RIVER PARRETT TRAIL RACE INSTRUCTIONS 

EVENT RULES
 
It is recommended that the nominated team captain distribute a copy of these rules to each runner.
 
CAR PARKING    ( Please Use the  Designated Car Parks at all Change Over Points)
 
This year as the Parrett Trail Route is similar to the 2010 route with the exception of the leg 4 to leg 5 changeover at Kingsbury Episcopi. We have with the kind permission of Landowners and Landlords secured parking places near the start of Legs 1. (Steart Nature Reserve)  Leg 2. (Field near Chilton Trinity. At Chilton Trinity turn Right into Straight Drove, [marked No Through Road] at the Tee Junction turn Right into road marked [No Unauthorised Vehicles] continue on this road/track and Car Park is on the Left )  Leg 3. (The Boat and Anchor Inn. Please park at the far end of the Car Park)  Leg 5 the field designated on the route details and leg 6 at Daniels Farm.
PLEASE respect these Landowners requests as we will require further use next year
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
As the field at the leg 1 to leg 2 change is controlled by a combination lock  we request that all vehicles are removed after completion of Leg 1 and the Start of Leg 2 as the farmer can then return all livestock to this area. Failure to compley will result in car owners contacting the Landowner to release the cars.
 
The course for The start remains as previous years by kind permission of England Nature (STEART NATURE RESERVE) [See Car Parking] We have tried to clarify the changeover points by adding some detailed diagrams to the leg instruction sheets. 
Leg 1 finish and Leg 2 start is as last year with car parking on private land as agreed with the landowner for Race Day Only. This area must not be used under any circumstances for car parking to carry out any recce runs before the event.
 
Leg 2 finish and Leg 3 start the change over is at the BOAT & ANCHOR INN at Huntsworth. (See Car Parking) For recce runs use the Canal Side Car Park ONLY unless a patron of the BOAT & ANCHOR INN.
 
INTRODUCTION
The Parrett Trail Relay is a 6 stage Trail relay run with varying distances of legs from 5.6 miles to 9.5 miles on permissive and public rights of way following the long distance path from the mouth of the river Parrett on the North Somerset coast. It crosses the country to finish just over the border in Dorset close to the source of the river at Winyards Gap.
 
The total measured route is approximately 48 miles. This relay is broken down into 6 stages, the distance of each stage varies between 5.6 miles and 9.5 miles (depending on organisational constraints). Please see the route obtainable from the website.

To see route overview click HERE.

Please see the description sheet for each leg.
Nominated Team Captains have been provided with :-
Race Numbers.
 
WORD OF WARNING
 
The information provided, together with official Parrett Trail signs marking the route should be sufficient to follow the Trail on foot. At speed it is so easy to get lost.
Navigation is the responsibility of each individual runner.
Ordnance Survey Maps useful for navigating the Parrett Trail EXPLORER MAPS 140, 128, 129 and 116.
To view the River Parrett Trail Guide click HERE
 
EVENT RULES
 
1.       The event is a 6 leg relay race over approximately 48 miles. Run by teams of 6 runners with mixed teams having 2 or more female runners. Navigation is a key challenge for all teams.
 
2.        All teams and their runners must abide by the Law, the Highway Code and the Country Code. The official course of the Parrett Trail should be used. (NO SHORTCUTS) 
 
3.       Each runner and team is responsible for following the correct route and making sure that they go the right way. If a runner goes off route, they should return to the same place they left the route and then continue to complete the leg.
 
4.       Each team is responsible for transportation of its runners to the beginning and at the end of each leg.
 
5.       At the end of each leg, water, snacks and Tee Shirt will be distributed to each runner.
 
6.       Runners must register with the marshals at the start of their leg. It is the runners responsibility to be registered and prepared to run at the allocated start time (see Rule 10). Late changes to team members can cause problems to the organisation and are discouraged. In the event of team member substitution, please inform the marshal of name changes.
 
7.       Teams may accompany their runners on bike or foot. However, in the spirit of the relay, this should not be done so that the runner is given any advantage.
 
8.       The start and finish point of each leg will be marked.
 
9.       A cut off finish time will be applied to each leg giving a max time of between 1 hour and 1hour 45 minutes depending on the distance of the stage. Most runners should be within this time which equates to between 10.45 and over 12 min/miles. Runners over this time will be given the Max Time. Please see description sheet for each leg.
 
10.      Non starters at any leg will incur a 1 hour penalty in addition to the leg max time.
 
11.      Each change over area is scheduled to close 30 minutes after the stated cut-off time, or when the last runner finishes the leg, whichever is the earlier. Teams and/ or team captains are responsible for their own transport and safety.
 
12.      To ensure that the runners follow the correct route runners may have to pass through checkpoints. Failure to be checked in will incur an additional 15 minute penalty.
 
13.      The winning team in each category will be the team with the fastest cumulative time.
 
14.      The organisers accept no liability for injury, loss or damage to any person or property. Failure to abide by the rules may result in a penalty. This penalty will be decided by the organising committee. In accepting entry to the Relay, teams automatically agree to abide by the rules.
 
15.      Clarification of any of these rules can be done through the marshals at each changeover. Failure to abide by the rules may result in a penalty. This penalty will be decided by the organising committee.
 
FINALLY-   The relay encourages good sportsmanship amongst teams. This means good fair competition at the same time looking after and supporting others, giving them water and ensuring everyone’s safety. We want the relay to be enjoyable, friendly and a successful event that you and your club or team will return to year after year.