Cotswold Way Relay
Welcome to the organiser’s pages for the Cotswold Way Relay
On these pages you will find all the information required to get a team in place for the event. Information will be increased and updated towards race day.
THE EVENT
The Cotswold Way Relay is now in its 29th year. It works as 10 back-to-back races, Each stage has a mass start at the expected arrival time of the 1st runner from the previous stage.
The relay is over 90% off-road. Starting from Chipping Campden in the early morning, using the way-marked route of the Cotswold Way through to Bath in the early evening. It takes in many hills, woodlands, fields and tracks, all offering spectacular views of the countryside. We split the route into 10 stages, varying in ascent and length, to offer a differing flavour for each runner in the team. Apart from a few busy road crossings there are no marshals, or additional markers, so route finding is all part of the spirit of the event. In recent years the Cotswold Way Authority has considerably improved the signage, as part of its upgrade to National Trail status. The race route follows the National Trail except for a couple of well indicated changes made for safety reasons
We recommend that runners do a recce of their stage before the event. Most do, and find that doing a recce through the beautiful Cotswolds in the company of other runners is all part of the great pleasure derived from this event. You will certainly observe more of the views during the recce than in the race. You can take a chance and follow others but the risk of a wrong turn and loss of time on the day is high as the field of 100 soon stretches out
We welcome teams both from established clubs and formed just for the event. Experienced Team captains know that team logistics before and during the race are as important as speedy runners in experiencing a pleasant and successful event
There are three Aims this year
- To make the race safer than last year
Last year temperatures reached 30 degrees during the race and there were several runners who collapsed and two were hospitalised. In spite of strong advice there were still some runners, particularly at the front of the race, who ran without water.
This year it will be mandatory to carry a race water bottle or bladder. There will be water stations at half way and the end of each leg, which will dispense from large containers. There will be no disposable bottles handed out on route or at the end.
A runner who is witnessed by two members of the timing team to finish without a water container and no persuasive excuse will be awarded a cut off time penalty as per rule 23
This year we want to strengthen our volunteer participation. We ask every team entered to provide one volunteer. There are individual roles such as marshalling, or for clubs with three teams, group roles such as a water station or a road crossing.
One individual volunteer role will be Tail runner. We want to strengthen this system which was incomplete but useful last year. This year Tail runners will get credited with a cut off finish time towards King or Queen of the Cotswold Plaque
- To reduce waste
There will be no universal race memento such as T-shirts medals of cups. An event shirt (of a size you choose) will be merchandised via this website from May. Details will be posted on this web site.
- To fund raise for specific charitable purpose
£1 of each entry goes to the Cotswold way trail authority for upkeep. £5 of each entry fee will go to supporting talented young athletes within Team Bath AC and also to help Team Bath AC reach out to include wider community groups in athletics
The basic cost of the race has been reduced to £15 per head There will be prizes for winning individuals and teams as usual.
