White Horse Relay

Duties of Marshals, Starters and Recorders
The Start.
Before the start of each stage, the Starter shall be required to check that
the nominated runner for each team is present.
Any missing runner shall be noted and the team will be awarded maximum
points for that stage, as a penalty.
Before each stage the Starter must warn runners of the potential danger points of their stage as
mentioned below.
They must also be warned to take care when running along tarmac roads as no roads have
been closed for this event.
The runners must all assemble at the start line and the starter must commence the race at the allotted
time.
It should be possible to manage with just 3 starters, each jumping 2 stages, e.g. 1 - 4 - 7 - 10 - 13
The Finish.
At the end of each stage, the Recorder must note the number of each runner in the
order of finishing.
It would be helpful if the time of arrival of the first and last runners be also noted so that this
may be used for future events.
Anticipated times of arrival have been calculated based on
the first runner running 10 miles in 1 hour and the last runner taking twice as long.
No cut-off time has been proposed.
During each stage.
Although runners have been told that it is their own responsibilty to know
the route, it is
intended to have a few Marshals at intersections.
Marshals - Location and Reason or Hazard
It is the duty of Marshals to ensure the safety of runners,
however any runner crosses a road at his own risk.
Stage 1 - 10 miles
- At the start of Trowbridge Road as the runners leave Lower Westbury Road
- Traffic
- At the turning off Capps Lane into the field - Indicate route
- Where the runners join Bratton Road at Dunge - Traffic
- 2 marshals
- There may be cattle in the Manor Farm fields in Steeple Ashton - don't try to frighten them.
- Where the runners enter High Street, Steeple Ashton - Traffic
- Where the runners enter Main Street, Keevil - Traffic
- Where the runners enter the main road in Bulkington - Traffic
Water point at Steeple Ashton
Stage 2 - 4.7 miles
- Leaving the canal (New Park Road) - Indicate route
- Crossing the road at Roundway Park - Indicate route (straight across) -
This is avoid a conflict with the Kennet Kanter race which should not pass here until about 11:00.
Their runners change direction at this point, ours go straight across.
- Joining the road at Folly Road, Roundway - Traffic
Stage 3 - 4.7 miles
Runners must be warned that the first half a mile is on a very rocky track
with numerous raised rocks which are not easy to see - Beware of tripping
- To indicate first right turn along Wessex Ridgeway
- To stop runners going to Golf Course
- Road crossing between Bishops Canning and the North Wilts Golf Club, as shown on Google map
- Traffic - 2 marshals
Will the marshals set up Beware Runners
signs about 50 metres at
either side of the crossing on the public highway.
Stage 4 - 6.8 miles
Runners must also be warned to take
care when running along any roads particularly between Broad Hinton and Broad Town.
- Road crossing between Winterbourne Bassett and Cliffe Pypard, as shown on Google map
- Traffic - 2 marshals
- Two marshals required along the road between Broad Hinton and Broad Town - Traffic
and to enable runners to cross from the left hand side of the road to the right hand side
Water point at the first marshalling point, on the roadside.
Stage 5 - 2.7 miles
- Top of Yew Tree Lane - Traffic
- It would be useful but not necessary to have a marshal in the lane as the runners leave the fields
and enter Broad Hinton village - To indicate the route.
- End of Yew Tree Lane near A4361 - Traffic
Will the marshal at this point please clear the nettles from the stile.
- Top of Post Office Lane - Traffic
Stage 6 - 1.9 miles
- Where the track joins the Ridgeway - To indicate the route
Stage 7 - 5.4 miles
- Where the White Horse Trail leaves the Ridgeway. OS:SU 125 729
- to show route
- At the end of the wood. OS:SU 138 718 - To show way
- Where track zig zags. OS:SU 143 714 - To show way
- At the point where the runners must bear right and not continue along the short cut, just after
Manton Down, fairly near the end of the stage as shown on Google map. The turning after the Parking Place.
OS:SU 164 699
- To avoid cheating
Stage 8 - 6.5 miles
- At the first gate. 250 metres from the start of the leg
- To show the way
- On Manton Drove (road) - Traffic
- On the road (near Clatford) just before West Woods - Traffic - 2 marshals
- 50 yards into West Woods - To show the way - not necessary, but useful
- At the start of the Ridgeway, just after Gopher Wood. OS:SU 138 641
- To show the way
Water point at the entrance to West Woods
Stage 9 - 3.6 miles
- No marshals required on this leg.
- Car parking at the far end is very limited (about 6 cars max.)
- After runners have finished this stage, be very careful crossing the A345 which is a
fast busy road with a blind hill summit obscuring the view.
Stage 10 - 5.6 miles
- After turning left from the initial inclined track the pathway is very uneven, narrow and muddy.
- Trip hazard - no marshal
- On Sunnyhill Lane at Bethnal Green, the road to West Wick - Traffic
- On Hollybush Lane, at the junction with Astley Close - possible traffic
- At the roundabout, junction of Milton Road and High Street
- Traffic and to show the way - 2 marshals
Here (High Street) you cross a significant, though not heavily trafficked road.
The crossing point offers good views of the road both towards the left and right.
However, it is at a point where concentration is needed to find the way ahead.
- Positioning of the marshals to caution care and direct runners accordingly.
This would add to overall safety as well as the opportunity to summon emergency services
in the event of an incident.
- Place
Caution Runners
signage on the road where the crossing is approached.
- The path immediately before the finish is particularly rutted by farm vehicles / cattle.
- Trip hazard - no marshal
- The finish is planned to be at the foot of the hill up to the White Horse.
Stage 11 - 2.5 miles
- Two marshals required at the foot of the hill where the runners have to cross the road. OS:SU 165 580
- Traffic - This stage is under discussion with the local police
- Sweeper would be useful - To ensure that gates are closed
Stage 12 - 3 miles
- 200 metres from the start -
to indicate the gate through which the runners must pass
- The second of the three gates early in the leg needs to be lifted in order to open and close
it. It would be helpful if the starter for the leg or a marshal opened this before the leg starts,
then closes it after all the runners have passed through.
- At the road just before Manningford Church - Traffic
- At Broad Street, North Newnton - Traffic - 2 marshals
Stage 13 - 9 miles
- This stage presents no problems
- No hazards
Water point at the top of Redhorn Hill in the picnic area.
OS:SU 059 553
Stage 14 - 8.6 miles
- This route follows the edge of the military zone so it seems unlikely that there will be
any areas of risk for runners - No hazards
Water point near Erlstoke just after the Coulston Hollow Road junction where the road turns left.
OS:ST 949 529 - Water point and indication of route