TIMETABLE OF EVENTS
SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST
9.00 a.m. – Campsite opens
12 noon – Registration opens
5.30 p.m. Race briefing. Please attend so that we can run through some important points
about the Runnng Blind 12hr
5.50 p.m. Runners begin to line up on the start line. In order to limit the possible
bottleneck on lap one runners will be seeded and asked to line up according to their last
10k time. This should help all runners get a clear start. ( Do bear in mind this is a long race)
6.00 p.m. The 2014 Running Blind 12hr begins!!
8.30 p.m. if starting a lap after this time please be sure to set off with your headlight or
torch
6.00 a.m. (Mon 25th)Race finishes . All runners to complete the lap they are on
7.30 a.m approx. Podium presentation for all categories
4.00p.m. Campsite to be clear please.
LOCATION AND CAMPING/PARKING INFORMATION
LOCATION – The Lawns Arena, Catton Park, Walton on Trent, DE12 8LN
To avoid a narrow bridge at Walton on Trent it is best to approach from the A38 between
Lichfield and Burton-on-Trent. Leave the A38 taking the A513 signed for Tamworth and
Alrewas. Head towards Tamworth on the A513 , after approx. 1.5 miles you will go under a
railway bridge. Take the left turn immediately after the bridge. The event arena will be on
the right hand side after about 1 mile.
CAMPING
Camping is free and available from 9.00 a.m. Sunday through till Monday 4.00 p.m.
inclusive.
There will be an area for soloists and pairs to camp close to the start /finish. Team camping
will be in alongside the arena. Please be considerate and do not tape off unnecessarily large
areas. Also please keep the number of vehicles on the campsite to a minimum.
Caravans and motorhomes are permitted but be aware there are no electricity hook ups so
please come prepared with alternatives such as small generator for power or gas for
cooking.
Facilities brought onto the site include shower blocks and flushing toilets.
Barbeques are welcome - but strictly NO digging of fire pits or open fires.
Well behaved dogs are welcome to bring responsible owners. Dogs must be kept on a lead
at all times and you must clean up after your dog. Catton Park is a working farm so if walking
your dog please stick to the obvious event fields or camping areas to avoid disturbing
livestock in other parts of the park.
Please ensure that you remove all tent pegs when you break camp as equestrian events are
also held at the venue. Also take extreme care with glass and bottles and make sure your
pitch is free of litter when you leave .
THE RULES
1) CATEGORIES
Solo category – open to male and female
Pairs category - open to two male, two female or mixed pairs
Teams of Five – five male, five female or mixed sex teams of five
Once racing begins there can be no change to the team line up . The order in which
the runners go on course can change but team members cannot be substituted.
2a) SOLO RUNNERS
Soloists, obviously, race on their own for the 12hrs . Soloists can take breaks as they
require but must only leave and rejoin the course at the start /finish arch once they
have crossed the timing mats. They should let the timing staff know if they will be off
course for more than a few minutes (e.g. if taking a rest period) and when they
resume. Any time off course will be added to their next lap when they continue.
2b) TEAM RUNNERS HANDOVER –
Runners can only change over at the designated area at the start/finish zone. When
Runner A is out on course, Runner B needs to be ready at the changeover area when
A is due to complete his lap(s) . Runner A will come in after their lap and hand the
exchange baton to runner B before he starts the next lap. If the on course runner
intends to run more than one lap they will be able to pass over the timing mats ( to
register the lap) and continue . If no runner is there to hand over to (e.g. they are
still asleep in their tent) the runner on course can either elect to run another lap or
to go and find them.
If a runner drops out of your team tell the start/finish staff so they can be struck off
the register. Remember your team can’t get a result unless everyone has raced a lap.
(This excludes serious injury)
3) REGISTRATION
All competitors must sign on with registration before 5.00 p.m. You will collect your
race number, timing chip and relay baton at this time. These will not be posted out in
advance
IMPORTANT- runners must check that their details are correct & that they are
entered into the correct category when they sign on.
4) RACE NUMBERS
Race numbers must be worn while racing. If you have a medical condition, have any
allergies or are on medication at the time of the race please write details on the
reverse of the race number.
5) THE BATON
The relay baton must be carried by the ‘on course’ runner at all times. Losing the
baton will incur a time penalty with the incoming runner having to wait 5 minutes
before being given a new baton to hand over.
