The Cotswold Way Relay is operated as 10 back-to-back races, starting each stage with a mass start at the expected arrival time of the 1st runner from the previous stage. The date of the race is planned to follow the easing of Covid 19 restrictions. However, England Athletics and Government regulations can change. Therefore this Assessment will be for a COVID secure race procedure
Starting from Chipping Campden in the early morning, through to the arrival at Bath Abbey in the early evening, using the way-marked route of the Cotswold Way as our route, the relay is over 90% off-road, taking in hills, woodlands, fields and tracks.
The route is split up into 10 varied stages, varying in ascent and length, with few or no marshals on the route, so route finding is down to the individual runner. Recce running is often undertaken by runners before the event, often as club runs. In recent years, the Cotswold Way Authority has considerably improved the signage on route, as part of its upgrade to National Trail status, but there’s always one or two who miss a sign so take in a detour from the main route. The race route follows the National Trail precisely, with the exception of the end of Stage 7 into Wotton-under-Edge, where the High St is avoided to minimise runner-public interaction.
| Date of Assessment | March 2021 | Assessors Name | Tom Hutchison |
| Location | Cotswold way and surrounds | Review Date | June 2021 (before race) |
Team Bath Athletic Club aim to register the race with the Trail Running Association and, in conjunction with Membership of UK Athletics, this includes Third Party Liability Insurance cover. (Details available on request)
| Index No: | Description of the
task/ activity |
Identify the Hazard & Reasonably Foreseeable Worse Case Injury (RFWCI) |
Identify who is at risk | Details of existing controls & factors affecting the likelihood of an accident occurring | Any additional actions to be taken? |
| 1 | Running or traversing the route | Runners straying from the route/ getting lost.
Spectators getting lost. RFWCI = Distress |
All individuals running each section of the course for the duration of the race.
Any others involved in setting up the race and spectators/ supporters. |
The course is way-marked with permanent signs, and online maps have been made available prior to the race starting (showing the route and immediate surrounding areas).
Runners must take mobile phones with them, and have someone to check they have returned. Runners register at the start and end of each stage. Maps will be available to the organisers and online (race website). |
There will be a running sweeper on every leg carrying first aid kit
Runners must inform a marshal /sweeper or race organiser if they drop out of the race. Links to commercial Maps will be in the race instructions |
| 2 | Participation in the run | Due to the nature of the event, runners may sustain any number of common injuries associated with this type of activity.
RFWCI = Fractures, sprains, strains, pulled muscles, dehydration. Also potential: Aggravation of a pre-existing medical condition e.g. Asthma |
All individuals running the course for the duration of the race and limited period post run. | Runners advised to allow plenty of time to park, register and warm up.
Runners need to assume self-sufficiency and carry enough fluids to complete their leg safely. There may be water at mid way stations but this cannot be relied on Water will be available at the finish Runners are required to write details of any medical conditions (and include next of kin/ emergency contact details) on the reverse of their race number. Information available online, pre-event, informing runners of the nature of the run, the route being taken, the difficulty level of the run and the need for runners to be fit enough to participate. |
There will be a mandatory kit list
Water bottle or bladder with at least 350 mls fluid 500 Kcal food Mobile phone Whistle Waterproof top Hat Trail grip shoes Spot checks on Runners mandatory kit before the start. 5 minute time penalty if items are missing Include all runner information on website, in pre-race information and at briefing. |
| 3 | Interaction with traffic or members of the public | Runners being struck by or running into vehicles, or other persons not participating in the event e.g. spectators.
RFWCI = Broken limb/ fractures. |
All persons running the course for the duration of the race, and at the start and finish of each stage. | The majority of route is off-road and away from road traffic.
The High Street at the end of Stage 7 into Wotton-under-Edge will be avoided (marshall posted). Runners are expected to be responsible if needing to cross road, or run along road sections. If running along the road, runners should keep to the pavement where possible, and in accordance with the Highway Code if no pavement. Marshals in hi-vis will be stationed at the start and end points of each stage, and at specific crossing points. Runners will be instructed to obey the instructions of marshals or face disqualification Temporary warning signs (for duration of race) will be erected to warn runners and traffic of potential interaction points. These will also be at the start and finish of each stage. Runners and spectators must respect other users of the Cotswold Way, which remains open to the public during the race. The Cotswold Way Trail Officer has been informed that the event is taking place, and the race is publicly registered on the Association website calendar of events |
Safety briefing to runners prior to start of each stage.
Safety briefing to marshals prior to event starting. Stage by stage list of road crossings and measures to promote safety at each one ( see appendix) Runners instructed to not wear headphones |
| 4 | Covid arrangements | Person to person covid transmission | Those not yet immunised | Follow the government and EA recommendations on race day. Masks worn before the start of the race. Race start will be extended and staggered. Timing technology will make mass start unnecessary
Limit time at the start and finish areas No mass prize giving |
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| 5 | Medical Arrangements | Untreated injuries and or illness due to inadequate medical provision available to the event.
