ELY NEW YEAR’S EVE 10K ROAD RACE

At 11:00 am on Tuesday 31st December 2024 Little

Downham, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB6 2ST

Dear Competitor, 

Race Number: *Please check the start list below, this will be your race number on race day*

RACE IS RUN UNDER ARC RULING

START LIST

RESULTS

Thank you for entering our end of year race.  We hope you have a safe and enjoyable run and to help with this please read the following information carefully.

Entries

Race entry was on-line only and the race has been full since the beginning of December.Sorry there are no entries on the day. 

Entered runners are listed on this website:

Participants | Chip Timing Solutions

Please check these are correct and if they are not, contact Chip Timing Solutions here: chris@chiptimingsolutions.com

Charity Collections

There will be a collection point for Magpas Air Ambulance and Ely food bank in the village hall, if you wish to make a donation they are in need of tinned fruit and veg, tinned potatoes, long life juice and milk, toothpaste and men’s toiletries, 4 pack toilet rolls.

Do you have spare sportswear you no longer need? Please consider donating it on race day so it can be passed on to someone who can use it.

Holly’s Active Stars will be at the Village Hall to gratefully receive your unwanted good quality used sports clothing and running shoes. This local charity collects unwanted sportswear and equipment and matches it to those who need it in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. By passing your kit on, you can help more people enjoy the benefits of taking part in sport.

They welcome most sportswear but please no race finisher t-shirts, spikes or underwear.

Look out for their pink bin on the day, and to find out more about the charity visit https://hollysactivestars.org.uk/

Collection of Race Numbers  

Race numbers and ankle chips are to be collected on the day in the Village Hall. Please arrive in plenty of time, registration will close at 10.45am.

Race numbers, timing chips and safety pins will be issued in the Village Hall Race HQ. There will be several issuing desks, each for a specific range of numbers. Please go to the correct desk for your number and chip. There will be a list of names and numbers posted nearby. To avoid delays to others, please do not collect your race number until you know what it is. On the back of your number there is a medical declaration which we ask you to complete before you pin your number on.

As per ARC Rules, please do not fold, cut or mutilate your number and pin it securely to the front of your vest. It must be visible at all times during the race.  

Anybody found to be wearing a race in another person’s name, without permission to do so will be disqualified.  This is for your safety and to ensure compliance with insurance.

Weather

The race will take place in all but the very severest weather; i.e. dense fog, or continuous sheet ice on the course, or if all access roads are blocked by snow. The weather forecast is available on Ely (Cambridgeshire) weather - Nearest forecast to Ely (Cambridgeshire) - Met Office

Medical

If you are feeling ill or have a medical condition that makes it unsafe for you to run, please do not do so. The emergency services are not for avoidable casualties. Please ensure you complete the medical declaration on the back of your race number. Hearts first aid personnel with a first aid unit will be in attendance.

Enquiries Desk, Refreshments & Presentation of Prizes

These are at the Race HQ in Little Downham Village Hall. Please note there are no secure kit areas and runners are responsible for looking after their own kit.

Toilets

These are available:

• Outside the Village Hall (single unit toilets in the in the car park)

• In the Village Hall

Please leave the toilet as you would expect to find it.  We have to clean the Village Hall so all cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Car Parking

This is a vital part of our race and it is vital we respect local residents and follow instructions of marshals. Please see the below letter for instructions!!

Car Sharing

We urge runners to car share where possible.  Even 2 runners per car could halve the amount of vehicles in the village and surrounding area.

 Ely Leisure Village

If car sharing isn’t possible for the entire journey, if you can park at the leisure village this allows opportunity for you to arrange with fellow runners to park here and then take just the one car into Little Downham – this could assist with car parking significantly. Marshals will be on hand to direct you to the car park.

You could also park here and use the path to Little Downham as gentle warm up?! The distance is approximately 2 miles.

Parking in Little Downham

Parking is available in the Recreation Ground (50 cars) and Feoffees School car park (15 cars)

After this, drivers will be directed to parking in local roads including Cannon Street, Pond Lane, Lawn Lane and Cowbridge Hall Road. Remember you have to pick up your race number before 10.45am so ensure you plan enough time for travel and parking

Please do not park on the small green space (on the right as you come into the village).  Cars parked here cause damage to the grass and the local community have planted various bulbs here for Spring time, which we don’t want to disrupt.

There will be marshals in the village directing you to various parking sites.

