Annual Events - Gatliff Marathon

	The Twenty Third GATLIFF MARATHON
Sunday 26th November 2006 - From Edenbridge, Kent 50kms, 35kms & 20 kms (31 miles, 22 miles & 12.5 miles) Organised by COPSE - Croydon's YHA Local Group
Location Plan - Start and Finish	Entry Form - for this year's Gatliff	2003 Results 2004 Results 2005 Results 2006 Results - Check out how you did
Hall of fame - Best times

BACKGROUND : On the 19th Jan 1934, 24 members of the YHA met above Cox's Café, Croydon to form Croydon YHA Group. Herbert Gatliff was one of the founder members. The first Gatliff Marathon was organised in 1984 as part of Croydon Group's 50th anniversary celebrations. Hence the distance.

ROUTE : The Gatliff has different routes each year through rural countryside using footpaths and tracks. There will be 50km, 35km and 20km options (31 miles, 22 miles and 12.5 miles) and a route description will be given to each entrant. The objective is to complete the distance within 10 hours.

CHECKPOINTS : There will be 5 Checkpoints on the 50km, 3 on the 35km and one on the 20km. Drinks and biscuits will be provided at all of them with tea, soup, sandwiches etc at the lunch stop (50km & 35km only). and light refreshments at the lunchstop

CERTIFICATES and results : Certificates will be awarded to those who have completed the full distance on foot within the time limit and have had their checkcard signed or punched at all the checkpoints on their route. A special certificate will be awarded to those who have successfully completed 10 (50km) Gatliff Marathons.
Results can be ordered at Edenbridge.

BAGGAGE & CAR PARKING : Bags may be left at owners' risk in the Pavillion. Parking is in the public car park in Edenbridge (GR 445 463). This is a 5 minutes walk from the start. Please do not park in the residential streets near the start, as this will undoubtedly cause annoyance to the residents.

ENTRY & COST : Entry fees are £ 6.00 for the 50km route, £ 5.50 for the 35km route and £ 4.50 for the 20km route

Completed entry forms should be sent to :-

Contact Tel: 020 87739600

Cheques should be made payable to "COPSE".
Entry on the day will be £ 2.00 extra.

REGISTRATION : Registration is at Sports Association Pavillion, Edenbridge, Kent (GR 441 459). This will be open from 6:30am. Entrants before the day will be sent their number in advance and to avoid delay, this should be brought to the start.

START : This will be from the Pavillion and in general, you can start when you like and will be timed from when you go. However, in order to make the manning of checkpoints possible, we recommend the following start times:-

Entrants should choose their start time carefully and for the 50km should perhaps allow extra time for lack of daylight.

Checkpoints are opened to accommodate the above start times and their closing times are shown in the Route Descriptions. You may be asked to retire if you arrive after the closing time.
Would "fast" runners, particularly on the 20km route please not start too soon as the checkpoints may not be open!

FINISH : This will also be at the Pavillion. A hot meal, tea and showering facilities will be available free of charge to all entrants. (N.B. Food at the finish will be served from 13:30 onwards.)

RESPONSIBILITY : Every effort has been made to avoid unsafe situations - to monitor whereabouts of entrants - to transport those retiring - and to generally assist. However, it must be emphasised that each person is ultimately responsible for themselves. In this connection, please see the notes on kit. If you have to retire, always do it at a checkpoint if possible, or at least phone Ednebridge to tell us what is going on (the number is given on the route descriptions).

KIT : A torch is essential for all participants doing the 50 km, as it will be dark until after 7:00am and maybe from 16:00 onwards.
Maps are not strictly necessary as detailed route instructions are issued. But, OS 187 and 188 cover the area. As grid references are quoted at each paragraph, note that maps could possibly enable lost persons to get back onto the route!
A compass, mapcase, warm clothing, sensible footware, waterproofs and some high energy food are also recommended. (Don't underestimate the risk of hypothemia with even something such as twisted ankle!)

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Page last updated 29th November 2006