Taking place in 5 spectacular country parks across Essex, these races offer an opportunity to get away from the road and experience trail running in the summer.

 

With monthly events between April and September, take your pick from Hylands Park, Marsh Farm, Hadleigh Country Park, Thorndon Country Park or Weald Country Park and race one, more, or all five to qualify for our series Grand Prix.

 

These are one of our favourite sets of events - loved by all types of runners - but places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

 

Event merchandise is available for purchase during registration for collection at (or delivery prior to) the event, further details on which will be confirmed prior to the event.

 

All of our events are organised following government and governing body COVID-19 guidance. We will continue to ensure that we deliver safe and enjoyable events.

 

For event updates and future promotions, follow The Race Organiser on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also join our Strava club to see how your fellow competitors are training and compare your event day performance.

 

Event Details

 

Licensing

These events will not be licensed.

 

Bib Numbers

Bib numbers are available for collection at the event only, participants should not expect to receive anything by mail.

 

Results

Results will be uploaded live to our website (internet connection permitting) and communicated to all pre-registered participants within 24 hours of each event.

 

Rewards

All finishers will receive a medal on completing their event and, subject to a competitive field of participants, prizes may be available for the top three places overall - and the top place in each of the veteran categories (V40/V50/V60/V70) - for both females and. Winners will be notified via email by the end of the following week once results are considered final.

 

Series Entry/Qualification

In order to satisfy eligibility requirements for the Essex Cross Country 10K Series Grand Prix, participants must finish at least 4 of the 5 available series races, all of which will then be used to calculate final positions (determined with respect to the highest cumulative score).

 

Cumulative scores will be calculated by automatically matching a participant’s name, gender, and date of birth, and allocating points with respect to their final position at each event. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure the details they provide during registration are consistent for all events throughout the series, and to notify our event timing partner as soon as possible where a discrepancy is identified.

 

Participants will be allocated 50pts for 1^st, 49pts for 2^nd, …, 2pts for 49^th and 1pt for 50^th+ for each individual event.

 

Categories will be determined using a participant's age on the 31^st December of the calendar year in which the first event of the series takes place.

 

Prizes will be awarded to the top three places overall, and the top place in each of the veteran categories (V40/V50/V60/V70) for both females and males. Winners will be notified via email within two weeks of the final event where a presentation is not possible on the day, and/or once results are considered final.

 

In the event of a tie-break, the higher position will be awarded to the participant that has attended more events, then by age category (oldest first).

 

Facilities

 

Medical Cover

Suitable medical cover is provided at our events in case of a medical emergency. 

 

Bag Drop

Whilst we recommend bringing as little as possible, participants can leave essential belongings with us using the tear-off baggage strip on their bib.

 

Photography

Event images are expected to be available, usually within 24 hours of each event.

 

Water Stations

Water will be available these routes on every lap/loop.

 

Toilets

Toilets will be available around the start/finish area for use throughout these events; with toilets available on the Thorndon course only (subject to park facilities being open). Whilst unavailable at Hadleigh, toilets are also accessible on the other courses, a short distance from the start/finish area on each lap.

 

Changing Rooms/Showers 

There are no dedicated changing rooms/showers.

 

Other Information

 

Wheelchairs

These events are not suitable for wheelchair users due to the nature of the terrain.

 

Buggies, Pushchairs and Strollers

These events are not suitable for buggies, pushchairs, strollers (or similar) due to the nature of the terrain.

 

Spectators

Spectators are permitted at these events.

 

Earphones/Headphones 

Noise-cancelling earphones/headphones are prohibited and, whilst we discourage the use of other earphones/headphones in running events, participants choosing to use them should ensure they are set to a low enough volume that instructions from event officials can be clearly understood. 

 

Dogs

Participants must not be accompanied by a personally owned or controlled dog during an event. Entries may be accepted from participants with medical assistance dogs, subject to them being correctly registered and identifiable as such, and subject to prior approval by the Event Director.

 

Directions

For details on planning your journey and available parking facilities, please visit the park websites. Further details will be communicated prior to the event to all registered participants.

Hylands Park, Greenbury Way, CHELMSFORD. CM2 8FS

Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CHELMSFORD. CM3 5WP

Hadleigh Country Park, Chapel Lane, BENFLEET. SS7 2PP

Thorndon Country Park, The Avenue, BRENTWOOD. CM13 3RZThorndon Country Park, The Avenue, BRENTWOOD. CM13 3RZ

Weald Country Park, Weald Road, South Weald, BRENTWOOD. CM14 5QS