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Coronavirus (COVID-19) updated statement

Notice of Postponement of Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon, Eastbourne Trackstar Half Marathon, Bates Green Gallop and Twilight Chase to 2021 due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In this unprecedented situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19), we feel the risk is too high to host Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon, Eastbourne Trackstar Half Marathon, Bates Green Gallop and Twilight Chase. It is with great sadness that we postpone these events until 2021.

While the national picture is certainly improving and we emerge from lockdown, as it stands all competition licensed by England Athletics, UKA and the Trail Running Association remains suspended until at least 31st July 2020.

There is no guarantee that this date will not be extended again.

We have received no guidance from England Athletics, UKA or the Trail Running Association on how we should operate post lockdown.

Our events are based around a lot of social interaction, we would rather put on a fun, safe event that we’ve been able to plan within some guidelines, rather than rush to return for the sake of it.

As events proved during the winter storms, we will do everything we possibly can to provide a safe race for our participants, volunteers, contractors, the public and ourselves. In this situation we cannot.

If you have entered any of the above races you will automatically be transferred to the 2021 event. We are unable to rearrange the events for later this year because a lot of mass participation events have already been moved into September and October. We wish to avoid double bookings. The events will now be held in May June and August of 2021. The exact dates are to be determined as we must work with our venues and suppliers who are also extremely busy right now. As soon as we can confirm the exact dates for 2021 we will.

There may be a possibility that we can transfer you into Winter Chase on 21 November 2020 – though we are unable to obtain a license for this event just yet so cannot take bookings.

We operate as a small business run by runners, for runners. This is absolutely heart-breaking for us to have to postpone events. We thank you for your understanding and are so sorry to disappoint.

FAQ

Please take a look at our frequently asked questions, we will not be responding to individual emails or social media regarding this matter at this time, as we are providing our latest information here. Further information will be communicated in the next formal statement.

How does the deferral work?

Your name will be automatically transferred to the 2021 event, you don’t need to do anything.

Are you issuing refunds?

No, we are deferring entries to the 2021 events. We cannot offer refunds due to the upfront costs of staging an event. As per our terms, in the event that a run is cancelled by us, we will look to re-arrange the event. We operate as a small business run by runners, for runners to provide unique, friendly events. To offer bulk refunds would likely mean that we would be unable to put on any events ever again.

What are the dates for 2021?

At this stage we cannot say. We have to work with a number of suppliers, who are all incredibly busy right now due to the current situation. We will issue a new statement once we know the exact dates.

Why 2021 and not later this year?

We’re runners. We understand you want to run every event you have entered. To move our events to a date later this year would almost certainly mean clashing with another re-arranged event as a lot of mass participation events have already been moved into September and October.

Can I transfer my 2021 place to another runner?

Yes, once the entry system re-opens, transfers to other runners will operate as normal through your Full On Sport account.

Can I enter/transfer to the Winter Runs?

The Trail Running Association is not currently issuing permits for any events at this time, so we are unable to open them. We will email cancelled participants if we are able to open Winter Chase.

Can I enter Trackstar or Bates Green Gallop for 2021?

Once we know the exact dates for 2021, we will re-open the entry system. We have to work with a number of suppliers, who are all incredibly busy right now due to the current situation. We will issue a new statement once we know the exact dates.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) updated statement

Notice of Postponement of Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon, Eastbourne Trackstar Half Marathon, and Bates Green Gallop to 2021 due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In this unprecedented situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19), we feel the risk is too high to host Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon, Eastbourne Trackstar Half Marathon and Bates Green Gallop. It is with great sadness that we postpone these events until 2021.

Advice from the Government, Public Health England, England Athletics and Run Britain is also quite clear that gatherings of people should be avoided, and that competition should be suspended.

As recent events proved during the winter storms, we will do everything we possibly can to provide a safe race for our participants, volunteers, contractors, the public and ourselves. In this situation we cannot.

If you have entered any of the above races you will automatically be transferred to the 2021 event. We are unable to rearrange the events for later this year because a lot of mass participation events have already been moved into September and October. We wish to avoid double bookings. The events will now be held in May and June of 2021. The exact dates are to be determined as we must work with our venues and suppliers who are also extremely busy right now. As soon as we can confirm the exact dates for 2021 we will.

We operate as a small business run by runners, for runners. This is absolutely heart-breaking for us to have to postpone events. We thank you for your understanding and are so sorry to disappoint.

