Select your language:
|
|
Select your language:
|
Get ready for the Stevenage Phoenix 5 at Shephalbury Park on Sunday, 12th May 2024.
This is the first ever 5 mile road race held for the public in Stevenage for over 10 years and showcases a new route that has great pb potential and a fast finish.
The following elements are included in the race for 2024 (subject to any changes):
RACE DAY INFORMATION
Race Headquarters
Shephalbury Park, Broadhall Way, Stevenage, Herts. What3words taxi.fruit.scout
The Phoenix 5 starts and finishes in Shephalbury Park. The 5 mile course is primarily run on cycle paths and footpaths around Stevenage. There are no road crossings. Leaving the park, runners will pass the Lamex Stadium, Monkswood and the nearly planted 4,000 trees in Fairlands Valley south, complete a loop of the main lake and then re-trace their steps. The route is undulating in places but has the potential for personal best times and has a fast finish.
Event Schedule
08:30am - Information area open for race number pick up. Baggage store opens.
08:30am - Car parking at Barnwell school open for runners (what3words tidy.cope.miles). Public car parks at Fairlands showground (what3words snow.flute.dart) and Ridlins, Woodcock Road (what3words unpacked.remove.stag) also available.
9:40am - mass warm up
9:50am - Call to the Start area
10:00am – START!
10:25am - First finisher expected
11:15am - Trophy presentation
The race will be run under an ARC permit and rules and will have a certificate of course measurement ensuring that it is an accurate 5 mile distance.
Race Numbers
Please allow enough time to collect your number from the registration area near the start if you didn’t collect it prior to race day. Please take advantage of the early collection service that has been set up for Saturday 11th May 2024 (see below). No numbers will be posted. Your timing chip will be attached to the back of your number. Please do not remove it, bend it or cover it with a jacket or you may not register a time. A list of entries and running numbers will be available on race day. Pin your number to the front of your running vest/top.
Collection of Race Numbers
Saturday 11th May 2024 9:30am to midday Shephalbury Park, Broadhall Way (what3words dull.vibe.exam). There will be a registration desk to the side of the football academy near the public car park.
Sunday 12th May 2024 8:30am to 9:45am at the registration desk in Shephalbury Park.
Car Parking
We are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Please try to car share where possible or, if you are local, leave the car at home and warm up to the race venue.
DO NOT PARK IN SHEPHALBURY PARK OR AROUND SHEPHALL GREEN.
There will be parking available at Barnwell School, Shephall Green (what3words elbow.career.lobby) and Ridlins car park, Woodcock Road (what3words club.crust.takeovers) and also the large car park at Fairlands Showground, Broadhall Way (what3words fact.sports.gather). Follow the attendants instructions as you enter the school and keep your speed down to a maximum of 5mph in both. The route from Ridlins car park to Broadhall Way for the park will be marked by tape and signage. The route from Fairlands Showground to the start will be marked by race signage as it forms the last mile of the race route. Park in the Showground car park and walk or run to the start as a warm up and find out what your last race mile will be like!!!
In addition, the car park at the Oaks Cross shopping centre on Oaks Cross (what3words shout.flats.rear) is also available (limited spaces).
There is also parking available on the nearby streets, particularly along Broadwater Crescent. When parking on nearby streets please be considerate to other road users, avoid double parking and do not park on verges/kerbs to avoid parking fines! Parking at Shephalbury Park is reserved for the race organisers and marshals only. Avoid parking around Shephall Green due to the narrowness of the roads and lack of turning space.
Public Transport
Stevenage is on the main line between Kings Cross and Peterborough.
The bus station is around 400 metres from the railway station. Turn left out the station, down the ramp into the town centre. Turn right to the bus station hub. The SB4 buses will take you to Broadwater Crescent. From there you can walk through Shephalbury Park to the start.
Minimum Age
Please note there’s a minimum age of 15 years on the day of the race.
Changing and Toilet Facilities
There will be mobile toilets available in the park near the information stand and football academy. There will be no changing facilities.
Baggage
A supervised baggage area is available in the start area. A baggage label and safety pins will be available at the baggage area. Please note that all kit storage is at the owner’s risk.
Race Route
The 5 mile race is on a mildly undulating course run on cycleways and pathways throughout. There are no road crossings and the course has a fast finish. Marshalls will be positioned throughout the course to guide runners. Please follow their instructions. The route will also be well signposted.
