Witton Park Trail Relays

Sunday 3rd Feb

12:00 noon Senior Race - (must be 14 on day of race)
3 x 5K Legs with 189m ascent BS
Team Awards and Fastest Leg Awards
Categories Open, Vet, Junior in Male and Female.

11:00 am Junior Race - (must be 10 - 13 on day of race)
3 x 2.8K legs with 106m ascent BS

Fully Flagged and well marshalled.

20% of entry fees will go to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team.

Final Details yet to be confirmed and I may adjust the start times a little, but all will be in the Calendar and full details will be published soon. I just wanted to get this out so you can pencil it in and start asking questions, as I will have missed something I'm sure.

Just to give you a little background here. As many will know, Witton may not be true fell, but it is a tough climb up the back on really fantastic woodland trails and this is all off-road apart from a couple of road crossings; the World Mountain Champs Trials were held here in 2011.
The route will be based on that course.

With the loss of the Pennine Bridleway, I felt that this gap in the calendar would be ideal for a test event. We have some other routes that could be added in time to create a 3 or 4 leg relay with 5k - 12k legs that are all out and back from the same start/finish point.
We have a great base at Witton which means we can run it a little bit like the recent National Fell Relays with plenty of parking, changing facilities, the cafe, easily accessible etc.

It won't replace the PBR which will be sadly missed, but hopefully it will develop in to an annual event that we can enjoy in the same way and more importantly for me, it allows juniors to get involved as well in an event and on terrain which is suitable for all.

Great idea WP. Witton Park (not thee!) is a great venue; I was a the Red Rose event last weekend. Some tough lile hills.

Storming. Will get that in the calender now. Just confirm for me is it age on day of race or 1st Jan. ;-)

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Originally Posted by Clash City Rocker

Storming. Will get that in the calender now. Just confirm for me is it age on day of race or 1st Jan. ;-)

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Training age :p

3 x 5K Legs with 189m ascent BS
Team Awards and Fastest Leg Awards
Categories Open, Vet, Junior in Male and Female.

JONES AND VERNON SECURED, I CAN AFFORD TO RUN VERY POOR NOW :w00t:

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Originally Posted by multi coloured

JONES AND VERNON SECURED, I CAN AFFORD TO RUN VERY POOR NOW :w00t:

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I think you're showing unwarrantedly and impertinently bold presumption there MC....... and quite cleary you've not seen this photo off RR already declaring his fell running relay colours

http://i47.tinypic.com/34g6cya.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by multi coloured

3 x 5K Legs with 189m ascent BS
Team Awards and Fastest Leg Awards
Categories Open, Vet, Junior in Male and Female.

JONES AND VERNON SECURED, I CAN AFFORD TO RUN VERY POOR NOW :w00t:

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Aled Jones and Vernon Kay! I've got Tony Audenshaw from Emmerdale and Nel McAndrew. I think you've had it :p

Great idea Richard.....I will direct any Pbw relay queries your way......beware we are coming for the junior prizes !

http://www.ukresults.net/13feb.html#wittontrail

The entry forms are now on John Schofields website.

I have decided not to do online entry. The systems available are too cumbersome for these Relays due to the variety of age groupings that I have - I would have had to set up a sort of entry system per category.

So we are going with postal entries only.

I think I have dealt with all the detail I can on the form but if anyone has any questions, just log them on here, email me at [email protected] or give me a call on 07739 765727.

The initial reaction looks like it's going to be a well attended event.

Been around the route today and it's in great nick. Hopefully we'll get a day like today.

Just to clarify that we have the following Team Categories :

Senior Men
Senior Women
VET Men (over 40 on day)
VET Women (over 40 on day)
Junior Men (14-17 on day)
Junior Women (14-17 on day)

Fastest leg award for each of the 6 age cats.

You can mix categories if your athletes don't fit evenly but the team will be counted as the higher level cat.

Teams from different clubs allowed but will be treated as non-counters.

I will be putting route guidance on the Blackburn Harriers Facebook page later today which you will be able to check out.

Any questions let me know.

Info an entry form at http://www.ukresults.net/2013cal.html#feb

Following requests for a little more info, I'd like to direct you to the Blackburn Harriers Facebook page where I have posted maps and a brief route description.
http://www.facebook.com/BlackburnHarriers?ref=hl

Here's a fuller description of the Senior 5K loop.