See below for parking information weblink, which shows map and instructions:

NYE10K_Parking_Map5.jpg (1017×538) for parking map and instructions) within walking distance of the Village Hall so please arrive in good time and park carefully to allow a wide two-way traffic flow. A map is also at the bottom of this letter.

Please avoid parking in Main Street (especially at or near the village shop) because this is a busy through road. Also, please do not park in the narrow School Lane or on the village green surrounded by lawn lane and church way and please make sure you do not block any driveways. 

Please do consider car sharing with fellow runners to reduce car numbers on the day and make use of the leisure village.

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting the race!  Above all, have a great run!

Debbie Abraham - Race Director

Start

The Start is at 11:00 am in Main Street, near to the school. Please assemble on the grass area in front of the school to avoid blocking the road where a race briefing will take place. The briefing is to remind all runners that this event is mainly on open roads.  It is therefore imperative that runners do not form groups when running and observe the Highway Code – This includes that vehicles have priority and should therefore be given that.  You will also need to follow marshal instructions and take all necessary precautions to protect yourself from any risks.  Do not overtake the lead vehicle, which if stopped will be for your safety. Anyone who overtakes the lead vehicle will be disqualified.

About ten minutes before the start, Main Street will be closed to traffic and you will be asked to form up in the road.  After the start the road bends left and you are reminded that you MUST KEEP TO THE NEARSIDE OF THE LEFT LANE OF THE ROAD so that it is safe for traffic to overtake.

Finish

The last part of the race is round the back of the village to the Finish on the path behind the recreation area and school. 

Time Limit

There is a 1 hour 30 minutes time limit after which remaining runners will be picked up by the ‘Sweep Vehicle’ unless close to the finish. Marshals and first aid will be stood down soon after this time and race entrants who choose to continue will not be protected by the race insurance. We impose a time limit to ensure the safety of our marshals and volunteer staff and medical teams.

Running with PRAMS and DOGS

For the safety of all runners we have made the decision this year that running with prams and dogs is unfortunately not permitted. 

Wheelchairs

Due to the time of year, the race is not suitable for wheelchairs and they are not permitted.

Audio Equipment (mp3 players and iPods etc)

The use of all audio equipment and/or wearing of headphones/earphones is NOT permitted during the race.

You risk disqualification and may prejudice the liability insurance cover provided to you for this race if you do so. Audio equipment with earphones seriously inhibits the user from hearing traffic approaching from behind and safety instructions from marshals.

Runners wearing headphones/earphones during the race will be disqualified.

Road Closures

For the safety of runners roads have been closed from the start of the race on Main Street up to the first left turn into Lawn Lane only. For the remainder of the race all roads remain open to traffic and runners must exercise due care.

Course

The one lap rural 10k course follows all left hand bends except near the end. It is flat except for a gentle descent soon after the start and a slight climb at 8.5k. The course is very exposed outside the built-up area. All competitors must keep to the left side of the road. Please see link for race map HERE

Chip Timing

Results will be chip timed.  Prizes are awarded on the finishing gun time.

Result | Chip Timing Solutions

Bagpiper!

To ensure tradition, our lovely bagpiper will be back in full swing to serenade you at the start and around the 9k mark (at the top of the incline!). Give him a wave and maybe a jig at the top!

Finisher’s Ale

All finishers will receive a bottle of traditional British ale, of which there will be assorted types from different breweries. There will be non-alcoholic drink alternatives, which are obligatory for finishers under  18 years of age.  

Please take just one bottle of ale/soft drink and once taken please do not return to the beer/crisp table so as to avoid confusion for the marshals and impede recently finished runners.

Awards (one prize per eligible winner)

These will be presented ASAP as follows:

• 1st Man                                     £130 cash

• 1st Woman                                £130 cash 

• 2nd Man & 2nd Woman             £70 cash

• 3rd Man & 3rd Woman               £35 cash

• 1st Veteran Men & Women (5 years M40-75+, W35-70+) £20 cash

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Records

Course and event record holders are Will Clarke (Cambridge Tri Club) 30:05 in 2009 and Felicity Milton (Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies) 34:20, also in 2009.

Results

The results will be available via the race website soon afterwards. Result | Chip Timing Solutions

Finally, we ask for your support, to keep The Village Hall free of mud.  Runners are politely requested to remove their post-race muddy shoes before entering.  And let’s make this the best NYE10k we have had – high five a marshal, shout a big thank you and cheer on your fellow runner – Happy new year!!

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting the race, above all, have a great and safe run!

Debbie Abraham - Race Director