Race Day Information Pack

2025 RACE INFORMATION

Crowmarsh Gifford School on Sunday 8th June 2025 (09:00 am)

Under England Athletic rules, Permit Number 29572

Thank you for your support of the 2025 Wallingford Thames Run. Please read the Race Information factsheet below for important details about the event. 

Should you have any further questions before the day, please email thamesruncommittee@gmail.com. On the day of the event, visit our registration desk located in the school hall for assistance.

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Thanks again and enjoy the run!

2025 Thames Run Committee  

Event Timetable & Race Start

Race Location

The full address is Crowmarsh Gifford School, Old Reading Road Crowmarsh Gifford Wallingford, OX10 8EN. Please see notes about parking below.

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Event Timetable

0730 Gates to Crowmarsh Gifford School open. Refreshments available.

0730 Race number collection and on-the-day registration opens in school hall. This will be signposted.

0730 Baggage drop opens.

0830 On the day entries close.

0830 Race Registration closes.

0840 Warm up starts.

0855 Race briefing.

0900 Race starts. Please line up in order of expected time. Please do not cross back through the finish to exit.

1020 Award ceremony in the playground. 

1030 Colour Run

1300 Car Park closes.  

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Race Start

Runners to assemble near the front of the school by 8:40 am for warm up, race briefing and to be called forward by Race Officials.  The fastest 10k runners (sub 40 mins) are encouraged to start near the front and slower runners (60 mins+) towards the rear. 5k runners will be asked to start at the rear of the field.   Your timing chip, supplied by Stuweb, will give your actual time. Unless you expect to finish at the front of the field, there is no need to start at the front. The race is due to start at 9.00am promptly. We may need to hold off on starting the race until the road is clear.  Please note immediately after the start you will be on a public road so be alert for traffic.

Parking & Transport

Car parking will be available from 7.30am and is available until 1pm at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology on Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, approximately 800m from the start/finish. There is plenty of space to park here. No parking will be permitted near the start/finish on Old Reading Road. This is to ensure that there is no obstruction to the route. Please do not park in the pub car park or local streets. Please note: parking at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology will close promptly at 1pm.

The Course & Runner Information

The Course:

The Thames Run is multi-terrain route along local footpaths and the banks of the River Thames, and back through the historic market town of Wallingford. For the 5k event, runners complete one circuit of the route and 10k runners must complete two circuits. Runners need to take care when approaching the finish area to ensure that they do not start a second lap (5k runners) or cross the finish line (10k runners). Marshals will be in place to guide runners onto the 5k finish or 10k second lap. We will do our best to make the run as free flowing as possible, however there are some narrower sections and the odd gate to navigate on the course. There are road crossings on each circuit within Wallingford Town. Please be considerate to pedestrians, motorists and other runners, and take care when crossing roads during the run. Please also pay attention to uneven surfaces and narrow paths.

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Runner Information  

All runners will be briefed by the Race Start Co-ordinator immediately prior to the race about potential hazards.

This includes: 

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  the need to keep to footpaths
  

• taking special care when crossing roads, the marshals are on the course to direct you and will not stop the traffic
  

• keeping clear of livestock
  

• being considerate to other runners and pedestrians when going through kissing gates and narrow sections
  

• ensuring you consume sufficient water
  

• not using mobile phones or music players whilst you run. PLEASE OBSERVE THIS RULE for your personal safety. Part of the route is on shared roads. Marshalls will stop any runners they see wearing earphones/headphones.
  

• If you feel unwell or do not want to complete the race, please inform the nearest marshal so that we can keep track of all runners.
  

• Please do not cross through the finish to exit the event or to spectate. Please use the side gate used to enter the event.
  
  

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Race Number:

Your race bib will contain your timing chip. Please make sure the number is visible on the front of your vest during the run. Please fill in the emergency contact information and medical details on the back of your number/bib. Please also remember to mark your bib with a red X if you do not want your photo taken.

General Route Safety and Marshalling:

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  The route is partly cross-country hence it is possible that some slips and trips may occur. However, the Organising Committee will endeavour to ensure that, as far as is reasonable, practicable significant hazards will be either be removed or marked accordingly.
  

• All significant route changes points will have at least one marshal to supplement signage.
  

• All marshals will be fully briefed prior to taking up their stations by the Volunteer Marshal Coordinator.  They have been instructed to bring a mobile phone and will have the number of the First Aid providers and Race Director. All marshals will be provided with, and will be expected to wear, yellow hi-vis bibs.
  

• Marshals will be provided with a leaflet detailing the route, their position on it, their duties and emergency contact numbers.
  

• Route marshals will remain at their stations until stood down by the “sweeper”.
  

• If you have any difficulties during the run, please contact a marshal.
  

• Marshal’s will show you which way to run but it is your responsibility to keep yourself safe.
  
  

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Be sun smart: 

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. If the sun is out, please take fluids on board before the race and wear a cap and some high-factor sun cream. Water will be available at the finish and at the water stop (just after the 5k marker on the 10k route). 

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Final checklist: 

Running shoes and socks, shorts, t-shirt/vest, sunscreen and safety pins. Plus a positive attitude! Also, don’t forget some money for post-run refreshments!

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Toilet and Changing Facilities

We regret that there are no changing facilities available. Toilets will be available, and possessions may be left in the baggage area strictly at your own risk. We will keep an eye on them for you but cannot guarantee their safety. Please present your race number to drop and collect baggage items. Toilets are positioned near to the start line. They will get busy just before the run starts, so please be patient!

First Aid

First Aid facilities will be available at the event. Please ensure any important medical information is detailed on the back of your race number.

Water

Water will be available at the finish and after 5k mark for those participating in the 10k.  Please stay hydrated.

Race Finish & Results

After crossing the finish line, please keep moving to the finish area where you will be presented with your race medal. Timing chips/race numbers do not need to be returned.  Provisional results will be available on the day (www.stuweb.co.uk), and, in due course, we hope to post them on our website.

Trophies to be awarded this year: 

10k - 1st, Open and Female

10k - 1st Open and Female Over 50

10k – 1st Open and Female Under 18

10k – 1st Team

5k - 1st, Open and Female

5k - 1st Open and Female Over 50

5k – 1st Open and Female Under 18

5k – 1st Team

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Feedback: 

We welcome feedback after the event – good or bad! Please send your comments to thamesruncommittee@gmail.com. Please also contact us if you'd like to help next year...

Refreshments and Attractions

This year, the school PTA will be providing bacon rolls, cakes and hot drinks. The school will also be running a colour dash for children following the main race. 

Condition of the course and race cancellation

The race route includes sections that run along the river bank or are close to the river. We cannot control the river level or the weather and will cancel the run if it is deemed unsafe. Should this occur, notification will be sent by email to your race entry email address. We regret that we cannot offer refunds if the race is cancelled due to extreme conditions, as we will have already incurred all our running costs. As we organise the race to support local charities, we ask for your understanding and support.

Photographer

We are excited to welcome the wonderful Evelyn Hargraves to our event. Photos can be viewed via https://www.evelynhargravesphotography.co.uk 

SPONSORS

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our main sponsor, Larkmead Vets plus our other sponsors: The Body Training Studio, Frizzell Wealth Management, In House Estate Agent, Refined Running and CWB Plastering and Building contractors. We are grateful for the support of Runwize and the Crowmarsh Parish Council.