Bluebell 5

Entry Form   -  Race Description  -  Race Day Information  -  How to get there  -  Results  -  Pictures  -  History

Next years race - May 9th 2010

'It is now possible to enter online via www.runnersworld.co.uk  
or
by post using the entry form on this website'

Race Description

A five-mile off road run through the lovely Little Haven Nature Reserve (just off the A127 near Rayleigh Weir). The undulating run takes you through 92 acres of spring flowers, ancient woodland and open hay meadows.
It is a fund raising event for Essex Wildlife Trust (Charity No 210065). All profits will go to help maintain the reserve.
Full changing, showering and toilet facilities will be available at the Deanes Sports Centre, Daws Heath Road where there is ample parking.
Results service will be available on the day.

Race Day Information

(For a printable version a word version is available)

Bluebell 5 May 9th 2010

Facilities

There are showers, W.Cs and refreshments (including delicious home made cakes!) at The Deanes School Sports Centre.

The course

Allow 10 minutes to walk to the start from the sports centre. We will start the run promptly at 1030 in the field opposite Anne’s Mini Market. The course is 2 laps all off road. Normal running shoes should give you sufficient grip but if there has been lots of rain in the week before the run you may find studs or trail shoes would be better.
The run will take you through ancient woodland, across hay meadows and, with any luck, masses of bluebells. We want you to enjoy the beauty of the reserve but please also watch where you are running and leave sufficient gap between you and the next runner so that you can see the ground underfoot. There are tree roots to trip over and uneven ground to twist your ankle. First Aiders will be in attendance but we would prefer you not to be injured in the first place. If there any medical problems of which we should be aware of please write details on the back of your number.

Prizes

Every finisher will receive a a memento but the 1st/2nd/3rd male and female and 1st male and 1st female veteran will receive a prize of a wooden bowl hand turned by an Essex Wildlife volunteer. The wood is sourced from the reserve. Only one prize per runner.

Travel

There is a responsibility on all of us to limit car travel. So please consider cycling, walking, car sharing or public transport.
If you come by train on the London Liverpool Street line arrive at Rayleigh Rail Station to catch the 0907 or 1007 No 1 bus to Woodmans Arms.  Alternatively it is a 30 minute walk from Rayleigh Station to the Deanes School Sports Centre.
Journey time by bus is 9 minutes and Woodmans Arms PH is a few minutes walk from Deanes School.
There is parking at The Deanes School Sports Centre Daws Heath Road SS7 2TD.
Please do not park in the reserve near the Hospice as this is strictly reserved for visitors and staff.

Thank you for your support. All profits from the event help in maintaining the reserve. We hope you enjoy the run and return to the reserve in the future
If you have any questions before race day please contact me, Ray Vautier ray.vautier@tiscali.co.uk  01702 526574

Good luck!

How to get there

Link to Multimap showing the location of the Deanes School Sports Centre

http://www.multimap.com/s/v1yLjI6B

Results

2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005

2009 Race Report:

I am pleased to report that this years run was successful in many respects.

The weather was dry and sunny and the bluebells were still out. It was certainly hot running but there was welcome shade in the woodland sections.

There were over 350 competitors, which is a record and hopefully reflects that an increasing number of runners enjoy the run and want to take part. I would also like to think that the competitors return to the reserve at some other time and enjoy it at a slower pace, possibly with friends and family.

We raised over £2100 for the Essex Wildlife Trust. This is another record. All this money goes towards maintaining the local nature reserves and purchasing new ones.

On the downside we had a number of accidents which is always a concern. We will be looking at the causes to minimise the risks and try to prevent future occurrences.

Unknown to us before the day one of the car parks at Deans School was closed due to potholes. This caused problems on the day which was compounded by large numbers of dancers turning up with a coach. Please accept our apologies if you were inconvenienced by the parking and congestion problems.

The increased entry this year meant that the Sports Centre foyer was heaving with people at the peak time. Next year we intend to move the refreshments outside to a tent/gazebo on to the grass to relieve the pressure on the foyer.

We recognise that fewer people have chequebooks and intend to introduce online entries as an option next year to make it quicker and easier for people to enter.

If you have any comments on this years run or would like to make a suggestion for improving the event, please contact ray.vautier@tiscali.co.uk We are always keen to get feedback.

Thank you for your support and please keep May 9th 2010 available. Run starts at 1030 prompt!

Ray Vautier

Pictures

(photos courtesy of Benfleet Running Club)

History

The run dates from 1998 when Cliff Moore, the chairman of the Castle Point local group, asked for ideas on how to raise money to maintain the local reserves.
Ray Vautier is a member of the trust and a keen runner suggested organising a run around the reserves.
His favourite distance was around 5 miles, away from traffic and through woodland/ meadows.He thought that if he enjoyed it, then there would be others that would too.
The format has proved to be successful, last year attracting 350 runners and raising just over £2100 and something like £14000 since 1998. All this goes to maintain the existing reserves and help to purchase new ones.
We have had success financially but a spin off which wasn’t intended was that more people now know and appreciate the local reserves.
It hasn’t always been plain sailing. In the first year we missed out a marshall which meant that it was the Bluebell 4 ¼! In 1999 we were caught out by the very hot weather and struggled to supply enough water.
The foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 meant we were unsure whether the run could go ahead. It did but we had to change the course at almost the last minute. Ironically most runners preferred the altered course so we have stuck with that.
Essex Wildlife Trust is blessed with volunteers who regularly give up their time to support the reserve. We need a small army of people on the day to mark out the course, marshall, timekeep, record, cater, water station, late entries etc, etc, etc. and before the day we also need people to print and distribute entry forms, publicise the event and prepare the catering.
‘Remember 2 things;’ reports Runners World Aug 2008 ‘The cake stand at the finish is regarded by race veterans as unrivalled and leave your watch and PB aspirations at home- you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery and race experience a whole lot more’
Couldn’t have summed it up better ourselves!