Round 3 Spittal Beach

(Tweed Striders)

Sunday 3rd  December 2023

We at Tweed Striders look forward to welcoming you to our leg of the Borders XC at Spittal. In order to ensure the event goes as smoothly as possible for all (runners, spectators, volunteers, local residents), we would ask you to take some time to read these brief notes.

Important note to Parents and Coaches of Junior Athletes running in the Tweed Striders XC on Sunday

As a club affiliated to England Athletics, Tweed Striders is required to adhere to race distance guidance as determined by EA.  Recently updated guidance meant we have had to reduce the length of the junior race to 2,000m (from our previous 3,315m).  This means the course will no longer extend the full length of the beach.  Instead, the junior course will start at the usual place on the beach, go outwards for 1,000m, round a clearly indicated turning point, then back 1,000m to the finish.  I will give a race briefing to explain, we will have fully briefed marshals in place to ensure junior athletes stay on track but it would also be really helpful if parents and coaches could forewarn their child or children / their athletes of this change, so they do not expect to run right to the end as usual! 

Thank you for your co-operation.  Caroline McDermott (Head Coach and Race Organiser)

Car parking:

There is very limited parking at Spittal Point but ample parking in the car park on the left hand-side of Sandstell Road which is a very short distance from Spittal Point - it would be greatly appreciated if, where possible, parking at Spittal Point was left free for local residents and series organisers. There is also on-street parking in Spittal but, if parking on-street, please ensure you do not block driveways etc.

The junior race will start at 11.15 am and senior race at 12 noon. There will be a warning whistle 5 minutes before the start of each race and the athlete briefing for both will be on the beach at the start line just below the chimney. However, in the event of “the unexpected “, Tweed Striders reserve the right to amend race start times (and courses) as necessary. 

All going well, refreshments (tea, coffee, bacon / egg rolls) will be available to purchase from the Forte Bros’ catering van which will be sited at Spittal Point. There are public toilets further along the Prom, behind the arcade just after the Bowling Club. There are also public toilets in Berwick town centre (Eastern Lane and Woolmarket).

Course information:

Junior Race: the race will start as usual on Spittal Beach just below the chimney; the course then goes 1000m along the beach, round a turning point, then 1000m back to the finish below the chimney. This shortened course reflects updated guidance from England Athletics regarding maximum race distances specifically when under 11s are involved.

Senior Race: http://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_4434454.html

Finally, Tweed Striders have recently received the following instruction from England Athletics, and we would respectfully request that you take a minute to read:

“The following statement has been agreed with UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) to ensure all entrants to an event are both aware of their responsibilities and acknowledge awareness of the UKA anti-doping rules as a condition of entering a licensed governing body event. The request is that you add this statement to all your entry forms and online entry systems. This is to ensure that competitors sign up to fair competition. The statement is below:

‘An entrant shall be deemed to have made him/herself/their self, familiar with, and agreed to be bound by the UKA Anti-Doping Rules and to submit to the authority of UK Anti-Doping in the application and enforcement of the Anti-Doping Rules. 

The UKA Anti-Doping Rules apply to entrants participating in the sport of Athletics, for 12 months from 11 December 2022 whether or not the licence holder is a citizen of, or resident in, the UK.’”

Enjoy your run! And why not stay a while longer and visit the Berwick Christmas Market?