The Start / Finish of each leg is the Cross Country start which most will know. It is in the show field to the left of the access road which runs up towards Witton Pavillion from the main gates.
You will be able to pitch club tents - there is an area to the left of the Pavillion.

From the start, the route heads west across the field keeping between the 2 trees and the cycle path for around 250m before peeling off to the right and crossing the path at the farm gate, following the trail up to the left of the farm gate for approx 400m to steps. Climb steps turn left at top and then almost immediately right, still climbing.
This section continues to climb for around 800m passing through 2 gates until you arrive at the crossing of Under Billinge Lane (farm access road).
Bearing slightly right, cross the road and head through the stone doorway climbing around 100m to a path crossroads.
Turn left here and follow the path under a low branch and then climbing steeply as it turns to the right.
At the top of this steep section as the path bears left and flattens out cross a very small stream and turn immediately right, continuing to climb.
After around 250m the path flattens and take the left turn at a finger post bearing down hill on a gravel track for approx 100m to a path junction where you turn right and join a undulating section of trail for approx 700m ( a road and a few houses should be visible now on your left around 50 - 100m below you)
At the end of this section turn left sharply down hill to an old Car Park.
At the very bottom of the Car Park turn right along a path, passing a murky lagoon on the right before climbing gradually to a cross road of paths. Here turn right climbing steeply to a T junction where you turn left and continue to climb for around 400m before taking a left turn up to the Viewpoint.
Bear right across the summit, passing the concrete platform and bench on your left and as the path starts to drop off the summit bear left and follow the twisty path through the trees which is flat for around 30m before it starts to descend.
After around 100m take the right fork still descending and twisting then after about another 200m at T junction turn left climbing slightly to an undulating section.
This is around 500m and towards the end it descends gradually to a T junction where you turn right.
Now it is straight down around 500m to exit Billinge Woods on the left on to the road and turn left.
After 20m take the right turn through the gate and cross the field to the gate, then bear slightly left across the field to the gate at the top of Big Cover Wood.
Follow the gravel path down, descending the stepped section and cross the wood bridge at the bottom and turn right.
Follow this track passing the adventure play area and then the carved birds to the road.
Cross the road slightly right through the trees heading between the track and the pavillion and crossing the road to the handover point back a the start/finish area.

It is an extended version of the loop used for the World Mountain Running Trials held here a few years ago. In my opinion it's great terrain for racing and offers something for everyone.
Fell runners will find some of the descending quite fast and technical and it is all off road except for the few road crossings. A mixture of dirt, gravel and woodland tracks.

Overtaking is fine for most of the route. Perhaps the most difficult section would be the first 500m after the summit where the path narrows a little. Passing a slow runner would be fine here, but trying to pass someone racing at close to your speed may be a little trickier.


The Junior Loop follows the same course except
head through the stone doorway climbing around 100m to a path crossroads.
Turn right here and follow the path descending for around 300m before leaving the woods on to the road and turn left.
After 20m take the right turn through the gate

Hi Everyone - pre-entries are closing early next week. Anyone wanting to save a few quid, you will be Ok if you post Monday.

John Schofield has advised he's happy to still take postal entries up to Friday, so if you want to save a few bob, get it in the post quickly.
See post 9 for the link.

You will be able to enter a team on the day and you will also be able to make substitutions if someone from your pre-entered team has had to withdraw.

We are now up to around 70 teams - about 50 seniors, so thanks for your support. It looks like being a good day and we already have a couple of hundred quid guaranteed to Mountain Rescue.

Just one point - if you don't know the area, please do not underestimate the terrain. Both senior and junior races are well inside the B Category threshold and if we didn't have the start/finish field we would be very close to A category.
The route also may not be traditional fell, but it is all off-road on gravel and dirt.
It is also quite technical, with twists, turns, tree roots, eroded sections and a tricky long flight of odd sized steps to come down.

With the wet weather this week, you will probably need fell shoes or very well treaded trail shoes.

The route will be well marked out and well marshalled.

VERY IMPORTANT
There may be a requirement to carry full body cover including hat and gloves as well as a whistle. I will make the judgement on the day, so please come with it - I'm sure you all do anyway ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQNu46ZtBcw

World mountain trials footage from the witton park, the same course for this weekends 3 person relays

looking forward to it. 3 teams entered going first class tomorrow in post
Adrian

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Originally Posted by multi coloured

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQNu46ZtBcw

World mountain trials footage from the witton park, the same course for this weekends 3 person relays

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Not quite the same course - the same terrain. If anything this relay route around the woods at the top is a tougher one than the world trials.