The race starts in Shephalbury Park and leads out on to Broadhall away. It follows the cycleway through to St Margaret’s and the Lamex Stadium. It then turns into Fairlands Valley south running past Monkswood and the newly planted wood containing 4,000 saplings. At the end of the path, runners take a right turn and then through the underpass at Six Hills Way into Fairlands Valley north passing the large lake on the right. Runners then pass the children's play area before taking a right turn down the hill to cross the bridge. Turning right past the cycle hub and climbing tower, runners now pass through the Stevenage parkrun start area before following the edge of the large lake and through the wood. Runners then follow their footsteps back to Shephalbury Park where they pick up their medal, t shirt and cake!
The race has its own Strava club called The Stevenage Phoenix 5. All are welcome to join at https://strava.app.link/GMqGN9bM5zb
The race is run with course measurement certificate 23/401and ARC permit 24/0078.
Distance Markers and Race Signs
Each mile will be clearly marked throughout the course. Race signs will also be positioned at regular intervals throughout the course directing runners where appropriate. Runners should proceed straight ahead on the route unless told to turn by one of the race marshalls or one of the signs.
Water Stations
Drinks will be available in recyclable paper 6oz cups just before 2 miles in Fairlands Valley park. Runners pass the drink station again on the way back at just after the 3 mile point so, in the event of hot weather, they can take additional water on the way back to the finish. There will also be water available at the finish.
Time Limit
There is no time limit for the race as we believe all abilities should be encouraged to run. We will not stand down our course marshalls until the last participant has passed.
Spectators
Spectators are welcome to come and support their friends and family. Views of the race will be particularly good in the park areas. Park in the Showground car park opposite the football ground for easy access to miles 1-2 and 3-4 of the race. Park in the main car park at Fairlands Valley, Six Hills Way for access to the route around the lakes.
Advice to Runners
If you suffer from a medical condition which may lead to an emergency during the race, please put a cross on the front of your number and write details of the medical condition on the reverse. Discuss any medical problems with your GP and do not run if you feel unwell or are recovering from an illness. Always warm up to avoid injury before exercise and start the race well hydrated. Avoid alcohol before the race. First Aiders will be on the course.
Runners can be accompanied with dogs or pushchairs, but not both. If you are running with your dog or pushchair please make sure you start at the back of the race start and take care with other runners on the course.
The course makes use of cycleways and paths in park areas. We ask runners to be considerate of other members of the public on the paths and in the parks.
Headphones
The use of standard (in ear) headphones is not permitted. However, headphones using bone conduction technology can be used. It is vital that runners are able to hear instructions given by our marshalls at all times.
Timing
The race time clock will be at the finish line and all finishers will get a chip time (time from when you cross the start line to the finish line) and a gun time (time from the start gun to the finish). Race timing is organised by www.racesonline.uk.
Results
Results will be available in real time and on this website. Finishers will receive an SMS and email with their times and finishing position.
Food
Light refreshments and wonderful cakes will be available before and after the race from a mobile coffee / drinks van in the park. There will also be an ice cream van.
All finishers can enjoy a piece of cake from our cake stall. We are seeking donations for our nominated charity Cancer Hair Care and collection tins will be available at the cake stand.
Trophies and prizes
Presentation of prizes will be made as soon as practicable once the award categories have been filled. We expect this to be approximately 11:15am.
Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 male and female runners in the race, and then 1st place in the following categories - Men: Seniors, Vet 40, 50, 60, 70+ Ladies: Seniors, Vet 35, 45, 55, 65, 75+ There will also be trophies for the 1st men's team and the 1st ladies team. Teams consist of three runners with the winning team calculated on the cumulative race positions.
Awards are limited to one per person except winning team members.
There will be a cash prize of £50 each to the first man and lady finishers.
Finishers
All race finishers will receive a bespoke race medal and technical race t-shirt (unless they have elected to donate the cost of the t shirt to Trees not Tees at the time of entry). Finishers can also enjoy free cake at the finish! A finisher certificate will be downloadable from the results section.
Race Cancellation
In the event the race can’t be run due to circumstances beyond the control of the organisers, all proceeds, less costs incurred, will be donated to charity. There are no refunds or deferals.
Charity
A donation from the proceeds of the race will be made to the designated local charities/good causes.
Supporters
We are very grateful to our sponsors Cariad Web Design, Stevenage Community Trust and Jordan's Cereals and to our supporters David Lloyd clubs, Knebworth Food Bank and Hashtag Digital Media.
Stevenage Phoenix
Want to get involved in a running club in Stevenage? Stevenage Phoenix Running Club is TOTALLY FREE to join and run with. We train each Tuesday and Thursday at 6:45pm and Sunday at 8:30am/9:15am. Find out more at www.stevenagephoenix.org.uk
See you on Sunday May 12th!