1 - Is there a Limit on Numbers and when should I enter?   2 - Can I have more information on Chips and Race Numbers?
3 - Can I check that my Entry has been received and when will I receive my Race Number, Chip and Runners Information?   4 - Must I be a member of a running club to enter?
5 - What are the Car Parking arrangements and availability of public transport?   6 - Where can I obtain information on accommodation? 
7 - What is the Marquee used for?   8 - Can I enter and be sponsored for a charity or worthy cause of my choice?
9 - How do I find the Results?   10 - What are the Changing Facilities?
11 - Is there any information on the Course and Drinks Stations?   12 - Is the course hilly?
13 - What is the surface like on the Greenway?   14 - What about the Medical support?
15 - How should I go about Training?   16 - Are there official event photographs?
17 - Can I make a comment?   18 - Can we enter as a Team?
     


1 - Is there a Limit on Numbers and when should I enter?

For logistical reasons there will be an entry limit of 3,300. There are NO entries on the day. The limit takes into account an assumed number of cancellations and no shows on the day. You are advised to send in your Entry Forms or Enter Online as soon as possible. However, you should also note that we do not give refunds under any circumstances. We also regret that we are unable to transfer your entry to another year or another person.


Online entry is available through Runner's World.
 


2 - Can I have more information on Chips and Race Numbers?
Our results service is provided by JAND Results and they will use Champion Chip timing.  This means that we can provide fast and accurate results and the ChampionChip can register every individual start time, even when participants are at the back of the pack.  The cost of the Chip is included in the entry fee but you are required to return the Chip to us. We will provide helpers and bins to place your chip in immediately after the finish. Instructions on the use of your chip will be sent to you with your Race Number and Runners Information and more information can be found on www.jandresults.co.uk

It is essential that you keep your race number and Chip in a safe place. If you loose or forget your chip it will not be replaced. Unless you wear your chip as instructed you will not get a time or position in the Results list.  

Race numbers must not be given or sold to anyone else and anyone found to have done this will be banned from our event for life. If you wish to change from the Full to the Half, or vice versa you must let us know ASAP.

If you wish to change after the Race Number etc has been sent out then still notify us so that we can update your record but you will have to run with the Race Number and chip that has been sent as they are matched. This means that if you have changed from the Full to the Half then you will run with your Red (full marathon) number and if you have changed from the Half to the Full with your White (half marathon) number. At the cut off at Greenway North, 11.84 miles, you should shout to the marshals what you are doing so that they direct you to the correct course as the marshals tend to be guided by the colour of the race number. You should also let the marshals at the bottom of Rumer Hill (just over 8 miles on the first lap and just under 19 miles on the second lap) know what you are doing. Please make it clear what you have done at the Finish.


3 - Can I check that my Entry has been received and when will I receive my Race Number, Chip and Runners Information?
If you enter online you will receive immediate confirmation of acceptance and entry into the event from Runners World. If you enter by post you must send us a SAE if you want confirmation that you have been accepted or wait about 12 days and check that your entry has been received and accepted by going to our website and following the link to JAND Results. If you have entered online your entry will also be shown on JAND Results after about 12 days.

You will be sent all your details around early April. Please keep your chip safe as it cannot be replaced and you may not get a time or position in the Results list if it is lost or forgotten. If you have not heard from us by early April please send an email to the Race Director using the Contact Us on our website.

For Overseas Entrants we recommend that you enter online. We could post your details but you may prefer to collect them on the day from our Information Tent, if so please email the Race Director using the Contact Us on our website and he will give you further details. Collecting them is more reliable than posting them to you.



4 - Must I be a member of a running club to enter?
No. If you are not a member of a UK Athletics Affiliated Club the cost will be slightly higher than if you are a member.


5 - What are the Car Parking arrangements and availability of public transport?

Parking will be available in any of the towns car parks which are well signposted but you must adhere to the pay and display notices.  Failure to adhere to the parking regulations may result in you incurring a penalty charge notice. This includes not parking within a marked bay. The car parks are clearly shown on signs as you approach the town. You MUST leave yourselves ample time to find an available parking space and arrive at the start by 9.15 am.

There is a Park and Ride scheme located off Bishopton Lane near the A46/A3400 Birmingham Road roundabout. Please see www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordparkandride for more details. Officially however the first bus does not depart until 10.00am on a Sunday but it may open early especially for our event. Please see under News on our website nearer the date.


If you propose to use public transport to get to the event we strongly advise that you check on the availability to see if it will get you into the town in good time for the start. We regret that we do not have information on bus or train times.



6 - Where can I obtain information on accommodation?
Contact the Stratford Tourist Information Centre 0870 1607930 or visit www.shakespeare-country.co.uk.  We would recommend that you book early if you do need accommodation.


7 - What is the Marquee used for?
The Marquee incorporates the Information Centre, this is the organisational hub of the event and is used for any queries and results. A supply of pins, labels and plastic bags for clothing, will be available.

Refreshments are also available which are sold by the Rotary Club Inner Wheel for charity, including Hot and Cold drinks, sandwiches and muffins.


8 - Can I enter and be sponsored for a charity or worthy cause of my choice?
Yes. Many runners are sponsored to run for a charity or cause that they wish to support and the Rotary Club are very happy for you to do this.


9 - How do I find the Results?
Should you require a results sheet, postal results may be obtained for a payment of £1.00 on the day. Envelopes for this purpose will be in the Marquee, should be self-addressed and placed in the box provided. Provisional results will be displayed at the Marquee periodically during the afternoon. Results will be available 'on-line' as soon as possible after the event.


