27 October 2024
Event Announcement
It is with massive disappointment that we must announce the postponement of the race on Sunday.
You may have seen in the news that there has been widespread flooding throughout the Midlands. Stratford is right on the Avon, and the water levels are still rising, and are due to peak on Saturday night.
Unfortunately, there is one part of the course that is completely impassable, and is it currently 4 feet under water for 50 meters, and is unlikely to clear by 10am on Sunday.
Try as we might, there isn’t a route option to circumvent the path. It’s only fair to let you all know as early as possible so you can alter your plans for the weekend accordingly. We are very sorry and please understand we do not take this decision lightly. A huge amount of work has gone into the preparation and planning of the event and many expenses have already been incurred.
As per our official cancellation policy, all your entries will be automatically transferred to the new race date which is likely to be Sunday 27th October. You may transfer your place to another runner if you can’t run, or you can defer to next year’s race which will be held on Sunday 14th September
The Tempo Events Team
Event Information/Overview
The route for both races has a bit of everything, and it shows everything that Shakespeare’s Stratford-Upon-Avon has to offer with a finish coming past the Bards RSC Theatre. Previous results show that this event is ideal for gaining personal best times which is useful for both experienced runners and those new to the distance.
Thank you also to Lodders Solicitors who continue to support this event and will be our principle sponsor in 2024. We are also supported and also support Time Out – this wonderful charity will be supplying your marshals for the day. We are grateful to everyone who makes the day possible. You can provide a donation to this fantastic charity when you enter if you wish.
Have a look at the race layout on Google Earth on this link HERE
Results back to 2013 can be found HERE, results for 2009 to 2012 can be found HERE.
Registration
Pre-Enter
Click on the red button to enter online. If you would like to enter by post, please contact us and we’ll send you a postal entry. Numbers and timing chips will be sent out by post before the event. Day entries will be available but only if the race limit hasn’t been reached. It’s worth booking in early to avoid missing out.
Registration on Race Day
A Registration or Information Point will be open from 7:30am Follow the direction from the car park.
Start Times
All runners need to be ready to move out of the field at 9.15am, and then we will walk you out to the start line.
The 10K runners will be led out to their start, and the half marathon in a different direction to theirs. When all runners are in place we will start the half marathon. As they reach the parallel 10k start we will start the 10k. Runners will converge after the first roundabout.
Minimum Age
10K – 15 years old to run this race.
Half Marathon – 17 years old
Entry Fees:
10K
Running Club Member (affiliated) – £26
Non-Club Member (unaffiliated) – £28
Half Marathon
Running Club Member (affiliated) – £33
Non-Club Member (unaffiliated) – £35
Please note there is also a small transaction fee.
If we haven’t reached our race limit there will be day entries available at £35 (10K) / £40 (Half Marathon)
Route Map & Course Information
Both races are based on Stratford Recreation Ground in the far corner by the tennis courts (near where the Parkrun starts from). The both races start at around 9:30am with the Half starting just before the 10K. It is really important al runners ready near the exit on to Shipston Road by 9:00am for your race briefing.
The 10K route is as follows: –
We will group you on the Recreation Ground according to your projected finishing time. We will then walk you to the start which is on the Shipston Road (A3400) which will be closed for the event. Once the hooter has gone you will head up the A3400 before turning right at the second (new) roundabout and heading along the B4362, Clifford Lane followed by another right-turn at Clifford Chambers onto the Milcote Road. Keep following this road passed the halfway point and then another right turn will take you onto the infamous Greenway. This fantastically flat section of the course will surely be welcome to all runners. Head all the way down the Greenward along past the Racecourse and take the right hand fork. This path takes you to the river and a run past Lucy’s Mill Bridge and on up to Holy Trinity Church. Nearing the end of the race now you pass the Church on your right-hand side before turning into Waterside. A slightly downhill section past both the Courtyard Theatre and the famous RSC Theatre sees you approach last year’s finish line which you run past via Bancroft Garden. Here the course extends over the canal bridge and then the Tramway Bridge over the River Avon before a final right to onto the Rec where the race finishes near the bandstand.
The Half Marathon routes is as follows: –
Runners will be led out onto the A3400 Shipston Road (in reverse speed order) and the opposite direction to the 10 runners. The Half marathon start will be just before the 10k. As the lead runners come level with the waiting 10k runners we will start the 10k race. Races will be separated for the first 500m with half runners going to the left of the first roundabout. Races converge after the roundabout by Severn Meadows Road. Both races follow the same route, Shipston Road, Clifford Road, Milcote Road. When all runners arrive at the Greenway at Milcote the Half Marathon runners will turn left and head along the Greenway to the very far end before turning right on Station Road. Another right turn brings runners onto the Welford Road and the the village of Long Marston. Heading through the village and approaching Rumor Hill runners turn right and head back to Milcote and then back onto the Greenway towards Stratford. Again following the same route as the 10K, runners head along past Lucy’s Mill Bridge, Holy Trinity Church, RSC Theatre and across Bancroft Gardens. Negotiating the canal footbridge and the tramway bridge runners turn right, back onto the Rec and through to the finish just before the Band Stand.