FAQ

Please take a look at our frequently asked questions, we will not be responding to individual emails or social media regarding this matter at this time, as we are providing our latest information here. Further information will be communicated in the next formal statement.

How does the deferral work?

Your name will be automatically transferred to the 2021 event, you don’t need to do anything.

Are you issuing refunds?

No, we are deferring entries to the 2021 events. We cannot offer refunds due to the upfront costs of staging an event. As per our terms, in the event that a run is cancelled by us, we will look to re-arrange the event. We operate as a small business run by runners, for runners to provide unique, friendly events. To offer bulk refunds would likely mean that we would be unable to put on any events ever again.

What are the dates for 2021?

At this stage we cannot say. We have to work with a number of suppliers, who are all incredibly busy right now due to the current situation. We will issue a new statement once we know the exact dates.

Why 2021 and not later this year?

We’re runners. We understand you want to run every event you have entered. To move our events to a date later this year would almost certainly mean clashing with another re-arranged event as a lot of mass participation events have already been moved into September and October.

Can I transfer my 2021 place to another runner?

Yes, once the entry system re-opens, transfers to other runners will operate as normal through your Full On Sport account.

I’ve entered Twilight Chase – will this be postponed?

At this stage we cannot say. Being in August, we are hopeful that the situation will have improved, and advice from the Government and athletics bodies will have changed. However, please be aware that if the event does need to be postponed, it will also be postponed until 2021.

Can I enter the Winter Runs?

The Trail Running Association is not currently issuing permits for any events at this time, so we are unable to open them.

Can I enter Trackstar or Bates Green Gallop for 2021?

Once we know the exact dates for 2021, we will re-open the entry system. We have to work with a number of suppliers, who are all incredibly busy right now due to the current situation. We will issue a new statement once we know the exact dates.

Covid-19 Statement

At the moment we are monitoring the situation regarding the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

  • Our next event is May 9th.
  • Most of our participants are local so are not having to make significant travel arrangements in advance
  • We will make a decision two weeks before the event
  • Whether the event goes ahead depends on the situation of the outbreak two weeks in advance of the event, the willingness of volunteers, contractors and ourselves to proceed, and the advice of government, England Athletics and health organisations
  • If we cancel an event, you will automatically be transferred to the 2021 event. We will be unable to rearrange the events for later this year because a lot of mass participation events have already been moved into September and October. We wish to avoid double bookings

New Entry System

All of our events now use the Full On Sport entry system. You may notice the fees are lower than Active. This also means it’s easier than ever for you to manage your booking and it’s now free to transfer you place to another runner if required. Full On Sport allows us to operate waiting lists so it’s a lot less hassle trying to find someone to take your place.

They have produced a guide on how to do this. Please read: FOS-Waiting-List-transfer-process

All we ask is that any transfers are completed by the weekend before the event, as we will have started to produce our paperwork for the run by then.

A gentle reminder that unofficial number swapping is not allowed at our runs (or anyone’s actually). This is not just our rule, it is in accordance with UKA RULE 143 S 2.

Bates Green Gallop review

Thank you to all the vounteers and land owners that made Bates Green Gallop possible. It was a fantastic venue for us to hold our first trail run, and really hope we can make this a permanant fixture.
We had to take the decision to use a back up course, as one of the fields we had planned to use was unusable. As a result, the loop was 3.78 miles, opposed to the advertised 3.84 miles.

We really hope you enjoyed the occasion, and once again we’ve had some fantastic feedback and reviews, particularly about the home made cakes and aid station. All of this is being passed back to Judith who is our ever present catering expert! Zoe enjoyed being at race HQ lap counting and looking after runners welfare after each lap.

The route was varied and challenging, and really adds something new to the type of runs we offer, but with the same laid back style.

One of the more interesting points for us was the escaped cow! You couldn’t have made that up particularly after run director Debbie’s briefing!

cow

It was successfully herded back to safety by Richard, Russell and Robin after runners had passed on lap one!

Trackstar Review

Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon

Very well done to each and everyone of you who attempted or completed this crazy challenge. We never envisaged it would be so popular and sell out as quickly as it did!
Thank you to the marshals for their enthusiasm and to Nice Work! for providing the timing services. Judith did a fantastic job for us in the kitchen once again, providing spectators and runners with tea, coffee and home made cakes.

start

Thanks also goes to:

  • Kylie – Photography services
  • Core Running – Pop up shop and spot prize vouchers
  • Chris Field – Massage Therapy – Winners vouchers. (Don’t forget to book in with Chris: Chrisfieldmassage@yahoo.com)
  • Domino’s Pizza – Spot prize vouchers
  • Tribe Sports – Discount code for runners (below)
  • Yazoo – Milkshakes
  • Sport Eastbourne / Eastbourne Borough Council – Venue

Results

The results are available on the Nice Work! website.

