Wilmslow Festive 10K Race Day Information

RACE START INFORMATION

 The race starts in the town centre of Wilmslow opposite Hoopers.

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW START TIME OF 9:15AM
 
Wheelchair race start time: 9:10am
Main race start time: 9:15am

Please make sure you are prepared, warmed up and on the start line by 9:05am to catch the important pre-race briefing.
 
RACE HQ

Run North West
2 St Ann's Parade
Wilmslow
SK9 1HG

This year's race HQ will be spread across 2 locations (only 100m's apart):

WILMSLOW LEISURE CENTRE (NUMBER COLLECTION, TOILETS & BAG DROP)
RNW RETAIL STORE (T-SHIRT PICK-UP)

Please ensure you head down to the start line in plenty of time, the start is approximately 200m's from Race HQ. The start area is very large and there will be signs and pacers with predicted finishing times directing you to where it is most appropriate for you to stand. Please ensure you are stood in the area that is most realistic to your expected finish time.  If you are stood in an area which is too fast or slow for your ability this could affect your race experience.

FINISH
The finish is on Mobberley Road/Sandy lane (Wilmslow).  The finish is just over a mile away from the start line/Race HQ.  To minimise overcrowding, we advise spectators not to come to the finish area, as the area gets very congested and busy with runners.  As it is a mile from the start, we would be very grateful if you would consider asking friends and family to wait in comfort in Wilmslow or Hickories (see below).

Approximately 400m's from the finish is the large carpark of Hickorys/Premier Inn and this is a good meeting place where you will also find refreshments.  Hickory's Smokehouse will be open from 10:30am (booking advisable).  There will also be a coffee van at the same location.

Please keep moving once you have crossed the finish line.  Do not stay in the finish funnel as this needs to be kept clear for those who will be continuing to cross the finish line.

At the finish you will be rewarded with your Run North West finishers medal, water and snack bar.  Please note it is approximately a 1 mile walk or jog back to Wilmslow Town Centre.  If the temperature is particularly cold, foil blankets will be available at the finish should you require one.

COURSE

The course offers a town centre start with the fantastic atmosphere you would expect in a town centre, passing through the leafy residential streets of Wilmslow followed by the perfect mix of flat running and countryside scenery. The lightening quick first 5K sets you up perfectly for a personal best attempt. Save some strength for just one small hill within the 8th kilometre!

This race is on fully closed roads. The course has been measured and is certified to be an accurate 10K course | course number 18/563

TRAVEL TO THE RACE

Bike

There is bike storage areas at Wilmslow Leisure Centre and around Wilmslow Town Centre.

Public Transport

The nearest train station to the start line is Wilmslow: over the road from Race HQ and 0.3 miles from the start line.

Car & Parking Facilities

Where possible please car share and please arrive early to avoid any road closures and congestion.

We will have car park marshals around the town centre who are connected by radio and will direct you to the carparks.  Please follow their instruction to avoid congestion.  It is important that you follow race day parking signage and marshal instruction when approaching Wilmslow, rather than your sat nav.

A big thank you to Emerson Group who have let us use their car parks.  We have a combination of public and private car parking facilities, and all are free of charge to race participants.  Please note that all single yellow line on street parking is available on a Sunday adding additional options for parking in and around Wilmslow Town Centre. 

In the unlikely event that we completely fill all of our carparks then you will be directed to on street parking.  Please park considerately of local residents access needs.

Please note that if you are parking in Spring Street Carpark this carpark will close at 12:30 (this is an automatic barrier that cannot be re-opened until Monday morning).  Should you wish to remain in Wilmslow there will be plenty of parking available after this time.

There is also plenty of parking close to the finish area.  Parking here will mean you won't get caught in any town centre congestion before the start of the race and you would be near your car when you finished.  We suggest Kings Road and Gorsey Road and the other roads near there.  Please park respectfully of residents.

NUMBER COLLECTION

*If you are unable to make it into store, you can still pick up on the morning of race day from our Race HQ (Leisure Centre) from 7:15am.
 
TRANSFERS
If you are no longer able to join us on race day, you have the following 2 free of charge options:

1) You can transfer your race place to another person.
2) You can transfer to our virtual race option and run the race in your own time up to a month after race day to earn your unique collectable medal!
To make one of the above changes simply click BOOK NOW on our website at the top of the Wilmslow Festive event page which will take you to the Nifty Entries page. Then click 'Transfer Entry' and follow the instructions.
As per our entry terms and conditions, we do not offer transfers to another event or refunds.

BAGGAGE
Please leave your baggage in your car where possible.  However, if needed we do have an on-site baggage drop at Wilmslow Leisure Centre (please see map for exact location).

FINISHER MEDAL & PRE-ORDERED LONG SLEEVED RON HILL TECHNICAL FINISHERS T-SHIRT
All runners will receive our iconic festive Run North West Medal.  T-Shirts that have been pre-ordered will be available for pick up on the day, before or after the event.  Please go to our RACE HQ to collect this.  If you are unsure if you have ordered one you can check via the start list (link at the top). 

