Start: Finish: - Birmingham Black Country Half Marathon

Start:
The Canals and Rivers Trust Boat Yard, Broad Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1JA
Finish:
Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2JB
This booklet contains important race information, please read carefully.
Welcome to the Birmingham Black Country Half
Marathon 2016 – Our 9th year.
The Birmingham Black Country Half Marathon offers runners a unique racing experience, the point to point
style event starts in Wolverhampton and follows a gently undulating traffic free route via canal towpaths
to Birmingham City Centre. Since its start in 2007 the race has been gradually growing and now attracts
over 1000 runners each year.
We hope you enjoy the event
David, Stuart and Phil
Time Table*
Time
08:00 – 12:30
08:40
08:50
09:10
09:25
09:35
09:40
09:55
10:10
10:25
10:40
10:55
11:10
11:25
11:40
11:55
12:10
15:30
Activity
Registration/Information Desk Opens
Wave A – Male Elite
Wave B – Female Elite
Wave C
Wave D
Wave E
Wave F
Wave G
Wave H
Wave I
Wave J
Wave K
Wave L
Wave M
Wave N
Wave O
Wave P
Race cut-off
Prizes
Category
1 overall male/female
2nd overall male/female
3rd overall male/female
1st male/female in each 10 year age category
S20, S30, V40, V50, V60
st
Prize
£250
£125
£75
£25 Up + Running Voucher
Age category prizes will be posted out after the race. All athletes will receive a finisher’s medal and goody
bag.
*subject to change
Race Information
Race numbers / timing chips
Race numbers and baggage tag will be sent out 1 to 2 weeks before the race. If you have not received your
race number by June 29th please contact us. If you enter the race in the final week 27 th June – 1st July you
will not receive a race pack in the post, you will need to collect your race pack from registration on race
day. Please write your personal details on the back of your race number. Please note:- in an effort to
conserve the environment this race booklet will not be printed.
Amendments of entry details
Competitors must notify the organisers of any changes to their entry details before the start of the event,
no corrections will be made after the event. Contact us via email ([email protected]) or phone our office on
01384 569519
Withdrawing during race
If you decide to withdraw from the event before the finish please make your way to the nearest marshal
who will direct you to the nearest meeting point. We will be running collections from the meeting points
for the duration of the race.
Refunds and transfer policy
Before entering please read our Terms and Conditions
We do not issue refunds under any circumstances; transfers can be agreed if made in line with our terms
and conditions.
Headphones
Due to the nature of the course (close proximity to water, narrow towpaths, dark tunnels) we insist that all
athletes must be able to hear instructions from marshals or other runners, otherwise it creates a risk for
you, other competitors and other path users. For this reason we strongly recommend that runners do not
wear headphones.
Staying over
There are various hotels around Wolverhampton which you can stay at the night before. These can be
found using various internet search engines and hotel searching sites. Ensure that you book in advance.
There are an abundance of hotels in Birmingham also, which you would then need to catch public
transport to get the start venue.
Weather
Please check the weather forecast prior to the event. If it rains the course will consist of muddy puddles
and some slippy areas so please do take care. If the weather is likely to be hot ensure that sun cream is
used and sufficient hydration supplies are consumed.
Getting to the venue
The race is set in a point to point format, as such your start and finish venues are 13.1miles apart. Both
venues are highly accessible via public transport, the start line is a 3 minute walk from Wolverhampton
Railway Station and will be signposted on race day and the finish line is a 10 minute walk from Birmingham
New Street or Birmingham Snow Hill Railway Stations, all stations have excellent national and local
connections and we recommend arriving via public transport if possible. If you decide to drive you will
need to park close to the start or the finish then use trains or trams to transport yourself back to your car.
There are regular trains between Birmingham and Wolverhampton; please visit National Rail for tickets
and prices, alternatively the Metro runs every 10 minutes between the two cities. Please note that if you
do decide to drive you will need to pay for parking in Wolverhampton or Birmingham.
Car park locations by the start.
Please note there is no car parking at the start
Arrival times
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If you have received your race pack please do not arrive earlier than 45 minutes before your
assigned wave
If you have registered but not received your race pack please arrive at least 45 minutes before your
assigned wave
If you are entering on the day please arrive after 10:00 and we will fit you into one of the later
waves.
Registration and Information Desk
This desk will be open from 08:00 until 12:30 for any enquiries and registrations. If you have already
received your race pack in the post there is no need for you to visit the registration desk on race day unless
you have a query. If you have registered and not received your race pack please visit the desk at least 30
minutes before your wave time, you will need to bring your confirmation email and a form of ID so that we
can issue you with your race number and baggage tag. If you are looking to enter on the day you will be
asked to fill in a late entry form and pay £25 cash on the day entry fee after which you will be issued with
your number and baggage tag, please note that on the day entries will only be put into waves from 10:30
onwards.
Baggage Drop
The baggage drop will be located at the start venue close to the registration desk. There is a tear-off label
attached to your race number which can be fixed to any bag that you wish to leave. The bags will then be
transported to the finish line at Brindley Place. Please note we can only allow one bag per competitor. If
you require additional items transporting e.g. bike there will be an additional £5 surcharge.
Wave starts
Due to the nature of the course runners will start in waves of up to 150. You will be assigned to a wave
based on your predicted finish time, this is for safety reasons so that runners of similar abilities are running
together and it reduces the need to overtake on narrow canal towpaths. You must start in your assigned
wave; you will not be allowed to start in an earlier wave. A start list including race number will be
published on the website 4 weeks before the race and will be then updated on a weekly basis to include
new entries. The start is a short walk from the registration area, your wave number will be called
approximately 10 minutes before your allotted time, and you will then be walked to the start area by a
member of staff.