Please email queries to info@nice-work.org.uk

How it went

Being runners ourselves, we pride ourselves on making our events as we would like to find them if we were going to run them. On that front, we worked hard to keep costs to runners as low as possible, made sure the venue was tidy the day before, provided free tea and coffee to runners; be as friendly, welcoming and as clear as possible in our instructions.

The weather was fairly warm for runners, I’m not sure that breeze helped. You’ll be pleased to know we got caught in a deluge when we arrived to set up at 6:30 am! We also managed to trigger the alarm system when we arrived, what a start! There was a nice buzz around the place as runners started to arrive, and a popular playlist to provide some entertainment during the repetitiveness.

We had a lot to get right for this run. In theory it’s simple, but this was our first run with a full UKA license, and an England Athletics official was in attendance. I’m pleased to say he was really happy with the set up, our signage and instructions. Most of all he had a great day watching you all!

Nice Work! did a sterling job for us on the timing. Without them, this event would not have been possible, and I doubt there are many timing companies that would take on this challenge. I witnessed the frustrations as at busy times, they could not always feed back lap times to runners who didn’t have a counting method. Their primary role was timing and looking out for the people on their 105th lap! We are really grateful to those who followed the pre-race advice we put together and brought their own counting method. Runners who used the clickers found them really helpful. We do understand though; dependant on cost, a lap counting display is something we are considering for the future (but that’s not a promise!)

We pro actively monitor social media for feedback and ideas (as runners – we’re members of lots of the same groups as you!), but please let us know if there’s anything we could do better.

IMG_2533
Next year

We are provisonally booked in at the venue and with Nice Work! for Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon II, on the same weekend next year Sunday 13th May 2018. We would love to make this an annual event as it’s a great spectacle for the town. Watch this space for an official announcement.

Upcoming Events

We have two 6 hour challenge events coming up soon:

An out and out trail run on a 3.8 mile loop in Sussex woodland

A simple, flat, 4.4 mile out and back tarmac course starting at 4pm from Winchelsea Beach

Both of these runs, you just have to complete one lap to finish – although it’s better value if you run more!

Etiquette – Trackstar

Etiquette

There are just 80 participants. This is due to the constraints of running on a track. This should allow the event to be a success without overcrowding. In an ideal world this allows for 5 metres of track each – but bear in mind you will be running at different speeds!

  • Run on the inside lanes as long as you are still running
  • If you need to pass somone, move to the outside
  • If you need to walk at any point, please move to the outer lanes

We ask that you are considerate to all other participants, and just because someone isn’t going as fast as you, doesn’t mean they’re not on course for their own goal.
It is all part of the challenge of a track marathon.

Lap Counting – Trackstar

  • The experts at Nice Work will be providing chip timing. The chip will be on a neoprene strap, please wear it on your left ankle with the chip facing outwards to ensure the strongest possible signal. Do not wear the chip under a sock or any other garment.
  • Nice Work are not responsible for counting laps. They can let you know when you’re on your last lap.
  • You could wait until the finish – go with flow and just wait for the timing crew to tell you you’ve finished.
  • Use elastic bands. Start with 105 bands and discard one each lap. Probably best to split them into batches of 21 though!
  • Use a tally counter. We have trialed these cheap counters and have proven very reliable. They are small enough to wear on your thumb and easy to press. All you have to do is remember to press it each it lap. These can be bought on eBay for a couple of pounds.
  • Use the lap counter button on your Garmin – turn automatic laps off, and hit the lap button manually each time you cross the line, again you just have to remember to press it!

counting
A note about GPS
In almost every session I have run on this track, my GPS watch over reads. Add to that you will be doing a fair bit of passing do not be surprised if your GPS watch reads 27 miles or even more!
A recent example… I ran 38 laps, which recorded as 9.6 miles… it is in fact just 9.4!!! GPS tracking cannot handle the tight turns of a track.

Remember, all races are measured on the shortest possible route, for Trackstar this is lane one (London Marathon for example is along the blue lines). Each lane adds 7 metres to the distance of the track, so a whole lap in lane 2 is 407 metres. As you will pass others please bear in mind this will add to the distance shown on any GPS device.