FAQs

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Where and when does the race start?

 

Sunday xx March 2014 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester..

Half Marathon starts at 09.00am but you will need to aim to arrive early to allow adequate preparation time as the traffic to the stadium is likely to be slow with the large volume of entrants.

Runners should gather outside the West stand (or inside the concourse if the weather is “seasonal” until called by the announcer. They will then be led to the start line. Please do not go straight to the start line.

The event takes place at Weston Homes Community Stadium Colchester, Essex.

Weston Homes Community Stadium,

Boxted Rd
Mile End,

Colchester, Essex CO4 5HH
01206 843 530

 

Please read carefully the instructions of how to get to the Stadium - Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester

 

Is there parking?

Yes, there is free parking for 750 cars, at the stadium, and more available in surrounding carparks at a nominal charge.  You will need to aim to arrive at the surrounding car parks early as you will not be permitted to park on nearby road sides. Thousands of people will be heading to the stadium and so allow plenty of time to make your way to the stadium and avoid the queues.

How do I enter the race?

This years race can only be entered by completing our online entry form via our website. Postal registrations are no longer being accepted.

We use secure servers for data entry and payment. This year our card payment provider is PayPal.

The 2013 race sold out 4 weeks before race day and with the reputation growing and registrations open even earlier for the 2014 event we expect to sell out even quicker this year.

We will try to provide media publicity as we start to sell out but our advice is if you want to enter this race do so early as there will be NO exceptions once we have closed registrations (and no transfers are allowed once the the event has sold out).

There will be no point e-mailing and requesting a late entry because it will be ignored. The best and only chance you have is by entering as early as you can.

 

 

Is there a limit on entry numbers?

We have set an entry limit for the race of 2,500.  Our aim is to provide a fantastic race experience for runners both at the start and finish facility and on the road.

We sold out 4 weeks before race day last year and are expecting to have to close entries even earlier than that for 2014. So please submit your entry as early as possible to avoid disappointment. We will not be increasing these limits and we will not be accepting transfers once the entries have been closed.

Can I transfer my race number to someone else?

If you find you are no longer able to run on race day and wish to transfer your entry to another runner please e-mail us with all the details (names, address, date of birth, sex) of the transferee and the transferor. Please be advised that we will be charging a £5 admin fee for all such transfer requests and this will be payable via paypal.

Please note no transfers will be accepted once race entry is closed. This may be some time before race day dependent on the speed at which we sell out. So please ensure you register early to avoid disappointment.

If you can not run and it is too late or you don’t want to transfer then you can defer your entry to the following years event. Log in to your account and follow the links to defer your details.

Please note it is a condition of the race that you run with your own name and number.

When and where can I get the results?

The Colchester Half Marathon will be using electronic chips to provide accurate timing. This will be available after the race.

The full results will be published on our web site soon after the finish on race day and by our timing partners Chip Timing UK.

Under UK Athletics rules, the positions are established solely on ‘gun time’. This is the time from the start gun to crossing the finish line. We also publish chip time. This is the time from you crossing the start line to crossing the finish line, and accurately reflect the time it has taken you to complete the course.

How can I confirm that you have received my registration and it has been processed?

You can check if we have received you entry on this web site. Check Entry lists all entries received and processed by the date shown.

On-Line entries will be processed within a day or two.

If your entry is not shown within two weeks of submission, please let us know by e-mail colchesterhalfmarathon@gmail.com   and we will investigate further. For on-line entries we will need the confirmation reference number provided to you by e-mail immediately you have successfully completed the entry, including payment. If you have not received this confirmation it is most likely your entry has failed at the payment stage and you will need to re-apply.

How do I collect my Race Pack?

Your race pack will be ready for collection from the Registration Concourse from 07:00am on Race Day.  Your Race Pack will contain a Race Number, an electronic chip (to be attached to your running shoe) and safety pins to attach your race number. Race packs should be collected by 08:45 am.  You will also be able to collect your race pack in the week leading up to the event from St Helena Hospice.