RFWCI = Increased severity of injuries or deterioration of condition owing to immediate medical care not being available whilst awaiting arrival of emergency ambulance |
Runners, marshals, spectators and members of the public. | A static first aid station will be available at the race finish in Bath
Marshals will have mobile phones and be able to contact the emergency services and/ or race officials for help if required. It will be mandatory to carry a mobile phone with an emergency contact number which will be available for the duration of the event. Runners will be instructed to offer assistance to any other runner in distress. Suitable timing adjustments will be made |
Race Sweeper will be first aid trained and carry a first aid kit and mobile phone.
Limited first aid will be available at each of the start/ finish points, with a first aid kit and marshal trained in first aid? Find out where local defibrillators are located and include information in marshal briefing (specific info for each stage) |
| 6 | Ground conditions | Slips trips, falls, and uneven/ changing ground conditions.
Slippery ground conditions due to wet/adverse weather conditions. RFWCI = Fall resulting in bruising/ broken limb |
Runners, marshals. | Runners are briefed about the conditions underfoot before the start of each race stage
Runners and marshals are expected to wear suitable footwear for the terrain. Runners should walk if coming across a hazard e.g., fallen tree, badger hole, etc., and inform other runners of the hazard. During adverse weather, ground conditions may deteriorate and become extremely slippery, or areas may flood. The race officials will monitor the ground conditions and make a dynamic assessment of the need for any further controls/ cancellation of the event as appropriate. |
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| 7 | Adverse weather conditions | Thermal discomfort due to extremes of temperature and/ or wet weather. RFWCI = Hyperthermia/ hypothermia. Includes heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, etc. Secondary effects from adverse weather including: mud, thunder and lightning, fog, etc., may result in the need to dynamically assess the controls laid out within this assessment. |
Runners, marshals, spectators. | Runners and marshals are advised to wear clothing appropriate to weather conditions, e.g., waterproof jacket if heavy rain.
Runners are expected to be self-sufficient and plan the equipment, clothing and nutritional supplies for the weather and course. Include in pre-race information/ on website, and in runner briefing. In hot weather conditions individuals will be advised to apply sun block, wear a hat, take frequent breaks in a cool sheltered area to avoid heat stroke and to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Extreme weather conditions to be monitored by the race officials. |
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| 8 | Contact with animals | Interaction between runners and animals e.g., dogs, livestock, wildlife
RFWCI = Bite or blunt trauma (kick, head butt etc) cuts and bruises, broken limb. |
Runners, marshals, spectators | Individuals coming into contact with any animals should walk calmly past the animal and make no attempt to interact with the animal in any way. Remember animals can become startled and behave in an unpredictable manner.
Dogs are not permitted to take part in the race with the runners. |
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| 9 | Natural occurring hazards, trees, etc. | Slip, trip or fall as a result of contact with the hazard.
RFWCI = Cuts and bruises, broken limb. |
Runners, marshals, spectators. | The route will be surveyed pre-event by TBAC runners making race recce. Reported hazards will be included in the race stage briefing. | |
| 10 | Marshalling the event and/ or carrying out official race duties. | Conflict between marshals/ race officials and runners and or spectators/ members of the public.
Lone working; having an accident or illness RFWCI = Physical assault resulting in injured party requiring medical treatment and removal from duty. Increased severity of injuries or deterioration of condition due to immediate help not being available. |
Marshals | Marshals to be posted at various points around the course. They will all have a mobile phone and emergency contact number with them.
High visibility vests will be provided as well as specific marshalling instructions including emergency procedures and contact numbers, maps of the route and their marshal position/s, and how to inform the ambulance service (if required) how to find their exact location (e.g, GPS coordinates). Marshals should ensure they have a charged mobile phone with them. |
Marshals will remain in place until the race sweeper passes. There will be a cut off pace (12 minutes /mile ) which will be run by the race sweeper. Any runner who falls behind the sweeper will be awarded a cut off time and instructed to leave the race at the next convenient point and also to contact their race captain
Have a “marshal pack” of items for each marshal, e.g., large water bottle, list of contact details and what to do in an emergency, map of their marshalling point, small first aid kit, food. Inexperienced marshals should be accompanied by experienced marshals where possible. |
| 11 | Official cars, driving | Road traffic collision, or collision with pedestrian.
RFWCI = Damage to vehicles, Injury to pedestrians. |
Race officials/ marshals | Official cars will be marked as such.
Drivers will be presumed to have a valid UK driving licence and vehicle insurance. |
Only official cars will be allowed into the marked off areas of race stage start and finish (arriving early to minimise contact with crowds of pedestrians). |