10 - What are the Changing Facilities?
Changing facilities will be available at the Recreation Ground - men at the District Council Changing Rooms, ladies at the Boat Club (please refer to the Recreation Ground map sent out with the runners pack). Storage of clothing bags (male and female) will be available at the Cadet Hut. The Organisers will not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to the contents of bags whilst in the storage area.  


11 - Is there any information on the Course and Drinks Stations?
The start of both Full and Half Marathons will be in Waterside, adjacent to the Theatre car park. It will finish on the Recreation Ground at the far side of the Bowling Club and opposite the Ferry point. All runners who finish will receive a medal and T-shirts will be available to purchase. Please allow yourself sufficient time to cross the river via the Tramway Bridge. The start will be traffic free but soon after runners will be using roads open to public transport. Marshals will be stationed at all junctions and will indicate crossing points etc. and you must obey their instructions. The course is multi terrain but with good, firm surfaces, undulating in places, although in the main, flat. In the interest of safety we ask runners not to wear earphones whilst running. Toilets will be provided at frequent intervals around the course. They will be shown, along with Drink Stations, on the Course Map we will send to you with your race number and chip.

Note: At the insistence of the police, due to traffic problems, Marathon Runners failing to reach the Greenway North (11.84 miles) in 2 hours 25 minutes will be diverted to the Half Marathon Finish.

All runners must complete the Course within 6.00 hours and anyone remaining on the course after this time will be withdrawn from the event. The organisers will not accept responsibility for anyone on the course after 3.30pm.

Drinks Stations are at approximately 2 mile intervals with most of them having sponge stations. Water, in 330 ml bottles, will be available at these points and at the finish. Bottles will be handed to runners. At certain Drinks Stations cups of water may be handed out to supplement the bottled water.
Isotonic drinks will also be available as follows: Drink Station 3 Welford on Avon, for both Half and Full Marathon runners approx 7 miles from start on first lap only. Drink Station 1 Racecourse, Full Marathon only at approx 13 miles. Drink Station 7 at Long Marston, Full Marathon only at approx 19.5 miles. Runners must accept that taking these drinks is entirely at their own discretion and as organisers we strongly advise that runners take medical advice before the event regarding the use of Isotonic drinks. 

Mile markers for the Half Marathon and for the Full Marathon will be displayed throughout the course. The Full Marathon course is a double lap, both races finishing on the Recreation Ground.

Important: The course has proven unsuitable for wheelchair entrants. Athletes must not be accompanied by dogs or followed by supporters on cycles.

Athletes must also discourage friends and relatives from joining them on any part of the course and in particular along Seven Meadows Road and in the run up to the Finish.

There will be a communications system around the course. There are also courtesy cars continually covering the course to help any runner unable to complete the race and take them back to the Recreation Ground. These cars have phone links with the race HQ.

Refreshments are also available which are sold by the Rotary Club Inner Wheel for charity, including Hot and Cold drinks, sandwiches and muffins.


12 - Is the course hilly?
It is a predominately flat course. There is an incline as you leave Welford towards Long Marston. There is an incline as you leave Luddington and one on the same road immediately prior to joining the Evesham Road. Many enter who are first time runners.


13 - What is the surface like on the Greenway?
The track is fine bound grit – not loose.  It is a level surface.


14 - What about the Medical support?
A medical back-up will be available throughout the course. Doctors will be in attendance at the Recreation Ground, as will first aid teams provided by St John’s Ambulance. You must ensure that you are medically fit to undertake this event and that you are adequately covered by your own insurance. Do not expect to achieve what you have not trained for. If you have not trained or have a heavy cold, do not run in the event. The fitness, training and medical condition of each entrant are matters for his or her own personal concern and anyone in doubt about their ability should not start. The Course Doctor will have the final say and anyone instructed to leave the course must do so.

There is also a website www.runnersmedicalresource.com that is a good resource for runners who may want some guidance in preparation for - and on the day of - a big race.

We expect to have the services of a sports injuries specialist at the finish, to help those who have sustained injuries during the race or are suffering from dehydration.

Note: It is essential for runners with any relevant medical conditions to write details on the back of their race number along with a note of who to contact in case of an emergency. It is advisable to give a telephone number.  ALL runners should write their name and address on the back of their race number.  Please use waterproof ink.



15 - How should I go about Training?
There is a Training guide that has been prepared with medical advice to help you prepare for the event, you can find it here. It contains important information on fluid intake and is recommended reading for all runners.


16 - Are there official event photographs? Where can I get them?
The officially appointed photographers for the event are Marathon-Photos.com, see their web site for more information www.marathon-photos.com


17 - Can I make a comment?
If you have any comment you would like to make about the organisation or other aspects of the event, please use the Contact Us section on the web site.  We have tried to make this a well-organised and enjoyable day and we are always open to listen to the views of the participants.

If you send an e-mail direct to our address using your own e-mail system such as Hotmail or Outlook, please DO NOT include attachments. We do not accept e-mails with attachments and they will be filtered out and deleted.


18 - Can we enter as a Team?
Yes. Please see the Entry Form under TEAM ENTRIES for details. Team Entries cannot be made using the online booking service. Each individual member of the team must complete an Entry Form which should be affixed together and sent to the PO Box number shown on the Entry Form.


PLEASE NOTE
IT MUST BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAT ALL RUNNERS PARTICIPATE ENTIRELY AT THEIR OWN RISK.

YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY.






© Rotary Club of Stratford-upon-Avon