6) CHAMPIONCHIP TIMING SYSTEM
FR Systems are again doing the event timing. The system revolves around
transponder chips that all runners must wear on their ankle (NOT on the wrist.)
As you pass over the mats at the start/finish arch the system will detect your racing
chip and credit you with that lap and time. The clock then starts for the next lap
whoever might be doing it . If another member of your team is doing the next lap
pass the baton to them, they set off and their lap time will stop when they pass over
the timing mats when they return.
7) MINIMUM LAPS
Each registered runner must complete at least one lap during the 12hours for the
teams score to count. There is no maximum number of laps.
If taking a break please leave the course after crossing the timing mats and tell the
timing official that you are taking a rest break. This time off course will be added to
the next lap when you, or another team member, return to continue
8) FINISH
The Running Blind 12hr officially finishes at 6.00a.m. So long as a runner starts a lap
before the 12hrs have elapsed that lap will count in their total lap score once
completed. Teams can declare at any point (if all team members have run one lap)
and their total laps completed will still stand.
The winning team will be the one that completes the most laps in the shortest time .
Results will be as number of laps plus time taken to finish after 6.00a.m.
9) CHEATING
Cheating will not be tolerated. Substituting unregistered runners, cutting through the
tapes, taking short cuts and any other cheating will result in instant disqualification of
the runner (if soloist) or the complete team.
10) QUIET TIME
Between 11.00p.m. and 05.00 a.m please keep the noise on the campsite to a
minimum. Please consider everyone on site.
11) MEDICAL and MASSAGE
There will be a qualified medical team on site to deal with medical emergencies for
the duration of the event. The First Aid point will be stationed in the main arena. All
race marshals will be able to radio for help if necessary.
Masseurs will be in attendance. These guys are all volunteers and will massage
competitors for a cash donation. Please turn up with clean legs and bring your own
towel.
12) PROBLEMS DURING THE RACE
If you have any problems while actually racing or encounter a fellow competitor
having problems please tell the next race marshal so assistance can be called if
required. Similarly, if you encounter people messing with course markings or lurking
around looking shifty, tell a race marshal and they will ask an official or security to
investigate.
13) POST EVENT
We recommend that you rest up and eat lots of nice food.
Don’t travel too far on Monday if you can help it or get a fresh driver to take you
home.
HINTS AND TIPS
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Team Mates
The guys and girls you’ll be running with and sharing the experience with are
vitally important to you. Make sure that everyone in the team has the same kind
of goal in mind. If one of the team has their heart set on winning outright whereas
the rest of the team would be over the moon just to complete the distance then
friction is bound to occur. Make sure that you are all ‘singing off the same hymn
sheet’ and your race will run a lot smoother.
Camping
You, your team mates and helpers are encouraged to set up camp the night
before the race. This will give you plenty of time to get organised. On the day of
the race you’ll soon be busy with the running itself so anything you can get
prepared in advance is a bonus. You are also welcome to stay on site till Monday
morning.
Food
You’re going to burn off a lot of calories over the duration of the event so making
sure you are fully fuelled is imperative to success. We will have caterers on site
who will be open night & day preparing hot & cold food but self-sufficiency is a
good thing. There’s no queue for one thing. Bear in mind that you won’t want
anything that’s too complicated to make.
Your time off course is precious & you’ll want to spend as much of it as possible
resting up. If possible call on a friend or partner to be your chef for the weekend
to take care of the food. Remember to keep hydrated at all times too. If you’re
not used to energy drinks this isn’t the time to start experimenting with them.
Stick to what you are used to.
Clothes
Take as many changes of clothes as possible. It doesn’t matter if the weather is
good or bad there’s nothing quite as demoralising as having to pull back on cold,
wet kit. Likewise, bring more than one choice of footwear.
The Race
Remember how long the race is . Don’t go out like a bat out of hell and end up in
a withered heap after the first couple of laps. Pace yourself, learn the course it is
quite technical out there so having good knowledge of what’s around the corner
is valuable.
Change Over
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To see out the duration without any hitches good timing at the changeover is key.
It is worth finding a willing volunteer to help with the timing & making sure
everyone is woken up at the right time & at the changeover area on schedule.
Keep track of roughly how long everyone in the team takes to complete a lap,
write things down & have a clock handy to work out the approximate hand over
times. That way the runners get as much rest as they can & spend as little time as
possible standing around waiting at the change over area.