Good footage though.

I did forget one other point.

PARKING.

The main car park at Witton has been out of action but was supposed to be finished and re-opened by now but I think the wet weather has hampered them - it is still closed and looks like some time off being ready.

2 good options.

Just above the main gates is an entrance next to a speed camera which takes you to the astro turf car park. That's OK for most and 300m to the start/finish area.

Also

200 metres above the main gates fork right on to Tower Road, 200 metres and turn right on to the Car Park. Cross Bridge and follow path round to pavillion (walking back up the start straight almost)
This is 500 metres from the start/finish area.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clash City Rocker

Storming. Will get that in the calender now. Just confirm for me is it age on day of race or 1st Jan. ;-)

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See you tomorrow Al?

I'll be there at 7:00am :D

Any forumites come and say hello please.

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

See you tomorrow Al?

I'll be there at 7:00am :D

Any forumites come and say hello please.

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Dallam will be there with our 3 teams assuming my cheque arrived OK. will you be at registration?
see you tomorrow
Adrian

A splendid event for the juniors....a big thank you to Richard and Blackburn Harriers for organising the event, hopefully it will go from strength to strength each year.

Yes the Seniors!!

Well as an RO making his debut at a relays a few things to consider. Having said that the issues were mainly leg 1 so would have happened had it been a straight race.
It seems that in a couple of points the tape was missed at junctions by a runner and of course then the pack mentality creeps in and a bunch follows the original errant athlete.

Anyway, we had a few "wrong routers" mainly on leg 1 and from my perspective I'll look to get some laminate signs for next time.
A thank you as well to those that offered to support the event with some marshalls next time and also to a couple from Clayton, Ghary Whilkinson ;) and John Roche that jumped in to help as well.

BUT
Feedback has been excellent. Really pleased with the 80 teams in the senior race and we were chuffed to pass on £300 to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue after the event.

I'm putting my feet up for the night now, but I'll be back tomorrow to post results info etc.

Results ate here http://www.ukresults.net/2013/wittonrelay.html

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Originally Posted by Lefty

Results ate here http://www.ukresults.net/2013/wittonrelay.html

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Great event, can't wait for next year :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

Yes the Seniors!!

Well as an RO making his debut at a relays a few things to consider. Having said that the issues were mainly leg 1 so would have happened had it been a straight race.
It seems that in a couple of points the tape was missed at junctions by a runner and of course then the pack mentality creeps in and a bunch follows the original errant athlete.

Anyway, we had a few "wrong routers" mainly on leg 1 and from my perspective I'll look to get some laminate signs for next time.
A thank you as well to those that offered to support the event with some marshalls next time and also to a couple from Clayton, Ghary Whilkinson ;) and John Roche that jumped in to help as well.

BUT
Feedback has been excellent. Really pleased with the 80 teams in the senior race and we were chuffed to pass on £300 to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue after the event.

I'm putting my feet up for the night now, but I'll be back tomorrow to post results info etc.

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Excellent event Richard. Everyone from Dallam enjoyed it (and a hot shower afterwards---- quality)
definitely will be back next year. well done with organising it, a great venue

Some junior Witton Park Relay pix here http://www.woodentops.org.uk/ more junior and the senior relays to follow, once Dave gets his finger out!

Think this race could become a favourite in the race calendar look forward to next year.

Hi Everyone,

By popular demand we are holding a Summer version.
The Witton Park Summer Trail Relay
Slightly shorter leg at 3.65km so that we can fit it in during an evening.
Only one set of races - with the shorter distance 12 year olds can run.

So it's Thursday 27th June at 7:00pm with 3 x 3.65km legs.
Details are at :-
http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=2768
http://www.ukresults.net/13jun.html#wittontrail
http://www.blackburnharriers.co.uk/w...r-trail-relay/
https://www.facebook.com/WittonParkTrailRelays?ref=hl

I hope that's enough info for you :)

Any questions, you can use the forum, Facebook or email.

I hope we'll see plenty of you there.

Pre-entries closed unless you hand-carry them today.

30 odd teams so far and I know I've 3 clubs at least to come with some on Thursday so will be comfortably over 40 teams.

