19/07/2023
On The Day – Vanguard Way
Marathon
The Vanguard Way Full & Half Marathon – Sunday 6th Aug 2023 – Start time 9.30am Important / Useful information for all runners.
Please refer to the following information to ensure you have a safe & enjoyable race experience on Sunday 6th Aug 2023 at the Vanguard Way Half and Full Marathon (“VGW”).
1. Course
The Vanguard Way Marathon Course 2023.
There is a fully mapped out route shown below – 13.1 miles out, and then back to sunny Croydon = 26.2 miles in total!
The Half marathon course will follow the same route along the VGW – to the drink station after Chelsham Village – about a mile after passing the big pub – approx. 6.5 miles – then you turn round and head back to Lloyd Park along the same paths and trails.
http://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_3337738.html
Also – we will be following the definitive route from the Vanguard Way website , the link is shown below – we will be covering sections one and 2 just up to the junction of the end of Broomlands Lane and the A25 Westerham Road – then turn around and return along the same path – the views both out and back, will look different and amazing!
http://www.vanguardway.org.uk/
There are 2 short videos to watch to give a flavour of the out route from Croydon to Selsdon,Farleigh, Chelsham , Woldingham and onto Limpsfield. By watching these, you will hopefully be put at ease on the navigational issues on race day.
Out from Lloyd Park to Selsdon Wood , with some classical, Eurovision, Reggae and Pop ; https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99E6bSWIKh6MzFBbUlrbUJzWkE/edit
Out from Chelsham to Limpsfield, with some Spandau Gold and Hotel California
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B99E6bSWIKh6M05XWTg5MnRBNWM/edit
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2. Runners Registration Table open from 7.45am to 9.15am
All the runners will collect their unique race number AND CHIP TIMINGS – most of them with have their names on – those who registered early will, the others will be written on for them – so we can all pretend we really know each other’s first names, nice ice breaker, right?!
3. Start Time – 9.30am sharp
The marathon will start at 9.30am sharp –! With that in mind, please get there nice and early, park and get changed in the changing rooms which we have booked for our marathon runners – the showers will be there after the race as well, so please bring a towel, soap, gel and a change of clothes – we have standards in South Croydon! The Croydon Pavilion Cafe – Park Cafe should be open early for that coffee boost you might need – and ice cream and cakes reward and energy drinks at the finish!
4. Car Parking
There is free car parking at Lloyd Park – but you may only be allowed to park for 3-4 hours (half marathon runners should be ok) – so unless you are Paula Radcliffe or Mo Farrah please can you use the vast spaces of Melville Ave, Ballater Road, Castlemaine Ave and Croham Park Ave. See the google map link to where these roads are, just across from the race entrance.
https://maps.google.com/maps?gs_rn=20&gs_ri=psy-
ab&tok=ZLACjfKoWLSYKALJjq3CQ& pq=lloyd+park+cafe+croydon&cp=11&gs_id=3&xhr=t&q=lloyd+park +cr oydon&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1093&bih=687&um=1&ie=UTF- 8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl
5. Public Transport
This is simple for you train lovers – get to East Croydon train station, then get on a tram for 3 stops and get off at Lloyd Park (takes 5 mins) - Destination will say New Addington – Route 3.
6. Changing Area
Changing Mens/Women rooms open from 7.30am (next to Pavillion Cafe), we will lock the changing rooms once the runners have set off – please leave your valuables locked in cars or kept safe with the HQ team at Lloyds Park.
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7. Bag Drop
All bags can be left in the changing rooms which will be locked until the runners return. Note: Organisers (i.e. myself) cannot be held responsible for any belongings or items that may go missing which are stored in the baggage area, however we are aiming to secure this area and have our marathon officials supervise bag drop off and collection – they will ensure the changing rooms remain locked.
8. Aid Stations
We will provide aid – drink and snacks/gels stations approximately after every 6 miles – so you will pass the first aid station. In view of the hot weather, I will ask runners to take a bottle with them for good measure – drop in bins not in the countryside.
9. First Aid & Communication
Limited first aid will be available at HQ any runner who feels unwell should stop and notify other runners and ask for assistance/support and we will get someone out from the medical support team. Please do not run if you feel unwell on race day, as this is a tough out and back course. Your health and well-being is paramount to us all. Any emergencies can be phoned to the race director on 079677 29922. Please complete the medical info on the back of your race entry numbers – to assist in the event of any emergency – pens will be at HQ to help you. We will be using KLP Medical Support - so will have paramedics available to get to any runner on the route - all marshals and medics will be connected with a WhatsApp group for the day and should any runner get into difficulties - they can phone the RD on tel 079677 29922.
10. Toilets
There will be open clean toilets at Lloyd Park – and sadly non along the course route, which is essentially in the countryside – however, there will be a pub “The Bull” in Chelsham after the 6 & 20 mile mark if you are desperate – otherwise please do as nature intended, where you feel hidden from public view.
