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| Date | Event | Parking | Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 2nd January 17:00-17:30, allocated start times See note below Finish by 18:30 |
WNL Blakeney Hill |
GL15 4AW-use with care w3w: blurs.flops.snuggled SO651086 |
Andy Creber |
Our next WNL event is scheduled for Saturday 2nd January 2021, on Blakeney Hill. We are expecting to be in tier 2 or lower by then as far as COVID restrictions are concerned. That means that we are allowed to stage the event, must maintain the usual rule of 6 gathering, and the local hostelries may only offer table service, so no pub of the night organised by us. Our understanding of the post 2 December rules is that for all tiers travel is not banned, but ‘should’ be reasonable in tier 1, necessary in tier 2, avoided if possible in tier 3, and you should not go into a tier 3 area. Please check that if you are coming, you conform to the rules for your locality. Our interpretation of those is that most, if not all, of you are allowed to come and run.
Please note that refunds may be claimed up the 28th December, and you will receive a full refund less the Fabian entry transaction fee. We will not accept refund claims after that point. You need to be reasonably sure that you can come before entering. Please note also that as this event takes place in the Forest of Dean, we are limited to 30 entries, and you will be added to a waiting list if entering once this limit has been reached, until such time as the waiting list has 15 entries in it, whereupon entries will close.
Needless to say event logistics are a little different from how they were in pre-COVID days:
The event will be pre-registration only, with allocated start times, between 17:00 and 17:45. Fabian requires waiting list runners to select a time slot, so the start window allows for this.
Entries will open on Friday 18th December, and close at midnight on Friday 1st January 2021. Use the link below to enter.
Travel and Parking
Use the links in the table above for parking details and a link to directions.
Parking is in Wenchford Picnic area. We hope to be in the main part of the picnic area, entering via the main entrance at the South East end closest to Blakeney, but we may end up in the North Western end, with entry next to Blackpool Bridge. This will depend on whether the Forestry Commission give us access through the gate into the main part of the picnic area.
Important: the road from the A48 in Blakeney to Wenchford is closed, and will almost certainly still be closed at the beginning of January. The only access to the picnic site is from the North, via Parkend or Soudley. Read the details below carefully!
There will be road signs at Blackpool bridge showing which entrance to use. A further complication is that a postcode is no use in getting to Blackpool bridge. Three post codes meet there, and satnavs for all of these will take you somewhere other than where you want to be. You should either use the grid reference given above, or What 3 Words.
In summary, if travelling up the A48 from Chepstow, go into Lydney, rather than taking the bypass, in the middle of town take the turning towards Parkend, go straight through Parkend, and then turn right towards Blakeney. Keep on that road past Mallards Pike, through at least two sets of road closed signs, and you’ll get to Blackpool Bridge. Coming from the West, aim for Speech House hotel, turn South by the hotel, and then left at the next T junction, towards Blakeney and Mallards Pike. From the North/Gloucester area, turn at Elton corner on the A48 towards Cinderford. The Elton corner turning is signed A4151 and Cinderford, and is about half a mile after you pass through Westbury. Approaching Cinderford, follow Speech House signs. Then at Speech House Hotel turn left and left again at the next T junction towards Mallards Pike.
The Start and Finish are adjacent to the parking area.
The Area
Mainly open deciduous forest, with good going underfoot, but with spasmodic brashings left behind from recent thinning operations.
The Map
The map is A4, 1:10,00 scale, with 5m contours
Event Details
A standard 60 minute score for this race, using SI timing, in normal punching mode, ie NOT SIAC enabled, so you must punch all controls, including Start and Finish.
Times and Costs
Starts: 17:00 – 17:30. Regulars will be aware that start times are very flexible for these events, and as long as appropriate social distancing is maintained, we generally allow people to start when they are ready, while giving priority to those wanting to start on their specified start times. Courses close: 18:45
Entry: £6 Seniors (£7 for non-BOF members)
SI timing chip hire: £2 seniors.
FACILITIES
None!
Because of the pandemic, sadly there is NO official Pub of the Night. However, people can of course make their own individual arrangements.
EVENT PROCEDURE
Start
When you register on Fabian4 you can select a start time. To avoid congregation at the start, we’d ask you to follow the following start procedure:
Wait in your car (or warm up away from the start) until a short time before your designated start time.
When your start time arrives: sanitise your hands, take a control description sheet, dib Clear and Start, and pick up a map from the table. Note that maps will have been printed several days before the event, and not handled since, so should be safe to handle.
Finish
The Finish is by the Start. Once you’ve finished, be aware of the social distancing guidelines and don’t congregate in large groups to compare results. You can always compare afterwards online. Results will be posted on the WNL and NGOC websites afterwards.
Bad Weather Plan
In the event of bad weather preventing access to the event, we will issue a notice on this website no later than midday on the day of the event. You should check here before travelling for any updates on the event.
SAFETY
A risk assessment has been completed, and a copy will be held at the Start/Download in case competitors wish to consult it before their run.
WHISTLES & BACK-UP LIGHTING ARE COMPULSORY AT WNL EVENTS. It is recommended that you also carry a mobile phone. Organiser’s number is 07530 442066 and is printed on the loose control descriptions and on the map. You MUST report to download even if you retire. All Competitors compete at their own risk. However, don’t let all this put you off… take care and have fun!
A first aid kit will be available at Registration.