50 would be a nice number.

Weather's looking good so should be great running. I look forward to seeing everyone and having a good night.

i'll be there as part of a Clayton team. Looking forward to it as i missed out in Feb!

Brilliant tonight Richard, well organised and Barlick will definitely be coming back. Well done blackburn harriers.

Thanks Stephen.
Sunday 2nd Feb for the 2014 Winter version and I think we'll stick with that shorter lap - it seemed to work well.
What we might do is move to 4 per team / 4 legs so that we can then allow mixed teams with 2 male and 2 female athletes as quite a few clubs like to compete in this category.
Any thoughts anyone?

Results should be on our website early this morning and I'll post the link as soon as poss.

Sounds good Richard. We'll be there whether its 3 per team or 4.

Great event, really enjoyed the route. I would go with 4 per team.

Sunday 2nd Feb for the 2014 Winter version and I think we'll stick with that shorter lap - it seemed to work well.
What we might do is move to 4 per team / 4 legs so that we can then allow mixed teams with 2 male and 2 female athletes as quite a few clubs like to compete in this category.
Any thoughts anyone?

4 legs - 4 per team, Great idea that :thumbup:
The improvement in quality of runner at the top end last night plus the faster course should make the winter event even more popular, Well done WP

What a top event that was last night! First time iv'e done a relay & it felt good to be involved in, a good cameraderie between teams etc... Looking forward to Feb!

http://www.blackburnharriers.co.uk/s...-trail-relays/
Results on link

Hi Everyone,

Only a few weeks off now and we have gone with a 4 leg relay for the Winter version. As it's daytime we don't have issues with regards to light, so adding an extra leg is fine.
It allows for mixed mens / ladies Team Category, which I know many clubs like as an option.
We are also sticking with the shorter lap that went down well in the June 2013 event so 12 year olds can now take part.
As a result no separate junior race this year.

As last Feb, 20% of the takings will be donated to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, who will be providing first aid cover for the event as they often do now for us a Witton and many other events across their patch.
We raised £300 for them last February and I hope we can reach a similar figure this time.

http://www.ukresults.net/14feb.html#wittontrail for entry details and some race info (event info sheet will be on shortly)
https://www.facebook.com/WittonParkTrailRelays?ref=hl
For regular updates

Seniors 18+, VETs 40+, Juniors 12-17
The 7 Team Categories are (age on day) :-
Senior Men
Senior Ladies
VET Men
VET Ladies
Junior Boys
Junior Girls
Mixed (must be at least 2 female)

You can enter teams that don't meet the exact categories - eg 3 Senior W and a Junior Girl would be Ladies team.

Awards for all winning teams and all Fastest legs in the 6 categories.


NB. It's the same route as the Inter Counties Fell in May which will also have junior races at U18 and U16 which are trial races.
So if you want to check the route out, it's a good chance to have a go at race pace.

I went around the route on Saturday and there's plenty of mud. I'd definitely be in my fell shoes if I was racing, although a decent trail shoe will be fine.

We are just over 40 pre-entries so far with those received in the post and a few that are "in the post" :)

I know Horwich and CLEM have some more entries to come and so we'll be well over the 50.

Last year we had as many entries on day. Hopefully we'll get up close to the 100 teams and top last years £300 for Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue.

Registration will be open by 10:00am.

NB. I must have Parental Consent Forms
http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/pdf/13_...nsent_form.pdf
so if you can fill them in before coming it will save delay at registration.

Entry forms also needs to be fully completed.
http://www.ukresults.net/14feb.html#wittontrail
You can download here and again fill it in advance and speed up the registration process.

The Summer version of the relays takes place on 26th June starting at 7:00pm.

Entry Forms available here.

3 per team.

6 age Categories.

Seniors, Vets (40+), Juniors (12-17) age on day.

Hope to see plenty there again :)

52 Pre-entries with details on the Facebook page.
Entry forms can be downloaded from ukresults.net

Registration will be in the new building. Access from the double gates at the top of the track, near the old Pavilion.

The park is busy these days, particularly from 6:30 onwards so arriving early should ensure a parking place in the main car park.

Alternative parking is available at Tower Road BB2 5LE, which involves an extra 400m of walking to get to the event HQ.

Cheers Richard, what a cracking event. Really well organised, plenty marshals shouting encouragement and a tough little route to slog around. Thanks to all involved.