INSTRUCTIONS TO RUNNERS
In addition to RACE DETAILS, please read the following:
THIS IS A TOUGH, MULTI-TERRAIN MARATHON COURSE.
Respect the distance, the terrain, the countryside and your fellow trail-users at all times. We cross and run on roads for short sections of the race from Southease onwards.
BE AWARE OF TRAFFIC AND OBEY MARSHALS AT ALL TIMES
If you need specific nutrition, supplements or medical supplies, carry them with you. If you need to access specific supplies along the route, please arrange for a friend or relative to meet you on the course. Many points on the route are accessible by road.
MARSHALS
Please observe our gorgeous, Purple-clad marshals at all times. The course will be sign-posted using our Purple Arrow Logo.
IF YOU NEED TO STOP/ DROP OUT please report to a marshal. Some sections after halfway have access to roads.
We have first aid responders (SMS) on the course.
BIKES
We have four bikes on the course. An advanced bike will go ahead to check the route. Two lead bikes will set off with the runners. These will dovetail to stay with/ close to the lead runners. A tail-gunner will follow back-markers, looking out for injured runners and collecting course markers. Be nice to our bikers.
WATER STATIONS
There will be water stations as detailed in RACE DETAILS
Water will be served in open plastic cups. Bin bags will be placed at/ just after water stations – please use them if you can. Our marshals will pick up any strays once you’ve passed through.
CARRY WATER/ DRINKS/ ENERGY GELS/ SWEETS with you. There are long sections between water stations. You can top up water bottles at water stations and at South Downs YHA.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. Much of the course is through a National Park. Please respect the country code. Leave only footprints (and the occasional wee), take only memories, photos and your empty packets/ bottles.
REGISTRATION: Wallands School, Lewes
Registration opens at 09:00
Registration closes at 09:45
Race starts at 10:00 sharp (FULL Marathon) 10:15 (RELAY/ Dogs)
ALL NUMBERS WILL BE ISSUED AT REGISTRATION
There will be safety pins available
Car parking spaces are strictly limited – there are plenty of free spaces at County Hall, 5 minutes down the road (access via Western Road, opposite the Pelham Arms).
COURSE MAP: Here is a link to our interactive Google Ma
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zWEwq76aObLU.kwiiXp_1CQ50&usp=sharing
We will have a large O/S map, course marked, on display at registration.
REFRESHMENTS: Our local charity Lewes Patina’s cafe will be open, selling coffee, croissants and other sweet snacks at the registration hall. Please bring funds for this! Beer and Food tokens will be handed out at the finish. We have ale from Harveys and food from Circa Events and massage beds at the finish.
BAG DROP: There will be two bag drop areas at the start.
All bags are dropped/ transported at owner’s risk.
PLEASE MARK YOUR OWN BAG so you can identify it on collection. We accept no responsibility for valuables of any description.
One: van will go to the finish at Harveys Yard
Two: car will go to South Downs YHA. This is for Relay Part One runners who will stop at this point (see RELAY RUNNERS below)
BRIEFING: a short runners briefing will be delivered at the start line, unless it’s tipping it down, in which case we’ll do this in the hall at 09:50 so that our Race Director doesn’t mess his hair up too much.
RELAY RUNNERS:
BOTH runners check in at registration to get your number.
After the race briefing, runner two should proceed to the halfway point at South Downs YHA (address below). Trains to SOUTHEASE leave Lewes station at 11:03 and 12:03.
Lewes station is a 20 minute downhill stroll from the start. The train journey takes 6 minutes. YHA is a 1 minute walk from the station.
Part One runners finished at YHA, trains leave Southease station to Lewes at 9 minutes past the hour. The finish is a seven minute hobble from Lewes station. NB: There is a café, warm shelter and WC at South Downs YHA
TIMING: we will have a dedicated timing team on the course, checking race numbers and recording individual times. We are using stop-watches – no chip timing
SPECTATORS: There are some great spots where friends and family can watch the runners. Here are a few, accessible by road or public transport:
– South Downs YHA – half way (café, parking, train station, WC)
– Firle Car Park (on top of Firle just before the Beacon) – around 16 miles
– The Trevor Arms, Glynde Village (pub, train station, WC) – around 23 miles
– Cliffe High Street, Lewes (near the finish)
FINISH LINE. The finish line is at the entrance to Harveys Yard (back entrance via North Court/ Harveys Way)
This will be clearly marked.
Repatriate with friends and family, receive your commemorative finisher’s gift and beer/ food tokens, grab your gear bag from the bag-drop van, get a relaxing massage or just wrap yourself in a foil blanket and sob.
There is a big car park next to Harveys Yard.
This is a tough, hilly race across a variety of surfaces.
We know you know, we just wanted to say it one more time, just in case.
Plan well and enjoy the day.
Ash
Ashley Head
Race Director, Moyleman: The Lewes Marathon