2023 Race Day Briefing
Race Day Information:
Thank you for signing up to race the Gransden Muddy Fun Run 2023. We are very grateful for the support you are giving to our school, and for the financial contribution to our PTA funds. We hope you enjoy our challenging courses and beautiful countryside. We hope our event inspires you to enter more events in future, and enjoy regular exercise!
At the moment the weather looks like it will be chilly, but hopefully not freezing, and dry. However, please remember that the event takes place in January. In the UK. Please be prepared for all eventualities, especially colder weather – wearing an extra layer that you can carry is better than being too cold – also gloves and hats are always a good idea! Maybe also bring some warm clothing for before and afterwards, an unmanned bag drop area will be available.
It also looks like the course will be suitably muddy!
General Rules:
- Please look out for and encourage your fellow runners
- Please don’t forget to thank your marshals
- Please be considerate to local residents
- Please do not drop any litter
- Use of headphones is not recommended
- No dogs please – the run crosses farmland, including a local chicken farm
- Please bring a sense of humour!
Location:
Little Lane,
Great Gransden, SG19 3AE.
We will use the school hall as our race HQ – please enter from the gate on the playing field.
There is access to toilets in the registration area but no showers.
There will be additional toilets in the start / finish area.
Race Number Collection:
Advance race number pick-up will be available in the week prior to the event. On the day race number collection will be from the race registration desk in the school hall.
Timing:
Mystery Marathon registration opens: 6.30 am (or earlier by prior arrangement)
Mystery Marathon start from: 7:00 am
Main registration opens: 9:00 am
Half Marathon warm up: 9.50 am
Half Marathon start: 10.00 am
10km and 3km warm up: 10.20 am
10km start: 10.30 am
3km start: 10.35 am
Awards ceremony: ASAP for the 3km, approx Midday onwards for the longer races
PLEASE ARRIVE IN PLENTY OF TIME, NO-ONE LIKES RUSHING
Covid Precautions:
Our event will be held largely outdoors, except for number collection & post-race refreshments (which will be in the school hall), nonetheless we request that all participants take the following precautions:
- Please do not attend if you feel unwell, or feel you may pose any risk to others
- Please follow instructions to collect your number and then move onto the school playground or field
- Please bring your own mug for a post race drink
Other Conditions of Participation:
- Please remember that children (under 13 for 10k, under 8 for 3k) must be accompanied by at least one designated adult – we can’t let unsupervised children run on their own – we know you will understand, thanks!
- By registering and entering this event you confirm that you understand that the run you are participating in on Sunday 29th January 2023 is done at your own risk and you accept all responsibility
- You acknowledge that the event takes place in part on public highways and you will look after your own safety and that of any children you enter into the event. You agree not to bring any claim against the organisers of this event or other people involved in this event. You have read and accepted the terms of this liability disclaimer agreement and you will also make anyone else you have entered aware of it
If you do not accept these terms, please let us know and we will refund any entry fees paid (minus any handling fees)
Post Race:
Please stay to celebrate your race day achievements with us. Mementos will be given to children, other runners can collect a medal if they want one. On-the-day entrants should be aware that they may not get a medal. Everyone will be rewarded with plenty of cake, and hot drinks. Small prizes will be given to overall and various age group winners, as well as the fastest school family in the fun run.
We are aiming not to use disposable cups, please bring your own mug (or buy one of our branded event coffee mugs)!
Parking:
Parking for the event is limited, and not really possible around the school. If you can, please walk, cycle, or share rides to the event. If you are driving please park in one of the carparks identified on the map below, these are just a few minutes’ walk to the race HQ (parking at the Kingspan site is entirely at your risk). Please park sensibly and respect our local residents by not blocking their driveways (or making too much noise).
NB: The Half Marathon route is slightly different this year to avoid crossing the airfield – if you have run this race before, please be sure to familiarise yourself with the change.
NB: The 10k and Half Marathon routes both pass through a local chicken farm, which is currently subject to bird-flu restrictions. Please make sure you run across the disinfectant mats provided.
Please also note that our routes use sections of private land, with kind permission from the land owner. Such permission is granted only for the duration of the event, and this in no-way implies permission to cross this land at any other time. Furthermore you agree that the land owner will accept no liability for any loss or injury as a result of crossing this land.
Marshalls, Water, Maps and Arrows:
All routes (except obviously the Mystery Marathon) will be clearly marked and there will be marshals out on the course to direct you, however, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with your race route beforehand.
Maps will be available to view at HQ, but is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the route beforehand. Perhaps take a photo of the map if you plan to run with your phone.
Typically the off-road sections of our route are very, very muddy. Certainly for the 10k and half marathon routes it is recommended that you wear appropriate off-road running shoes and expect to get very dirty!
The fun run has its fair share of muddy sections too, so perhaps don’t wear your best trainers or clothes 🙂
There is a water stop in Waresley (just after the 4mile point in the half and 5k point in the 10), plus another stop at 6/10miles in the half. If you need gels / other food to race, please carry it with you.
TAKE YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU!
Roads & Traffic:
All of our routes feature mixed terrain. We have some sections on quiet roads in and around the village, some road crossings, but also plenty of open (and hopefully very muddy) countryside. Road warning signs will be placed at critical crossings and we will have marshals where possible, but please note – NO ROADS WILL BE CLOSED, nor can the marshals stop the traffic. All runners are responsible for their own safety out on the course. Please stay on the pavement wherever possible; where this is not possible runners should keep to the side of the road facing the oncoming traffic. Please ensure you supervise any children you have entered.
Our routes have previously used sections of private land, with kind permission from the land owner. Such permission is granted only for the duration of the event, and this in no-way implies permission to cross this land at any other time. Furthermore you agree that the land owner will accept no liability for any loss or injury as a result of crossing this land.
Location Map:
The map below shows the run start and finish points, together with some Parking locations.
Awards:
Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd (male & female) in Mystery Marathon / Half Marathon / 10k
Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd (male & female), for KS1 / KS2 / KS3, in 3k Fun Run
Age-group champions (male & female) in Half Marathon / 10k
U20, 20-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
(NB: Chip time will be used for AG awards. Overall winners will not be eligible for AG awards, age is considered as age on race day.)
Fastest local family – combined time of 3 finishers (your team must include at least one current pupil of Barnabas Oley school).
Muddiest runner (male & female) in 3k Fun Run.
Sustainability:
This year to reduce our environmental footprint, we are awarding sustainable wooden medals.
If you have no use for a medal / lanyard, or any award that you win, please return it to us and we can re-use next year. There will be a collection point in the hall.
For sustainability reasons we will not be using disposable cups for refreshments – (subject to availability) you can buy one of our event branded, sustainable, coffee cups, or bring your own cup.
We are again using water bottles at our most distant water stop – we’ve tried to use cups, but these blow away. At least our bottles and their caps are recycle-able. If anyone has any better ideas please let us know!
We re-use all of our route signs every year and try to put as many out as possible by foot or bike.
Event Sponsors:
Thank you to our event sponsors:
To continue celebrating your achievements, or to re-live your muddy day out, please pay a visit to:
The Duncombe Arms in Waresley have kindly provided our water stop on the Half Marathon / 10K route, please pay them a visit!
Final Disclaimer:
This event is organised and run by volunteers to raise money for our local school. We hope and expect for things to run smoothly, but please remember that unexpected issues may arise – if they do, please bear with us and try to remain cheerful 🙂
Thanks, and enjoy your race!
Clare Thurgood & Nic Pillinger
Race Directors
Gransden Muddy Fun Run 2023
Gransden Muddy Fun Run 