White Horse Relay

Charity No: 1061840

Duties of Marshals, Starters and Recorders

The Start.

Before the start of each stage, the Starter shall be required to check that the nominated runner for each team is present. Any missing runner shall be noted and the team will be awarded maximum points for that stage, as a penalty.

Before each stage the Starter must warn runners of the potential danger points of their stage as mentioned below. They must also be warned to take care when running along tarmac roads as no roads have been closed for this event.

The runners must all assemble at the start line and the starter must commence the race at the allotted time.

It should be possible to manage with just 3 starters, each jumping 2 stages, e.g. 1 - 4 - 7 - 10 - 13

The Finish.

At the end of each stage, the Recorder must note the number of each runner in the order of finishing. It would be helpful if the time of arrival of the first and last runners be also noted so that this may be used for future events.

Anticipated times of arrival have been calculated based on the first runner running 10 miles in 1 hour and the last runner taking twice as long.

No cut-off time has been proposed.

During each stage.

Although runners have been told that it is their own responsibilty to know the route, it is intended to have Marshals at intersections.

Marshals - Location and Reason or Hazard

It is the duty of Marshals to ensure the safety of runners, however any runner crosses a road at his own risk.

Stage 1 - 6.8 miles

Runners must also be warned to take care when running along any roads particularly between Broad Hinton and Broad Town.

1. Road crossing between Winterbourne Bassett and Cliffe Pypard, as shown on Google map - Traffic - 2 marshals
2. Two marshals required along the road between Broad Hinton and Broad Town - Traffic and to enable runners to cross from the left hand side of the road to the right hand side

Water point at the first marshalling point, on the roadside.

Runners must keep the water bottles with them to the end of their stage. They must not throw them on the ground.

Stage 2 - 2.7 miles

1. Top of Yew Tree Lane - Traffic
2. It would be useful but not necessary to have a marshal in the lane as the runners leave the fields and enter Broad Hinton village - To indicate the route.
3. End of Yew Tree Lane near A4361 - Traffic
   Will the marshal at this point please clear the nettles from the stile.
4. In the middle between the two fields - To indicate the route.
5. Top of Post Office Lane - Traffic

Stage 3 - 1.9 miles

1. Warn runners that there is a small horse jump across the footpath (to stop traffic using the track)
2. Where the track joins the Ridgeway - To indicate the route

Stage 4 - 5.4 miles

1. Where the White Horse Trail leaves the Ridgeway. OS:SU 125 729 - to show route
2. Where track zig zags. OS:SU 143 714 - To show way (Clatford Down)
3. On road at junction to Manton Hollow - Traffic and to show way

Stage 5 - 6.5 miles

1. At the first gate. 250 metres from the start of the leg - To show the way
2. On Manton Drove (road) - Traffic
3. On the road (near Clatford) just before West Woods - Traffic - 2 marshals
4. 50 yards into West Woods - To show the way - not necessary, but useful.
   Could this marshal act as sweeper to the end of the leg - To ensure that no water bottles are left in the woods
5. At the start of the Ridgeway, just after Gopher Wood. OS:SU 138 641 - To show the way

Water point at the entrance to West Woods

Runners must keep the water bottles with them to the end of their stage. They must not throw them on the ground.

Stage 6 - 3.6 miles

1. No marshals required on this leg, although it would be nice to have a sweeper - To ensure that gates are closed
2. Car parking at the far end is very limited (about 6 cars max.)
3. After runners have finished this stage, be very careful crossing the A345 which is a fast busy road with a blind hill summit obscuring the view.

Stage 7 - 5.6 miles

1. After turning left from the initial inclined track the pathway is very uneven, narrow and muddy. - Trip hazard - no marshal
2. On Sunnyhill Lane at Bethnal Green, the road to West Wick - Traffic
3. On Hollybush Lane, at the junction with Astley Close - possible traffic
4. At the roundabout, junction of Milton Road and High Street - Traffic and to show the way - 2 marshals
   Here (High Street) you cross a significant, though not heavily trafficked road. The crossing point offers good views of the road both towards the left and right. However, it is at a point where concentration is needed to find the way ahead.
   1. Positioning of the marshals to caution care and direct runners accordingly. This would add to overall safety as well as the opportunity to summon emergency services in the event of an incident.
   2. Place Caution Runners signage on the road where the crossing is approached.
5. Warn runners that there will be large tractors for haymaking at the end of this stage. - Haymaking traffic - no marshal
6. The path immediately before the finish is particularly rutted by farm vehicles / cattle. - Trip hazard - no marshal
7. The finish is planned to be at the foot of the hill up to the White Horse.

Stage 8 - 2.5 miles

1. Two marshals required at the foot of the hill where the runners have to cross the road. OS:SU 165 580 - Traffic - This stage is under discussion with the local police
2. Sweeper would be useful - To ensure that gates are closed

Stage 9 - 3 miles

1. 200 metres from the start - to indicate the gate through which the runners must pass
2. The second of the three gates early in the leg needs to be lifted in order to open and close it. It would be helpful if the starter for the leg or a marshal opened this before the leg starts, then closes it after all the runners have passed through.
3. At the road just before Manningford Church - Traffic - 1 marshal
4. At Broad Street, North Newnton - Traffic - 2 marshals

Stage 10 - 9 miles

1. This stage presents no problems - No hazards

Water point at the top of Redhorn Hill in the picnic area. OS:SU 059 553

Runners must keep the water bottles with them to the end of their stage. They must not throw them on the ground.

Stage 11 - 8.6 miles

1. This route follows the edge of the military zone so it seems unlikely that there will be any areas of risk for runners - No hazards
2. Consider putting some "Runners on Road" signs, but there was very little traffic when we pioneered this stage

Water point near Erlstoke just after the Coulston Hollow Road junction where the road turns left. OS:ST 949 529 - Water point and indication of route

Runners must keep the water bottles with them to the end of their stage. They must not throw them on the ground.

Stage 12 - 10 miles

1. At the start of Trowbridge Road as the runners leave Lower Westbury Road - Traffic
2. At the turning off Capps Lane into the field - Indicate route
3. Where the runners join Bratton Road at Dunge - Traffic - 2 marshals
4. There may be cattle in the Manor Farm fields in Steeple Ashton - don't try to frighten them.
5. Where the runners enter High Street, Steeple Ashton - Traffic
6. Where the runners enter Main Street, Keevil - Traffic
7. Where the runners enter the main road in Bulkington - Traffic

Water point at Steeple Ashton

Runners must keep the water bottles with them to the end of their stage. They must not throw them on the ground.

Stage 13 - 4.7 miles

1. Leaving the canal (New Park Road) - Indicate route
2. Crossing the road at Roundway Park - Indicate route (straight across)
3. Joining the road at Folly Road, Roundway - Traffic

Stage 14 - 4.7 miles

Runners must be warned that the first half a mile is on a very rocky track with numerous raised rocks which are not easy to see - Beware of tripping

1. To indicate first right turn along Wessex Ridgeway - To stop runners going to Golf Course
2. Road crossing between Bishops Canning and the North Wilts Golf Club, as shown on Google map - Traffic - 2 marshals
   Will the marshals set up Beware Runners signs about 50 metres at either side of the crossing on the public highway.