Kent Spring Marathon & Half Marathon

Race Location
Sandyacres Sports Club, Sandyhurst Lane, Ashford, TN25 4PE

Race HQ
The Race HQ will be located at Sandyacres Sports Club and will be open from 07:30. Please follow signs from the car park.

Timings on race day
Race HQ & Registration opens: 07:30
Race Directors Briefing (at start line): 08:50
Marathon & HM starts: 09:00

Bag Drop
You are welcome to leave your bag at the unmanned baggage drop at Race HQ, however, this is done at your own risk and discretion. The team will not handle your bags and you will be responsible for labelling them clearly. 

Facilities
Unfortunately, there are no changing facilities available at this site so we recommend arriving ready to run!

Parking
We have arranged free car parking at a car park in Upper Pemberton Road, opposite NHS Trinity House (TN25 4AZ)
Please follow the parking marshal instructions and avoid parking in any areas of the car park that may be sectioned off. Please be aware that it is approximately a 10 minute walk to the Race HQ and start.

The car park will be open between 07:30 - 16:00. Once parked, please follow the signs to Race HQ. We will have marshals on site to help direct you. 

THERE IS STRICTLY NO PARKING AT SANDYACRES, RACE HQ, SANDYHURST LANE OR BRAKES CAR PARK.

Toilets
There will be toilets available at Race HQ. Please note, there will be no event toilets available on the course.

Headphones
Only bone conducting headphones are permitted at this event.

The start & finish
Both distances start and finish in the same location, at Sandyacres Sports Club.

About the course
The Kent Spring Marathon & Half Marathon course is an undulating, road course which follows the roads surrounding Ashford, Westwell and Charing. The route has a couple of short, sharp inclines but otherwise fairly even, allowing for good pace. There is a section along the Pilgrims Way which is hard track from circa mile 4 and lasts for approximately one mile. Please take care to watch your footing.

Marathon runners will complete two laps and the half marathon will complete one lap. The final 1.5k of the race is downhill so fast finishes are guaranteed.

An important note regarding traffic
Please be aware that the route will not be closed to other users. The course will remain open to traffic and you should be ready for this. Please keep this in mind whilst you run, ensuring that you race with care and remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

Recommended Kit & Footwear
We recommend road shoes for this race. We would advise that you keep a close eye on the forecast and come prepared to dress appropriately with a spare change of clothes kept handy (incl. socks!), just in case!

Litter
Please do NOT drop litter. Bins will be provided, so please dispose of any litter correctly or take it home with you.

Water Stations
As well as water stations at the finish, there will be four aid stations on the course, one located at mile 2, then mile 5, 8 & 11. Marathon runners will pass each of these water stations twice due to their course being two laps. Aid stations will carry a mix of water, sugary drinks and snacks.

Please note, if you have used a specific brand of energy gel or supplement in your training, then we would recommend that you do not change your routine and bring these with you. Whilst we will ensure that our water stations are well supplied, runners should ensure that they are fully hydrated and also consider carrying their own water.

Going Green
To help reduce the carbon footprint of this race, we would like to encourage all our runners to bring their own camel packs or reusable cups for this race. Our teams at the water stations will be happy to fill any receptacle that you might bring with you so that you stay hydrated and racing fit! If you are able to car share, then this would be wonderful!

Your route & marshals...
Your course will be clearly marked using large route arrows and directional cones, as well as being marshalled throughout. Please listen and obey all marshal instructions given. There will be a sweep marshal which will follow the last runner to make sure that no one is left on the route. All marshals will remain in place until stood down by the sweep marshal.

Spectators
We always welcome anyone that would like to cheer on our runners and join the good spirit of the race by lending their encouragement and support. Spectators will find great vantage points from which to watch the race within the finish area. Please be aware that there are limited pavements on the course so it would be better to watch within the finish area, Westwell and along Sandyhurst Lane. Please don't park along Sandyhurst Lane.

Medals & Prizes
There will be a bespoke medal awarded to all finishers and prizes as stated on the website. Weather permitting, the presentation will take place approximately 45 - 60 minutes after the first runner has crossed the finish line and when all the prize winners have arrived home.

Please listen for announcements from your Race Director.

Results
Live and provisional results will be available on the Nice Work website asap after the race. If you have any questions regarding the live results, please ensure that you have emailed this through to us by midday on the following Thursday. Any changes submitted after this time will not be included in the final results.