We will not be able to hold Winter Chase in 2020.
We’ve finally been able to return to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for another variation of our most popular run. We are absolutely in love with reserve as are many of you, but we have struggled to find a suitable base until now. The nature reserve had 360,000 visits in 2017 and is one of the largest and most important wildlife sites in England, set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape and home to 4,500 varieties of plants and animals including more than 300 rare or endangered species.
We Run They Run I Run present: Winter Chase!
We’ve worked closely in the past with Sussex Wildlife Trust and in particular Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, this year, part of your entry fee will go directly towards the fund to build the brand new visitor centre at Rye Harbour. Additionally you can add you own donation on the entry form or via their website:
https://ryeharbourdiscoverycentre.org.uk/
Starting at the Sailing Club, you will head towards the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve road, then shortly after you will turn right on to the gravel path that takes you through the reserve. Emerging back out on to the tarmac, you will run past the Mary Stanford Lifeboat House. Shortly after you will see our famous cone at which point you can turn and head back to HQ! In the distance you will see Gran’s Hut with it’s bright red roof, and the sight of 26 wind turbines (1 per mile?!). You will never quite reach these landmarks though as you will turn left off the tarmac and retrace your steps over the gravel path and eventually back to HQ where you can have a well earned rest at the aid station.
You can visit our aid station at the end of each lap, do as many 4.4 mile laps as you want in 6 hours. Let us know when you have finished and we’ll write down your time and distance, and give you your bespoke medal. If you start your last lap before 3pm, you can finish it. Free tea, coffee and a bite to eat. Of course, being winter, prepare for cold weather and strong winds! As with most of our events, it is a low key, friendly affair.
Venue Information
Rye Harbour Sailing Club, The Point, Rye Harbour, East Sussex. TN31 7TU
Parking
There is a large car park at the end of Harbour Road. The nearest post code is TN31 7TY.
Run HQ
Registration will be in the Sailing Club, The closest post code is TN31 7TU. Registration opens at 8:00. Numbers are collected on the day, ID will be required. Nothing is posted. Final instructions will be emailed by the Wednesday before the event. Our aid station will be indoors near the start/finish, you will be able to access our aid station at the end of each lap. There are no other water points on the course so if you feel you will need more, please carry your own.
You will be issued with a wristband at the end of each lap for lap counting.
There is room leave bags. We will not be monitoring bags though so please don’t leave valuables.
Toilets
There are toilets in the sailing club, and public toilets adjacent to the car park on Harbour Road.
Route
***Subject to change***
The route follows grass, tarmac and gravel paths through Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. There is a short section of pebbles you will encounter twice on each out and back lap. There is a short section of road you need to negotiate at the start and end of each lap, however it is very quiet and will be marshaled. Each lap is 4.4 miles, so for a marathon you will need to complete 6 laps.
Briefing & Information
The run briefing will be 15 minutes before the start next to start/finish. It is important you listen to the briefing in case of any changes or venue specific information. This event will be held under UK Athletics rules, a permit for this run has been applied for from the Trail Running Association. If you complete marathon distance or further, this run will count towards membership of the 100 Marathon Club.
Aid Station
The aid station is near the start/finish, and will be stocked with fruit, cake, crisps, nuts, sweets, biscuits, water and squash! You are welcome to bring your own drinks/supplies.
Please note we are going plastic cup free – please bring your own cup or bottle. We have some stock of cups to use up, but once they’ve gone they’ve gone.
On the entry form we ask if you are vegan or vegetarian. This is so we can tailor the aid station to our runners. 3 out of the 4 of us are vegan. If you have any vegan or vegetarian suggestions for the aid station, let us know and we’ll do our best to provide them.
Finish
At the finish, ring the bell and collect your We Run They Run I Run medal. We all love a good medal so we designed a large bespoke medal for Winter Chase!
Back in race HQ free unlimited tea and coffee will be available, while you wait for your friends to finish. You can also help “clear up” the aid station!!!