Can I get a refund?

Sorry. It is a condition of entry that there are no refunds for any reason, however all proceeds do go to charity. This years main beneficiary is St Helena Hospice.

If notification of cancellation is received by 28th February 2014 we will carry an entry forward to the following year’s event. To defer in this way please log in to your account and follow the steps to defer entry to the 2015 event. We regret that due to the way we have to administer the event it will not be possible to defer after 28 February 2014 and no refund will be available.

Can I enter on Race day?

No, we will not be accepting entries on the day.

If you want to support the race on the day then please consider volunteering to be a race maker.

Will there be a reserve entry list?

No we will not be operating reserve list.

If you want to support the race on the day then please consider volunteering to be a race maker.

How many water points are there on the route?

There are 4 water points on the Half Marathon route, including one at the end of the race Location is shown on the route map.

Is there a secure baggage area?

There is a no manned secure baggage area for competitors sports bags in the registration concourse. However runners can leave non-valuable items (at their own risk)

However, please note that the organisers cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to your property.

Is there any medical support?

Although the organisers accept no responsibility for any injury, a full medical team from Essex Medics will be in attendance. If you need assistance just contact a marshal and they will arrange for help.

Are there any changing facilities?

There are no gender specific changing rooms, however there is plenty of indoor space for all runners to change. Please remember to take all your belongings with you after the race.

Do you have any advice on pre-race training?

For a personalised training plan please contact Phil Munro of Inspiring Fitness or visit our training section: http://www.colchesterhalfmarathon.co.uk/training/

Are there any prizes?

There are Prizes and trophies for the following categories:

1st/2nd/3rd in

Half Marathon – Male

Half Marathon Female

Half Marathon – Veteran Male (40 or over)

Half Marathon – Veteran Female (35 or over)

 

There will also be prizes and trophies for age categories and team prizes.

Are there any official photographs?

We have invited Sussex Sport Photography to the official photographer of the Colchester Half Marathon.  Competitors can find details of how to get their race photo here – www.SussexSportPhotography.com

Who organises the race?

The event has been organised by the Colchester Colne Round Table in association with St Helena Hospice. It is supported by a host of volunteers from local charities, the University of Essex, local businesses and local residents.

Who sponsors the event?

We are very grateful for the support and dedication of everyone at the Weston Homes Community Stadium for hosting the race. We are also grateful for support from early sponsor Rubious Web Design and RunActive. We are looking for additional partners and sponsors for future events, if you are interested please get in touch..

What charities will benefit from the race?

Each year Colchester Colne Round Table identifies 1 local charity that will benefit from its fundraising events.  This year Table has been fundraising for the St Helena Hospice which is based in Colchester and the proceeds from the Race will be donated to them.

Will you accept wheelchair entrants?

Unfortunately we have been unable to allow wheelchair entries in the Half Marathon due to safety reasons. The route is open to traffic and many sections are very narrow. There would be a significant risk to any wheelchair entrants.

Our rigorous risk assessments would not allow us to accept wheelchair entrants on safety grounds

How secure is the online entry?

You can be assured that entering on-line is secure.

Your entry details are contained within secure servers and locally within an encrypted, password protected data base. No personal data is passed to any third party, and is only used to send out race packs and t-shirts, present results and -email all entrants with details of the following year’s event.

Your Credit/Debit card payment is handled by PayPal who insist that we are PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant on Data Security Standards.

Can I wear headphones?

Not under any circumstances will you be allowed to wear headphones. If at any point you are seen wearing them (including round your neck) by a marshal you will be reported to the UK Athletics race referees who are within their rights to disqualify you and your time will not count.

The UK Athletics word on all such disqualifications are final and there is no formal procedure for appeal.

As race organisers we take the associated duty of care to all runners very seriously. There will be up to 2,500 runners at the Colchester Half Marathon and we simply can not have people wearing headphones and drifting off into a world of their own.  So we need you to be vigilant throughout the race for your own safety and that of others. We also want you to hear the instructions from the marshals.