5K SERIES RACE-DAY INSTRUCTIONS

It’s nearly our first race day of the Couriers 5k series, here is a reminder of the race day instructions so have a read of the below guidance the club has put in place to keep all runners, volunteers and the general public safe. You will see a very different set up to any races you may have attended previously. 

The Club have worked tirelessly to host this series so we need your support by playing your part by reading and keeping to the guidance below failure to adhere to these rules could result in disqualification with no refunds. 

** If you have any symptoms of Covid-19 do not attend! **

We are asking that masks are worn at all times whilst you are in and around the venue and especially in the segregated pens for starting, once you are called forward to start you can remove your mask to race popping these in a pocket or the bins we will provide, we will have masks available for participants but please bring your own if you can.  

On the night we will have 2 start times as this will help us with social distancing, the first wave will be for any runners who will finish in sub 20 minutes and will start at 18:45, once this race has been completed, we will then start the 2nd wave which will be for all the remaining competitors which will start at 19:15, please see the arrival, warm up, start and departure times for these 2 waves below.

The race is chip timed so the results will be created for both waves combined. 

Please only take part in the first wave if you are going to complete the course in sub 20 minutes as this will delay the start of the 2nd wave. 

Race numbers: Race bibs have been sent out in the post and you should have received these now, please keep these for the whole race series! 

On the day set up: Please see the diagram below of the one-way system, please adhere to these at all times, this has been put in place to keep everyone safe, be mindful of members of the public at all times as this area is used regularly for dog walking. 

Venue: The venue for the race is Hereford Racecourse, Roman Road, Hereford. HR4 9QU

Facilities: Due to Covid-19 no facilities for changing are available, Toilets are supplied by the Racecourse & will have a social distancing queuing system in place using cones, once the cone in front of you becomes available move forward.

Parking: Parking will be available at the racecourse, we have created car parking area for races 1 & 2, Parking will be tight due to the race being at capacity so if you can please use B & Q or Halo (HR4 9SH) on Holmer Road or The Co-op at Bobblestock (HR4 9LT) as alternative parking and jog to the racecourse as a bit of a warm up. 

Hand Sanitisers: These will be available for everyone taking part please make use of these. 

Face Masks: We are asking that masks at all times whilst you are at the venue and especially in the segregated pens for starting, once you are called forward to start you can remove your mask to race popping these in a pocket of the bins we will provide. 

Team/ Group Photos: No group/team photos are allowed to be taken, social distancing must be maintained at all times, we do have a race photographer who will be out on the course for those race photos

Bag Drop: There will not be a bag drop at this event.so please arrive race ready 

Marshalls & First Aid: The race will have plenty of Marshalls out on the course along with yellow directional arrows. Please listen to Marshall’s instructions they are out on the course for your safety, Due to Covid-19 all Marshalls have been briefed to not to shout so please do not be offended you can’t hear them (we are usually a friendly bunch) We have professional first-aiders who be at the start/ finish area along with a rapid response car out on the course. 

Start Time: Wave 1: 18:45pm (Sub 20 runners), Wave 2: 19:15pm (20mins +)

Course: The route is a 2-loop course on open roads around a housing estate, please be mindful of other participants and members of the public, please keep to your left at all times, if you need to overtake, please give space and do so on the right. We will hold the traffic for the start of the race but on the 2nd loop please be careful when you go onto the main road as the turn is tight, we will cone this area but please stick to the left. 

Warm Up Area: We have created a warm up area, we are advising that runners wear a mask & maintain social distancing all times.

Pre-Race Briefing: We will be doing the race briefing online on our Facebook page on Sunday, please listen to these instructions.

Race start: Due to the high volumes of entries and adhering to social distance rules there will be set starting pens for all runners based on your PB/ estimated finishing times, please remain socially distanced in these pens wearing a mask until you are invited to the start line by the Marshalls. Please see the diagram below:

Race Finish: The race finishes in the same area as the start. Key Point! Once you have finished, participants will enter a one-way system taking runners to the toilets and car park, all runners will be made to keep on moving and no mingling. We are encouraging all runners to depart the racecourse as soon as you’ve finished your race. 

Warm Down: We are encouraging runners not to use the racecourse for this due to social Distancing. 

Water Station: We will have one water station at the finish, this will just be a bottle collection table, to keep participants moving. Please discard all empty bottles in the bins provided. 

Medals: Each runner will receive a finishers medal; these medals can be picked up on race 3 in June. 

Spectators: We are advising that spectators do not attend the event unless absolutely necessary, 

Results: Results will be available to view post-race, they will also be displayed on the club website http://www.herefordcouriers.com

Extra information & updates: for any last-minute updates please check out Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/HerefordCouriersRaces

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Please make yourself with the following guidelines from England Athletics/ UK Athletics:

If you have any questions about the above, please do not hesitate to drop us an email at

herefordcouriersrunningclub@hotmail.com

See you Wednesday.