Fittleworth Flyers

INFORMATION AND ADVICE FOR RUNNERS /SUPPORTERS

Fittleworth Flyers welcomes you to our rescheduled inaugural running of the Flyers5@Thakeham WSFRL trail event. We know our old Flyers 5 route was popular amongst many of you. We hope you find our new home route both challenging and enjoyable as before. You will be running through the countryside in and around the historic village of Thakeham. The route will involve stiles, gates, varied terrain and of course a few hills. We want you to be safe and enjoy your run, so please follow the instructions of the event officials and marshals.

ABOUT THE COURSE

Access to the Start line will be sign posted. It is approximately 400 metres from the main village hall car park across the road and on to a gravelled Bridleway. After following the figure of 8 loop you will finish on the football fields behind the main hall. A map of the course will be available to be viewed in the main hall along with the Race Permit and Risk Assessment. Please take the opportunity to make yourself familiar with them. There will be route markers along the way with marshals at key points. Please follow their instructions.

The course is about 5.3m with mile markers along the way (approx distances only). It comprises of a varied mix of concrete roads, lanes, quiet country roads, along the B2133 we have closed off a lane to allow runners safe access on to Peacocks lane, along with public footpaths and bridleways. The concrete roads are patchy, very uneven, in places roads are potholed and likely to have areas of debris on them. The footpaths and bridleways will take you through farm fields and woodland trails.

Some paths and bridleways may be deeply rutted by farm tractors, horses and livestock, often containing mud and may contain water. Areas through woodland sections will have the usual variety of hazards, holes, branches and fallen trees. We will endeavour to clear obstacles along the route prior to the event but changes could occur. Being a rural area you will encounter gates, stiles and kissing gates. Please be aware as you enter from the field into Thakeham itself you come on to the road to the farm, immediately on the left is a Cattle Grid. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RUN OVER IT. Follow the marshals instructions and use the gate. Please take extra caution on some fields there could be livestock present, many have barbed wire running along the top of fence lines and may also be hidden within the hedgerows. Where possible we will open gates.

REMEMBER we will be running on public routes so may encounter people and animals along the way. The safety of all using the public rights of way is everyone's responsibility. Runners must comply with the highway and countryside codes as well as following the instructions of officials and marshals. To minimise any risk, runners must behave in a manner that is safe for themselves and all others, they participate at their own risk. Runners must rely on their own ability to adapt their running when dealing with all hazards considering the terrain and situation at all times.

2. FIRST AID

First aid staff will be on site. If you feel unwell during the race (or even before) please report to one of the marshals or first aid staff.

The reverse of your number has space for your medical information and emergency contact details, you are advised to complete them. Failure to do so at your own risk. If you carry any form of medication with you whilst running for a condition please ensure you note this on the form and where it can be found. If you have please put a RED Cross on the front of your Race number. This alerts marshals and first responders. Red markers will be available at Race HQ.

3. RESTRICTIONS

The wearing of headphones (including bone conductors) is forbidden. Any runners found wearing them will be asked for their number and disqualified. Due to the nature of the route it would not be suitable for less abled runners or under 16’s. No Dogs or buggies.

4. ENTRY FEES

Entry this year will be £5.00. Entry numbers are capped at 350. Due to this limitation we will be accepting advance entries from WSFRL clubs only. To help us manage the event please can you enter runners as and when known, rather than bulk entries. All entries must be on SmartR's no later than midnight, 20th August 2024.

5. LOCATION

Thakeham Village Hall. 1 Abingworth Crescent, Thakeham, Pulborough, West Sussex. RH20 3GW, ///aviators.elbow.perplexed . Race HQ and number collection can be found in the village hall. It is the first room on the left as you enter the main front door.

6. DIRECTIONS/PARKING

Like many clubs parking has become an increasing problem and limited. Please car share where possible, it would be a great help. There are some areas where parking is available in and around our venue. Coming from the north down the B2139 along the Coolham Road towards Storrington as you go through the cutting you will continue past a road on the left sign posted to Thakeham and sign for the White Lion. Look out for the Event Parking signage just after the derelict industrial buildings on the right and follow the instructions of the marshals.

When approaching form the South along the B2139 towards Coolham along Storrington Road you will pass the Thakeham Village sign on your left. Continue up the hill and drive through the cutting you will see a traffic calming restriction ahead, just after the bus shelter turn right into Abingworth Crescent. Look out for the Event Parking signs. Please follow the instructions of the marshals.PLEASE DO NOT park on any pavements or verges. There will be some designated on road parking if needed, only where directed to by the marshal.

7. FACILITIES

Within the village hall No Muddy /Dirty shoes, please leave outside. Runners will use the entrance at the rear of the hall through the Bi Fold doors facing the field. There is a small event in the adjoining Chesswood Room, at the same time as ourselves, with another event in the main hall shortly after our own on the day. On entering the main front door you will find our Race HQ. Club race numbers can be collected from there. We have taken the decision not to have a 'Pre Run Briefing' at the start line. We have found many people cannot hear what is being said or busy talking to colleagues. Within the number packs will be an upto date runner briefing notes. Please ensure you make your runners aware of the contents.

In the main hall you will find the First Aid area and refreshments where hot drinks, homemade cakes and savouries are available to purchase. Please be aware as our food is home made it may contain or come into contact with common allergens, such as dairy, eggs, wheat, soybeans, tree nuts, peanuts. This list is not exhaustive.

Behind the hall on the grass next to the football area you will find the Club flags and reps. Further down towards the parking area behind the children’s play area near the finish area you will find the changing facilities comprising of 4 changing rooms, each with communal showers and toilets along with a disabled facility. Additional facilities are available in the main hall. Although people will be around in the main hall during the race, if you choose to leave personal possessions in the hall or the changing rooms during the run, they are left at your own risk, we take no responsibility.

8. FINAL NOTE

It has been over 3 years since we held the ‘Flyers5’. Here we are with a new venue and organising team. We would be grateful to receive any feedback from your runners about any aspects of our event, good or bad. We can then bear these in mind when we start planning for 2025.

Due to the weather we had in March we felt it was not safe enough to proceed. Rather than cancel we wanted to reschedule to later in the year. Having to basically start again we managed to get everything aligned for the 25th August. Not a date we would have chosen, but it was this or nothing. Due to the timing we find ourselves shorter on volunteers than we would have liked. If any of your runners are injured and unable to participate but willing to help out on the day we would be very grateful. Please contact me directly at racedirector@fittleworthflyers.org.uk. I understand helping out another club event counts towards the WSFRL Finisher T Shirt.

9. WSFRL CLUB ENTRIES

Please enter your entries via SmartRs by midnight the 20th August 2024. If you have any last minutes name changes please print off the WSFRL Changes to pre entered runners and complete. Pass the sheet to the members at Race HQ when collecting your numbers

Number collection from Race HQ on the day, just inside the Main Village hall.

PAYMENT DETAILS: NOTE OUR BANK DETAILS HAVE CHANGED

Payment to: Account name: FITTLEWORTH FLYERS

Sort Code: 23-05-80

Account Number: 47624479

In the reference field please enter ‘F5 and your Club Name’. Payments no later than 22nd August 2024.

POST RACE CHANGES AND QUERIES

If you need to amend entries after the cut off. Please Download a copy of 'Changes to pre entered runners' found in the Smarts R's Useful information Tab. Complete the form and give to Race HQ when collecting your numbers on the day.