The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

admin · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject: ESSEX WAY RELAY - the facts

This race covers the 82 miles of the Essex way from Epping Station to Harwich Old Lighthouse in 10 stages. The route is mostly cross country and can be difficult through crops and across ploughed fields. Nevertheless it is a very enjoyable day out in the most attractive rural parts of Essex (with an excellent fish and chip shop and pubs waiting for you at Harwich).

Characteristics of the event as follows:

No marshalling or marking – clubs support their own runners and see to their needs (drinks, support etc.). When possible, help other runners out as well.
Identification by wearing of club colours. If more than one team entered then wear a number (1/2) or letter (A/B) etc.
Runners need to have walked/reccied their stage previously.
Weaker runners, navigationally challenged runners, could be accompanied (perhaps by someone who has already ran) BUT must identify themselves immediately as competitors at the finish. Non-competitors should walk in the last 50 metres.
Two competitions, overall & women only, decided on overall points (1st – 1pt etc.).
Runners for each stage start at the same time.

The 'spirit' of the race is low-key, friendly and cooperative, all competitors should try to support other runners and call them back if they are going off-route and all supporters should assist members of other teams if necessary.

As the name of the event suggests it is a relay, although not in the normal sense of the word. There is no touching hands at the end of each leg or the passing of a baton. Each leg has its allotted start time, so all runners start each leg at the same time, which if I remember correctly, more or less ties in with when the first runner appears on the scene from the previous leg. This way teams with slower runners are not left waiting a long way behind the faster teams, and thereby stringing the whole event out even longer.

There is no marshalling on the course or markers. Runners are encouraged or expected to have reccied the course prior to taking part to familiarise themselves with the surroundings.

Clubs must also support their own runners and see to their needs (i.e water, support etc).

Organised and supported properly it can be hugely enjoyable day, but to do it properly takes commitment.

APPROXIMATE DISTANCES AND START TIMES

STAGE 1 EPPING – CHIPPING ONGAR 7.5 miles 8am
STAGE 2 CHIPPING ONGAR – GOOD EASTER 9.5 miles 9am
STAGE 3 GOOD EASTER – LITTLE LEIGHS 9.5 miles 10.15am
STAGE 4 LITTLE LEIGHS – CRESSING 10.1 miles 11.30am
STAGE 5 CRESSING – GREAT TEY 9.4 miles 12.45pm
STAGE 6 GREAT TEY – WEST BERGHOLT 5.7 miles 2pm
STAGE 7 WEST BERGHOLT – DEDHAM 11.2 miles 2.40pm
STAGE 8 DEDHAM – BRADFIELD 8.0 miles 4.15pm
STAGE 9 BRADFIELD – RAMSAY 5.3 miles 5.15pm
STAGE 10 RAMSAY – HARWICH LIGHTHOUSE 5.5 miles 6pm