11. Mile Markers
There will not be any individual mile markers along the course, except for the 6 miles, 13.1 miles and 20 miles and finish 26.2m – so just have a look at the link showing the mapometer and where the estimated mile markers should be. This is a National Trail - marked by the VGW sign on wooden posts this is what we all need to follow.
12. Litter along the VGW course
Please drop all your litter in the rubbish bins or area situated next to the Aid Stations or the many various bins along the course. It is important we leave the Vanguard Way with only our footprints of the running and nothing else, to ensure the beauty and well- being of the VGW is maintained.
13. MP3 and other music players and road safety – IMPORTANT READ THIS PLEASE!
For your own personal safety, we recommend that you do not run with MP3 music in your ears – so you can be aware of other runners and users along the VGW. There will be a number of key road crossings that we ask you to pay extra caution, at OAKS ROAD (TRAMS), COOMBE LANE (USE THE ROAD ISLAND TO CROSS), BALLARDS
WAY, CREST ROAD (USE FOOTPATH – SEE ARROWS ON FLOOR), ADDINGTON ROAD – REPEAT ADDINGTON ROAD CAN BE QUITE BUSY, THERE IS A PELLICAN CROSSING
A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD ON YOUR LEFT IF YOU PREFER – OTHERWISE, PLEASE WAIT FOR A SAFE OPPORTUNITY TO CROSS – DO NOT TAKE A CHANCE AND RUN ACROSS ADDINGTON ROAD – IF I HAVE A SPARE MARSHAL I WILL PLACE THEM THERE TO ASSIST – OTHERWISE, PLEASE USE YOUR COMMON SENSE! Otherwise, the rest of the route is pretty quiet and rural, one or two others LIMPSFIELD ROAD, THE RIDGE and TITSEY ROAD – that’s it!! Have a look at the map link to see where these are – you run and crossroads at your own risk.
14. Marshals
There will a limited number of race marshals and supporters who will be situated at some road junctions, aid stations and the HQ start and finish area. Please do bear in mind they are all giving up their time to support you on race day, and make sure it’s both fun and successful – without these people we would not be able to put on the Vanguard Way Marathon. I would encourage you, to give your thanks to our wonderful support team right throughout the day – they will be cheering you on!! We would also urge all runners to use caution when crossing busy junctions, as marshals do not have rights to stop any traffic but will obviously help runners at certain key points. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure care and caution is exercised when crossing roads and junctions within the park to ensure there are no accidents or injuries.
15. Spectators
We would encourage friends and families to congregate at Lloyd Park HQ to watch the finishers come in and witness the presentation of medals and tee shirts to all the finishers. The whole Lloyd Park is accessible so we will let you roam free to explore all the amazing sights of Croydon and beyond.
16. Refreshments
The shop at Lloyd Park will be open throughout race day itself – spectators will be able to sit outside safely and watch the runners leave and return while drinking a lovely coffee or tea and eating cakes and sandwiches.
17. Prize Giving and Prizes at the Finish
All half and full marathon runners upon completion at the finish line will need to collect the following:
A Vanguard Way medal and a unique VGW 2023 tee-shirt (various sizes) – and some goody-goody bags!
We will also have some special trophies to award to successful 1,2,3 men/women runners in the event (first men/lady) etc.
18. Race Sweeper
A race cut off time of 7.5 hours ish (4.30pm) will be strictly adhered to. Any runners who appear to be unable to complete the distance by then we be asked to stop and return directly to Croydon HQ. A race sweeper will monitor the slowest runner/s to communicate this with the race directors. We hope as in previous years, all our runners will safely and successfully complete the distance!
19. Results and Photographs
Results and photographs will be emailed to all the runners and results posted onto the VGW Marathon website as soon as possible after the event.
Our event will be chip timed so Nick will make sure these are all recorded at the finish so we can get them uploaded onto the www.1m2go.co.uk website – for both the half and full marathon runners.
Importantly, we will be following UKA guidelines to keep all runners safe on the day, before during and after the event.
20. Vanguard Way Photoguide App
Our friends at Vanguard Walking Club have built a new app to help runners and walkers navigate their way round Vanguard Way – it really is superb in both pictures and words, to download it click on the respective app store image below:
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We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable event and will ask all runners to be mindful of adhering to restrictions, whilst still enjoying the day and this wonderful occasion. It has been such a long wait....and we can’t wait to see you all on 7th August, so....
PLEASE HELP US KEEP EVERYONE SAFE
PLEASE REGISTER URGENTLY to avoid disappointment.
Thanks
Gareth Davies
Race Director
www.1m2go.co.uk
Richmond Park Marathon - May 2023 Results & Photos Results are live, click here to view. Event photos are live, click here to view. The new home for Richmond Park Marathons Our
