

You must pre-book your entry so that we can prepare a chip timer and race number for you. We are not expecting to be able to offer entries on the day for this reason.

Make sure you fill in the information on the back of the number.  This could be vital in cases of emergencies.  Fix your number to the front of your shirt with 4 safety pins.  (available at the collection desk).

Do not race in another person’s number.  This is against UK Athletics rules and can present huge problems with results and age group prizes as well as issues with emergencies. You can officially transfer numbers up to a week before the race by contacting the Race Secretary. Anybody found to be racing in another person’s number will be disqualified and banned from future events.

Toilets and changing

There will be toilet facilities but no showers at the start/finish.

Baggage

There will be baggage storage at your own risk, so do not include valuables or clothes you want to see again.  Any clothing not reclaimed from the baggage area after 3.00 pm will be washed and donated to charity.

The Start

The race starts at 10.30 am.  If you miss the start by more than 5 minutes you start at your own risk and may find race support including marshals has been removed.

The Race

Personal music devices with headphones are allowed during the race.   Accompanying cyclists and dogs are not allowed in the race.

Follow the marshal instructions at all times and listen to any warnings of hazards ahead.  Recreational horse riders who have strayed on the course could be a significant hazard.  Please give them plenty of advance warning when approaching from behind and be prepared to stop if the horse becomes agitated.

The course will have mile markers and direction signs with marshals at all significant junctions unless the marshal has been called to an emergency.

There are 2 road crossings.  The marshals have no legal control over traffic and have no power to stop traffic.  The marshals are there to help you but ultimately you are responsible for your own safety.  Do not cross the road if a marshal stops you.  When you are allowed to cross the road, make your own final decision on how safe it is and when to do so.

Please do not go through the finish line twice as it plays havoc with the results and we will only record your slowest time!

Finish Cut Off time: the finish cut off time is 3 hours, to allow runners of all levels to compete.

Drinks

This will be a ‘cup less’ race, water will be provided on the course and collapsible cups will be available to purchase.  This is a more sustainable approach and ensures that our beautiful forest tracks remain free from debris.

Dropping out and medical cover

If you need to drop out for any reason, your nearest marshal will inform you of the nearest vehicle access point.  You may need to wait before being dropped back at Race Headquarters.  If you are unable to make it to the vehicle access point an emergency pickup will be arranged.

Any runner who appears during the race to be not maintaining sufficient pace to achieve a 3 hr finishing time may be asked to abandon the race.  If they chose to continue they do so at their own risk and accept that race support may have been removed.

In case of medical emergencies we have Race Doctors at Headquarters and out on the course.  If you find another runner in need of assistance inform your nearest marshal or recruit other runners to do so.  All marshals will know how to contact our medical team and other help.  Do not delay in getting help especially if you have no formal first aid qualifications.

After the race

When you finish you will be given a medal. Hot drinks will be available at the finish.

Prize giving

Prize winners will have their prizes sent to them by post in the week following the race. A full set of results will be emailed to all competitors when available after the race.

Race Photography
A professional photographer will be in attendance and photographs will be available for purchase after the event.

Notes for Spectators
Passing personal drinks to competitors is not allowed under UKA rules but will be allowed in our race.

See also:  Race Rules