If you haven't already pre-ordered there may be an option to purchase on the day after the 10K has finished and we can calculate if we have any extras.  Please check with our retail store on race day.

NUMBERS
Numbers must be attached to the front of your vest, please do not fold/cut/deface it in anyway. The timing chip is attached to the back of your number and is detected when you cross the start and the finish. Please do not run around the outside of the mat area or your time will not be recorded.
 
Please also take the time to fill in your emergency contact details on the reverse of the number prior to running, in the unfortunate event of an emergency, these can help medics to treat you swiftly and appropriately.
 
Please DO NOT run in someone else’s number as it is against UKA rules, it can cause problems with the results and could also cause a lot of distress should there be an incident and the wrong family are contacted. 
 
TOILETS
There will be ample portable toilets facilities across the road from Race HQ at the Leisure Centre and limited toilets inside the leisure centre for race participant use.
 

FOOD AND DRINK
There are many food and drink venues in Wilmslow Town Centre who will be open and welcoming runners and spectators on race day for pre and post race refreshments.

Hickory's Smokehouse, located near the finish, will be open from 10.30am (booking advisable) and a Coffee Van will be available in Hickory's carpark for hot drinks and cakes.  We will have portaloos in Hickories car park as well as at the finish.

PACERS
We have our unique offering of pacers every 2.5 minutes from 35 minutes through to 70 minutes plus 75 & 80 minutes, offering the opportunity to chase down even more PBs!

MUSIC PLAYERS/HEADPHONES
We strongly advise against the use of personal music players or headphones during the race, as this can restrict your ability to hear safety instructions from marshals or unexpected events.

MEDICAL SERVICES
First aid is situated at various points along the course. Should you feel unwell during the race please let your nearest marshal know so we can arrange for medics to get to you as soon as possible. If you come across anyone injured or in distress, please report it to the nearest marshal who will be in contact with our event team and our first aid providers. First aid is also available at the start and finish areas.

ECO WATER 🌍🥤
In a conscious effort to reduce our carbon footprint and do our bit for the planet, we have a bring your own water bottle (pre-filled) to be dropped off at Race HQ and the bottles will be waiting for you at the finish line. Completely optional, but every person who brings their own bottle of water is helping to save the planet one small step at a time.

Bottled water will be provided, as usual, for anyone who doesn’t bring their own. We do use a responsible supplier for our water (as well as being ZERO to landfill), their bottles are made out of recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable. Water will be available at the half-way point of the race and at the finish line.

Its important that you either hand your empty bottles back to us before you leave the finish area or take the bottle home with you to recycle.

If you'd like to view our environmental policy please click here.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Our race day pictures will be free to download and will be linked to your results. You can also use the new photo recognition technology to find your pictures.
 
As soon as the pictures are available, we will post an update on our social media pages and there will be a link on our WILMSLOW FESTIVE EVENT PAGE.  Do bear with us as there will be lots to edit but they are usually available the evening after the race.
 
RESULTS
Timing and results will be available on the WILMSLOW FESTIVE EVENT PAGE as soon as possible after the race has finished.  If you entered your mobile number into your entry details you should receive a text as you cross the finish line.
 
After the results are published, if you spot any issues or errors please contact Nifty Entries our results provider by clicking on the 'query a result' button,  or contact run@runnorthwest.co.uk where we will put you in touch with Nifty Entries.

PRIZES
Top 5 Male, Female and Wheelchair Prizes:

1st - £150 / 2nd - £100 / 3rd - £75 / 4th - £60 / 5th - £40.

Presentations will take place straight after the race for top 5 male, female and wheelchair finishers based on gun times.  Vet prizes will be sent out in the post and based on chip times.

All prizes are equal for male and females, they will be awarded to the top 5 finishers as well as the first Vet in all age groups from V35 to V85+ in 5-year increments plus the first U20 (one prize per individual, male and female). 

WILMSLOW FESTIVE 2024 DEAL!
Keep your eyes peeled for an extra special deal for the Wilmslow Festive 2024, which will be held on Sunday 24th November. This will launch at 11am on race day for 48 hours so make sure you take advantage of this absolutely fantastic deal!

VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to our volunteers who are giving up their free time to come and help us on race day.  Please give them a smile or thank you when you see them!  If you would like to volunteer at one of our events please email run@runnorthwest.co.uk.

OFFICIAL RACE CHARITY PARNTERS

We will be collecting donations for Mission Christmas.

Cash for Kids Mission Christmas aims to make Christmas Day different for children and young people living in poverty across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. For so many families in our community, Christmas is a luxury they simply can’t afford.

But by collecting and distributing gifts and cash donations, Mission Christmas can make sure that local disadvantaged children have a gift to open on Christmas morning. They provide support through community organisations, social workers, schools and emergency services to ensure that help is given to those who need it most at this crucial time of year.

They currently have registered 36,967 children that are in need of donations so any help you can give is greatly appreciated.