It's just a few days until you will be unleashed in to Bracknell Forest for the second Rat Race Green Belter of 2010. You are spoilt for choice at this great venue with cracking trails snaking through, we’ve picked out the highlights for you to get your teeth in to. So what’s the score? Well...
Bracknell Green Belter Format Update
Timings
Note: The start time is now 1200
Saturday:
0900 – Kayak skills course 1 starts (Horseshoe Lake)
1000 – Kayak skills course 2 starts (Horseshoe Lake)
1000 – Registration opens
1130 – Pre-event briefing
1130 – Registration closes
1200 – Start
1400 – First finishers expected
1700 – Last finishers expected
1730 – Course closes
1730 – Prizegiving
The Course
To make the most of the area and to ensure you get to sample all the best bits, there will be several colour-coded loops for you to complete in the following order:
Red Run loop 1 - 3km* – This is a short burst along some tracks to get you warmed up and ready for the rest of the day ahead
Blue Bike loop 1 - 8km* – A short loop taking in some tracks and intricate single track giving you a taste of what is to come
White Run loop 2 - 11km* – You’re back on foot for a longer loop with an entertaining run along more paths & tracks and really nice trails
Yellow Bike loop 2 - 22km* – Hop back on the bike for the final time and eat up some more awesome single track on this long bike loop. A quick out and back along roads to access the kayaking before you head for home
Each loop starts and finishes at the event village. *Distances are approximate
Note: For those of you who did our Pippingford Green Belter, please note the change of loop order.
Kayaking - Within Bike Loop 2 you will visit the kayaking stage where you will have a short paddle before carrying on your bike.
Obstacles - Along the course there will be 3 obstacles to keep you on your toes. You’ll just have to wait and see what they are but expect to get a bit wet & muddy.
The Green Machine - If that wasn’t enough, once you’ve completed all the loops you have one final hurdle to overcome, The Green Machine!
Conquer all that and you deserve to cross the line.
The course will be fully waymarked so no need to navigate your way round. When you register you will receive an info sheet including a detailed route map which you can bring with you if you wish. There will also be maps to view at the event village.
Safety & Conduct
Conduct - This a popular forest for walkers & cyclists, please respect the forest and any other users and remain vigilant. Some of the course overlaps with running & biking on the same sections. Please be courteous to other participants, control your speed and warn others of your presence.
Accidents & injuries
Please look after each other, if you see someone in trouble please stop and help. Use the contact numbers provided on the ‘Belter Brief’ to seek help/advice. Failing this, use other participants to get a message to the nearest marshal who can call for help.
Litter – Do not drop litter while out on the course. You return to the event village several times where you can dispense with it.
Live roads – While on Bike Loop 2 you will travel along a section of potentially BUSY roads. These roads will be LIVE. Please obey the Highway Code and remain vigilant.
Teams – if you are entered as a team, you must stay within 50m of each other.
Kit
You don’t need much to have a belter of an adventure but here are some essentials:
Mandatory Kit (*1 denotes per team sufficient):
- Mountain Bike
- Bike Helmet
- BIKE BELL
- Suitable clothing for running & biking in for all weather conditions
- Whistle & space blanket *
- 1st Aid Kit*
- MOBILE PHONE*
Recommended Kit (*1 denotes per team sufficient):
- Trainers you don’t mind getting wet & muddy
- Bike Lock *
- Compass *
- Towel/spare clothes for afterwards, expect to get wet!
Note: We’ve added MOBILE PHONE to the mandatory kit list. This is to allow you contact us in case of emergencies, medical or otherwise, or if there are any issues on the course. Keep in mind that you may get wet while out on the course so we recommend you keep it in a waterproof bag.
Note: We’ve upgraded BIKE BELL to the mandatory kit list. On sections of the course some tracks will be used for the running & biking loops. We’ve added a bike bell as a safety measure so you can warn others you are on your way. If you do not have a bike bell please be courteous and let your fellow participants know you are coming by giving them a little shout.
If you are short of any of this on the day, the Rat Race Store will be onsite to help you get geared up. See later for more info on the latest deals and also their kit hire offerings.
You need no kit for kayaking – this is all provided (kayak, paddle and buoyancy aid).
Location
Bracknell Forest lies just SE of Bracknell. Access to the event will be at the Southern end of the forest from the town of Bagshot. When in Bagshot turn off the A30 on to Higgs Lane then right on to College Ride. Almost immediately turn left on to Vicarage Road which enters the forest. Follow the signs to the parking. Click here to view on a map
Parking
Parking may be tight here, especially if the weather is bad. Please car share where possible. Please note that competitors vehicles are not allowed to drive around the estate. The venue will have toilets and some marquee shelters, but please note that there are no changing or showering facilities or a water tap. There will be some drinking water available at the end of each loop and at the finish.
Registration
Registration The Registration will be open from 1000. Please come early to avoid queuing. Start list will be published at the registration. At the registration you will receive:
- Race number (Medial Form will be printed on the back of the Race Number. Please do not forget to fill it in)
- Safety pins
- Rat Race T-shirt (please note that there will be no fitting available, sizes will be on a display and will be give on first-come, first-served basis)
- Rat Race Buff
- ‘Belter Brief’ Info sheet
Make sure your race number is visible on you at all times during the event.
Rat Race Store
Rat Race Store will be on site for any kit advice, last minute bits n' bobs with a 2XU representative in attendance to give you the lowdown on their compression wear. Remember your Rat Race Reward £10 discount is only available online but we will be featuring these great offers at Bracknell:
- 20% off all Ron Hill
- 20% off 2XU compression wear
- 15% off all packs
- 15% off all shoes
- Half price on a selection of nutrition
- B.O.G.O.F on all Buffs
Bike Hire
If you do not own a bike you can still hire it from the Rat Race Store for £39 per bike. Hire includes - bike bell, helmet, bottle cage including complimentary 750ml Rat Race water bottle. If you sign up to Rat Race Store Newsletter you will receive 10% discount!
Facilities
Catering – There will be some catering on hand to get refuelled after a full day’s adventure. They will be serving toasted sandwiches, teas, coffee and other refreshments and snacks. There will be water available at the finish and there is a water tap on site.
Toilets – There will be toilets available at the event village only.
Camping – There is no camping allowed onsite at this event.
Crewing
We are still looking for more crew for this exciting event. Perhaps forward this newsletter to a friend that might like to help. Be entertained and do a sterling chunk of work for us on the course. Pre-event. During event. After event. Please email us at crew@ratraceadventure.com
Green Belter Team
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