Directions & Parking
There are many pay & display car parks in Stratford within easy walk of the race. The closest one is signposted "Rec Ground"
The start and finish of the race is on the Shipston Road which is South of the river. But we will actually collect all runners under signs based on your race target time on Stratford Recreation Ground and then lead you out onto the Shipston Road. Those of you using Sat Nav place the following post code in CV37 7LS. This will lead you to Stratford Butterfly Farm and from there you will see the car parks. From there follow the signage to the start.
Drinks Stations
Water Stations
10K
There will be one water station on the course at approximately 5 kilometres.
Half Marathon
There will be a water station at 4 miles, 7 miles and at 10 miles.
We encourage everyone to only take water if you really need it, we are trying to cut down on the use of plastic and many people just have one swig and throw away the bottle.
Post-Race
Water is provided for you at the finish. There are many coffee shops and restaurants in Stratford. Please do take the time to enjoy what this famous town has to offer.
Prizes & Mementoes
All runners will receive an epic medal upon completion.
Prizes will be handed out on the day in the finish area.
10K
There are prizes for the first 3 finishers of each gender (male/female) and the first in each age group starting from 35 and going up in 10 year increments. If an age group winner also finishes in the top 3 then the age group prize rolls down to the next finisher.
Half Marathon
The are prizes for the first 3 finishers of each gender (male/female) and age group prizes as above.
Baggage & Toilets
A baggage drop off area will be provided at the FINISH only. You have a tear off strip on your number – use this to tie onto your bag and hand it over. The finish is 400m from the start and is located by the bandstand on the Rec.
There are public toilets at both ends of the car park, by the Restaurant and by the children’s playground, and also some portable ones near the start.
Withdrawal And Cancellation Policy
Up to six weeks prior to the race entrants will receive a full refund less a £2.00 admin fee.
After this deadline, no refunds are offered unless the runner comes to help marshal on the day. However an entry may be transferred to another runner on provision of full details prior to the race. Entries cannot be transferred on race day.
In the event of the race being cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control we will attempt to reschedule to a later date in the same year and all entries will transfer to that rescheduled date.
If this proves impossible we will offer entrants either a percentage refund or the option to donate that refund to the race charity.
The percentage refunded / donated will depend on costs incurred at the time of cancellation.
All contact should be made by email.
Music Whilst Running
We have officially changed our policy on earphones. Historically we have had a complete ban on earphones for safety reasons and because it impossible for us to verify that every pair worn are bone conducting. But we’re aware that many people train with theirs and can feel uncomfortable without them and it can help with motivation during the tougher moments of a race. So all our events going forward will allow earphones to be warn. However please have volumes at a reasonable level so you can either hear instructions from marshals or noise from vehicles, especially any medics who are trying to get through to any runners who maybe in need of their help.
Event Charities
THE TIME OUT GROUP
For the race we are once again partnering with our charity partner, The Time Out Group, which is a registered charity based in South Warwickshire whose aim is to provide specialist support to children with disabilities and their families, helping them to access numerous family opportunities. These children typically have complex behavioral and/or communication needs, and as a result need support with social interactions and struggle to access other local groups. The Group is split into two peer groups to help us to organise age appropriate activities. It is testament to the group that most of the children who join stay with us until they reach adulthood. Unfortunately, as a result places in the group are extremely limited. The Time Out Group meets on a Saturday to go on outings to participate in community leisure activities with the support of skilled and dedicated care workers. For more information please go to the website at The Time Out Group - Stratford upon Avon You can elect to run for The Time Out Group, or simply make a donation, by ticking Yes in the appropriate box on the application formEvent Partners
Lodders Solicitors
Lodders is a law firm built around outstanding legal advice and a friendly, professional service. The firm was established over 230 years ago and has offices in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham, Birmingham and Henley in Arden. Specialising in work for private clients and privately owned businesses, we serve a range of clients from business owners through to wealthy families, landowners, farmers and successful individuals, we are renowned for our technical expertise alongside thoughtful, intelligent advice and a highly personal service. We enjoy taking an active part in our local community, whether through our charitable work through our own Lodders Charitable Foundation or by sponsoring and attending events such as Stratford's 'Big 10k', Moreton Show and Kenilworth Show, and we pride ourselves on our personal touch and friendly approach.
Your Race Day
Your Race Day will be taking snaps of you looking at your finest as you're running around the course. Click on the logo to view your photo's. It may take a few hours after the event for them to be uploaded.