Thames Ring 2011
The second Thames Ring 250 mile Race is due to take place from 22nd June to 26th June 2011 - giving everyone involved in the inaugural event two years to recover from the experience! In 2009 we were resigned to the possibility that no one would make it to the finish line, but were delighted that twelve of the thirty-four starters eventually completed the course.
The pilot format worked exceptionally well so we do not intend to tamper with it unnecessarily. The only slight change is that the start will be at 9 am on the Wednesday, one hour earlier than before. The finish deadline on the following Sunday will be at 1 pm, also an hour earlier. This gives a maximum of 100 hours for a race distance a shade under 250 miles. There will again be nine check-point/feed-stations en-route and runners will be expected to be self sufficient between these points.
Experience gained last time has given us the belief that we can cope with a larger field (subject, of course, to more helpers coming forward). Entries will be strictly limited to 125 which should mean that we have approximately 100 competitors on the start line.
Some potential competitors have expressed concern at the prospect of running alone through the less attractive areas of West London in darkness. To alleviate their fears, concerned runners will be encouraged to wait for the next runner, or runners, behind them to catch up before proceeding. The pair or group would then proceed together until they are confident to separate. Should there be a lone runner at the back of the field, a volunteer escort runner will be available to accompany them.
One aspect of the first event was a bit disappointing. As individual support teams are banned, we hoped that runners would donate their crews as checkpoint helpers for the benefit of all. The idea was to put competitors on equal terms and provide teams to man all the course check-points. There was an incentive in the form of a partial refund of the entry fee. Very few runners took up this offer and we were lucky to recruit sufficient volunteers. Clearly, it is very difficult to get people to commit to an event that starts mid-week and then lasts over four days!
We are making the same offer for 2011, in the hope of a better response this time. The entry fee will be discounted by £25 for every 24 hours of help provided on the introduction of any runner. The maximum discount for one entrant will be £75. The entry fee is £125 (plus £2 for those who are neither members of the TRA nor registered with English Athletics).
Thirty people have already expressed an intention to run in 2011. We now invite any others interested in taking part, either as competitors or marshals, to contact Anthony Taylor (a.j.taylor@talktalk.net) 2 Maunsel Street London SW1P 2QL as soon as possible.
Entry forms will be available from 1st October onwards.
Dick Kearn and Anthony Taylor 11.9.2010
|
