NEHL Aykley Heads 2023

 Aykley Heads SFNEHL FIXTURE  25/11/23

Hi all, we look forward to seeing everyone for the final 'hurrah' at Aykley. It's been a great fixture over the years and the course should be in good 'Aykley' shape by the image below from Mark Davinson and group recce earlier in the week. Also see attached image re course map and event site layout.

PARKING: Parking is at the old County Hall site (DH1 5UQ). There is no charge for parking (landowners don't charge us for use), but PLEASE USE THIS CAR PARK AND ACCESS FROM THE ROUNDABOUT AT THE JUNCTION OF A691 AND B6532. ANYONE PARKING ELSEWHERE (EG UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DURHAM CONSTABULARY) IS LIKELY TO BE TOWED AWAY.

TENT DROP: Tent drop is at the edge of the event site across from Durham Constabulary HQ (DH1 5TT).

REGISTRATION: THE REGISTRATION TENT WILL BE OPEN FOR COLLECTION OF NUMBERS AND REPLACEMENT OF LOST NUMBERS 1100-1300.

FINISH FUNNEL: When finishing, please keep walking through the funnel and clear the finish area. Your result isn't registered until you pass the 2nd chip reader past the funnel. Officials will offer 'encouragement' to clear the area. They are not getting on your case or being insulting - it gets quite congested at times, particularly in races with larger fields, which doesn't help results recording.

The forecast for Saturday is 7C, NW wind 10-15 Km/h with rain likely. Sunset is at 1549.

The event referee has asked me to notify that in the event of poor conditions and deteriorating light, may require a decision to be taken regarding those runners towards the rear of the senior men's race whether they proceed to complete the third lap or not.

Even in relatively decent conditions, host clubs are usually taking the course down in fading light this time of year, and we dont want (in poor conditions) marshals out on the course for longet than is absolutely necessary.

Thank you.

Look forward to a great event on Saturday. with many thanks to host clubs: Derwentside, Durham City, Elvet.

UPDATE FOR TRAVEL TO/FROM AYKLEY HEADS 25/11/2023

Road Closure At Aykley Heads

The B6532 road between the hospital roundabout and County Hall will be closed on Saturday. This does not affect the entrance to our car parks but a diversion will be in place and it is expected that traffic will move more slowly in the area. Please allow more time for your journey. Diversion signs should be in place.

From the city centre there will be no difference to your normal route to use the main car park. For officials and tent drop off you will need to turn left at the roundabout and go up the the A167 before coming back down to the usual roundabout.

From the north the route the the officials car park/tent drop off will remain the same with the main car park accessed by turning left at the A167 roundabout and driving past the hospital to the usual roundabout.

Post code for County Hall DH1 5UQ

Post code for tent drop off DH1 5TS

The diversion (traffic depending) should take no longer than 5 minutes. Leaving the site may also be delayed due to traffic conditions.

The race schedule will be as at the Harrier League website http://www.harrierleague.com/ As for Wrekenton we are trialing amendments to start times for U17 men race through U13 girls (add 5 mins to website times), and the senior women will start at 1320. Senior men as advertised at 1350.

What3Words

Aykley Heads (car park)
films.mice.risen

Aykley Heads (tent drop)
moth.grape.ducks

Aykley Heads (course)
went.tasty.jumps

 Timetable

12.00 Under 11 Boys

12.05 Under 11 Girls

12.20 Under 17 men

12.25 U17 and U20 women

12.40 Under 15 Boys

12.45 Under 15 Girls

12:55 Under 13 boys

13:00 Under 13 girls

13.20 Senior & veteran women

13:50 Senior & veteran Men

Course Map

Do not use the time table on the map, use the timings listed on the timetable above.

Guests may run in the league at a cost of £5 for the whole season. This is a one off charge. They must register on the day, and let us know if they competed last season (and if they did we can check the pack).

Guests must be members of a EA or SA, or similar affiliated club.

Second Claim runners may not count for team points. They can either run for their first claim club as a guest, or if they come and register on the day they can take part as a non-counting runner in their second claim vest.

Guests & Second claim runners do not accumulate team points, but do get individual grand prix points.

Race HQ will be at the NEHL Tent next at the start area.

Reminder to ALL competitors. We do not split race packs. Your team manager needs to collect and pay for your team entries. I have a list of who owes what, we will not take individual numbers out of the packs, we are far too busy. Find out who your team manager is and make sure they have a cheque or cash with them to cover the club's entry fees.

Costs are £50 + £3 per runner for clubs

£5 for guests

If by some unknown reason you manage to lose your number on the day you've collected it from your team tent, you can buy a new one for £5. I know it sounds daft, but it has happened before.

RACE HQ OPENING TIMES: 1100 to 1300 

On the day entries 

I'll be taking limited entries on the day from clubs - DO NOT expect to rock up with 20 juniors and have them all sorted.  Race HQ will be extremely busy.  
Remember I need Name, Club, Date of Birth, and Sex (if it's not obvious).
If you have this pre-written on a bit of paper that would be great.

No DoB - No entry

Guests - register on the day as per normal



Quick reminder of the rules.

You must start in the pack you have been allocated. (You will be DQd for running from the wrong pack)

You must wear your club's team vest or t-shirt, and all vests must be of the same design (or you will be DQd & won't count for team points)

As per league rules you CANNOT wear headphones

Age restrictions as follows:

Under 11 - must be aged at least 9 on the day of competition
Under 13 - must be 11 on 31st August 2023.  
Under 15 - must be 13 on 31st August 2023.
Under 17 men - must be 15 on 31st August 2023.
Under 17 & 20 women - must be 15 on 31st August 2023.
Senior Men - must be 17 on 31st August 2023.
Senior Women - must be 20 on 31st August 2023.

Athletes may NOT move up or down age categories

Masters men aged 65 may (if they wish) run in the 2 lap Senior Women's race, they register as per normal in the men's race, then come to race hq for a replacement number.  Masters wishing to do this must stay in the 2 lap race all season.

M65+ Team Competition.

It was proposed and agreed to at the AGM that the M65 runners choosing to compete in the 2 lap shorter race with the ladies could have their own team competition.

The format will include 3 runners from the same club forming a team, and the runners must be M65+

At the moment this is a manual process (i.e. I'll be pulling the information from the results and posting an update once it's ready), and there's no prize unless someone wants to donate a cup, although I'm sure I can rustle up a few bottles of wine for the winning team.

It's a little something to keep our running legends motivated and competitive.

So - You guys normally in the 2 lap race don't need to do anything different to normal (just keep on running), and any Masters 65+ fellas who feel like they'd prefer to give this a go instead of slogging it round 3 laps need to come and swap out their numbers at race HQ.

I'll hopefully have a M65+ team update after Druridge Bay fixture

Results will be available on the usual link http://www.harrierleague.com/results/2023-24/