Inverclyde Windfarm Trail Race – event brief

Inverclyde Windfarm Trail Race 2021

Pre-race instruction

Introduction

Greenock Glenpark Harriers and Acorn Trails would like to thank each and every person who has signed up to race and volunteer at this event on Wednesday 14^th July at 19:00. We hope you enjoy our inaugural Inverclyde Windfarm Trail race. The race would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors BayWa r.e., Migo Sports and Tesco (Port Glasgow). Thank you.

All details in this brief can be used in conjunction with our custom Google map

The course

The course will consist of 3 laps of the windfarm, running clockwise. Start and finish area will be 200m from the course adjacent to the car park. Underfoot conditions are gravel/rocky path. Road shoes should be suitable barring a monsoon.

The total distance is 5.5 miles with over 500ft of elevation. Water will be available on the course.

There will be additional race signage along the route as necessary. There will also be marshals on the route for your assistance and safety. Please heed instructions and guidance from these volunteers. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the event. The route is easy to follow and hopefully you can enjoy the stunning views. There may be live stock on the course such as sheep, be mindful of this risk.

Car parking & public transport

There is a small car park located on the windfarm however participants are not permitted to use this parking area to keep all runners and volunteers safe. This will be reserved for volunteers and St Andrew’s Ambulance only, who will be on hand to keep us safe.

There is ample car parking facilities around the registration area. We suggest that you park within the Devol Industrial Estate, Port Glasgow, PA14 5XH. Signage and marshals will be on hand to guide you to the registration point.

Greenock Glenpark Harriers and Acorn Trails accept no responsibility for parked cars and/or their contents.

You are not permitted to park anywhere on Kilmacolm Road which is the road leading to the windfarm. This area will be patrolled and any participants seen parking will be asked to move and may be disqualified from the race. We want this event to continue for many years to come and we need to ensure public safety and keep the roads clear.Port Glasgow Train station is the nearest station to the race. It is just over 2 miles, up a tough climb from the station to the start line. There are plenty of local buses that you can access to get anywhere from Inverclyde to the Devol Industrial estate. You can find the easiest method of public transport using the Traveline Scotland App.

Registration

Event registration will be at Dougliehill Road where the new access road is located (see Google Map link for details). This will save congestion on the course and allow participants to stay off the course for as long as possible before the event begins.

Registration will open from 17.45. You will collect your race number and make your way up the access road to the start line. This is approximately 1.2 miles to the start line, a perfect warm up distance. This takes approx. 15-20 minutes walking. Please ensure you allow enough time to make your way to the start.

Please note, there is NO registration at the start line. You must register at the designated area before making your way to the windfarm. Registration will close at 18.30 sharp.

You will be required to wear a face covering at the registration area.

Swapping race numbers has always been against the rules but is even more relevant with the current Track and Trace regulations. Runners caught swapping race numbers will both be reported to their club, Scottish Athletics and barred from future events.

You will be allocated a wave number building up to the race along with your designated race number to ensure a smoother registration process. Wave numbers will be dictated by your estimated 5k time and entry numbers.

Start

We will call waves to the start line but here are our anticipated start times. We can hold up to 100 runners in each wave.

Wave number and race numbers – click here

Wave 1 – 19:00

Wave 2 – 19:10The race brief will be to the point to avoid extended time in the holding pen. You will be required to wear a face covering and to stay socially distanced in the holding area. We recommend a buff as this will save you losing your mask on the route, once you start there is no need to social distance or wear your face coverings.

Finish area

Once you have crossed the line, enjoy the moment and then move away from the finish line straight away. Spread out around the course or move on for your cool down.

There will be water and bananas available at the end kindly donated by our local Tesco in Port Glasgow.

Please take any litter away with you and use the bins at the finish area.

First aid

St Andrew’s Ambulance will be supporting the event and available to help as required. They will be located at the start and finish area. Report to your nearest race marshal in the event of an injury.

Chip timing

The race will be chip timed and results posted as soon as possible across our social media pages and by email post race.

Road crossing!

You are required to cross the B788 Kilmacolm Road which can be busy at times. Please be extremely careful when crossing this road as you make your way to the start line. Volunteers will be on hand to support you in crossing but we do not have the authority to stop on coming traffic.

Changing & toilets

We have hired 2 portable toilets which will be located at the start of the race. Please be respectful of the local environment and use the facilities.

There are public toilets available in Port Glasgow town centre across from the Coronation Park at the main bus station. You can make use of these facilities before making your way up to the race.

Unfortunately, there will be no changing facilities but you can drop your bag at the start/finish area. All gear is left at your own risk, Greenock Glenpark Harriers, Acorn Trails, our volunteers and our sponsors are not liable for any loss or damage to your belongings.

Race prices and merchandise

The number of participants will dictate the race prizes available on the night. We propose to have prizes for the following categories thanks to our sponsor Migo Sports:

• 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd Male, Female and Non-Binary race winners
• 1^st place in the following categories 40+, 50+ and 60+ should all age categories be contested.

To minimise any risk of spreading Covid-19 we will post all race prizes to the winners and merchandise as soon as we can post event. We would love to celebrate all of your achievements on the night but our day will come to do so again, until then we will need to settle for some glory on social media.

Our wonderful merchandise is custom made to order. Unfortunately with the closing date being so close to the event we will be unable to get these to you before or on the event day but we will get them to your home address as soon as we possibly can.

Volunteers

No event can go ahead without the amazing team of volunteers. These unsung heroes have given up their Wednesday evening to make this event a success and to ensure your safety. Show them how grateful we are. A smile, a wave, thumbs up, a gasped “thanks” – all these things are appreciated. Above all, please listen to any instructions from our volunteering team. Abuse of any kind will not be tolerated.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for giving up your time to help us make this event a success. Volunteers will all receive a free entry to a future Acorn Trails event.

Covid-19

And of course with all races here is our Covid-19 guidance which you must follow.

Inverclyde is currently in Level 1 meaning we can have start waves of 100 runners. Waves will be confirmed nearer the time and once numbers have been confirmed.

• We will use your registration details for track and trace purposes.
• Face coverings, such as a buff, are required to be worn at registration, in the holding area and at the start line.
• Please keep a 2 metre distance from others in and around the course (you do not need to socially distance during the race).
• Please to try spit, sneeze etc into a tissue and dispose of this properly.
• Do not attend the race if you have Covid-19 symptoms or feel unwell.
• If you can, we encourage you to carry out a Lateral Flow Test at home leading up to the event. This will help to minimise any risk of infection. These can be ordered online.
• If you have Covid-19 symptoms in the 10 days after the race please contact Andy McCall on 07838777116 to allow us to carry out Track and Trace procedures.

Social Media

You can follow us on social media for race results, event photographs and anything else. Please share your posts with us using these handles.

Greenock Glenpark Harriers 

Facebook      Greenock Glenpark Harriers

Twitter:           @GGHarriers

Instagram      @greenockglenpark

Acorn Trails

Facebook:           Acorn Trails

Twitter:           @AcornTrailsUK

Instagram:         @acorntrails

 

Contact details

Andrew McCall                                             Alex Osborne

Race Director                                                Race Director

Andy_mccall@hotmail.co.uk                     Alex@acorntrails.run

07838777116                                               07943838805

Key Notes

• Only park in the designated parking area at Devol Industrial Estate
• Leave plenty of time to get from registration to the start line. Approx. 1.2 miles
• Do not leave any litter
• Respect all volunteers and members of the public

 

Link to a detailed Google Map for parking, registration and all other things – https://bit.ly/3h9hBEz