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Please note that if you enter the race after June 27th you will not be allocated a wave time based
on your estimated finish time – you will be allocated to one of the later waves after 11:30.
If you wish to change your wave you have until June 22nd to request it, requests after June 22nd
will not be granted.
If you wish to be placed in a wave with a friend please use the same MAGIC WORD then we will
place you in the same wave based on the predicted finish time of the slowest runner – please
make sure your magic word is unique.
Elite athletes
Due to the time trial format of the race we ask that any athlete that believes they may place in the overall
rankings of the event (1st/2nd/3rd) to start in the elite waves. These would be male athletes with an
estimated finish time of under 01:25:00 or females with a time of 01:50:00. Remember that if you are not
in the elite wave you cannot win a prize even if you have a faster time.
The male elites ready for the 2015 event
The female elites ready for the 2015 event
The course
The route takes runners from Wolverhampton to Birmingham along canal tow-paths. The surface of the
tow-paths vary along the course from gravel, to grass/trail to paved so please wear appropriate footwear
for multi - terrains. The route is a public right of way and therefore open to other users, please be
courteous and considerate to anyone you encounter. The towpath is quite narrow in places so please run
in single file away from the canal, if you need to overtake simply shout a friendly warning and overtake on
canal side, if someone asks to pass you please move away from the canal to allow them to overtake. Please
remember that the runner you are passing will be focused on their own race so you may need to call a few
times, it is up to you to choose appropriate passing places. The course will have marshals at every mile,
clear directional signs and mile markers.
Tunnel
Just after 4 miles you will meet the Coseley Tunnel, it is 329m long and it does get quite dark...The ground
is slightly uneven but there is a handrail throughout to use. We light the tunnel as best we can but given its
nature and location it does present a logistical challenge. If you are at all worried please bring along a hand
or head torch, remember it will also be a lot lighter if you lift your shades up! Please do not try to overtake
in the tunnel
Drink stations
Drinks stations will be at located at 3 mile intervals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 miles. Each drink station will offer
water and electrolyte in cups. Littering will not be tolerated – runners must dispose of waste in the bins
provided or leave it with a marshal.
The Finish
The finish is located in Brindley Place. The finish line itself is on the canal towpath round a slight bend;
please look out for the 200m/100m to go signage! The finish line is quite restricted so we do ask people to
keep moving through it. After finishing follow the signage to collect your medal, goody bag and baggage
from the Malt House pub, refreshments will also be available at the finish.
Chip timing and results
Your race number has your timing chip embedded in it. No number = no chip = no time. Please do not cut
or fold your number in anyway and wear it pinned to the front of your top. Your results will be based on
your ‘chip time’ which is the time you cross the start line to the time you cross the finish line. Your results
will be available immediately at the finish and will be posted online within 24 hours of the race. Look for
the gazebo in the corner of the area where the finish line is.
Prize giving
Due to the time trial format of the race there will be no official prize giving, overall prizes will be handed
out as soon as winners cross the line and age category prizes will be posted out the following week.
Facilities
Start
There will be toilets, water and energy gels available for competitors but no changing facilities so please
come prepared. There is a baggage drop off, which will be transferred to the finish line for you to collect at
the end of your race. Your race number will have a detachable strip at the bottom for you to attach to your
bag with your number on, so you know and we know whose bag is whose.
Finish
After collecting your medal and water at the finish line the baggage collection point is situated on the Malt
House car park just a 2 minute stroll over the canal. There you will find your bag, goody bags, and toilets.
At present we DO NOT have any shower facilities confirmed. We are working hard to get this rectified.
There are plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants near the finish which will be happy to provide you with a
well earned beer!
First Aid
First aid services will be provided by Immediate Medical Care. They will have staff positioned throughout
the course and at the finish line. If you have an issue on the course please alert the nearest marshal and
they will alert the medical team.
Spectators
Spectators are very welcome to come and watch this event. There are several spots along the course which
are particularly suitable, The Barge and Barrel pub in Tipton provides a good venue from which to cheer
and there are plenty of viewpoints near the finish line. We ask that spectators do not crowd the towpaths
or bridges on the route as this causes more congestion for the competitors.
Photography
Photographers will be present both on the course and at the finish line; photographs will be published
online via Stuweb. If you have any photos of the day please do share them with us on our facebook page,
twitter (@BBC_HM) and Instagram (BBC_HM) accounts.
Volunteers
As with any race, volunteers are key in making the event successful. It is the event team and volunteers
that are responsible for creating the event venues, preparing the course, greeting you at registrations,
encouraging you during the race and celebrating with you at the finish. Basically without volunteers the
event simply wouldn’t happen, so where possible please thank the marshals and make them feel
appreciated.
Become a volunteer
There are many ways to get involved with volunteering at The Birmingham Black Country Half Marathon.
We require help with the following sections:
 Registration
 Marshal
 Drink Station
 Finish Area
If you are interested please drop an email to [email protected]
Finally
Thank you for taking the time to read this information, we look forward to welcoming all athletes,
spectators and supporters to the 2016 Birmingham Black Country Half Marathon. We very much hope that
you enjoy your experience racing with us and good luck.
David, Stuart and Phil.