NESS XC – 26 January 2025

15 January 2025 - By Jodee Mayer

Please see below details of the next NESS XC race as provided by Harwich Runners.

A couple of points to highlight:

1. The venue is strictly no dogs – including in the car park /  being left in cars and you will be turned away if you have a dog in your car.

2. Please car share – I recall in particular the parking being a bit tight at the Equestrian Centre and this year there is less parking available so if you can share please do!

3. Harwich have confirmed spikes are suitable.

For our newer runners, cross country is FOR EVERYONE! And there will be CAKE! More info is available here and we have a lot of XC runners at the club so do just reach out.

Any queries, let me know.

Date: Sunday 26th January 2025

Tine: Senior race is at 10.45 – we will do a  team photo at about 10.35 to then allow people to warm up

Location	Wix Equestrian Centre, Clay Hall/Clacton Rd, Manningtree CO11 2RU.
Special notes	Due to the nature of the venue as working farmland there are a few important considerations. Please observe these rules and respect this private facility, thank you. • STRICTLY NO DOGS on any part of the venue. • NO ACCESS before race day. It will not be possible for any pre-race recces. • NO RUBBISH to be discarded. Please take rubbish home with you or use bins provided. • CAR SHARE – Parking is even more limited than previous years. Please car share where possible. • HEAVY, SOFT and WET under foot on arable farmland and long grass. Spikes are suitable.
Parking	Please follow the marshals’ instructions on arrival at the Equestrian Centre. The Carpark closes at 13:00 prompt. Don’t wander off and risk getting locked in. 😊
Toilets and Amenities	Chemical toilets will be available in the carpark. There are no changing or shower facilities available. Runners are advised to leave non-essentials in their cars.
The Races	Senior race will start at 10:45 and has come in at a measurement of 4.8 miles. The race will be entirely on private land except for a couple of short stretches in the senior race which traverse public rights of way. Please be respectful to ramblers on these parts of the course.
Refreshments	There will be no refreshments provided on the day.

Senior Route

The course is a flat one lap route, looping tightly in places to make the most of available space and natural features. Please pay close attention to course markers and marshals for direction.

We have a varied and exciting course including ditches, wooden footbridges and woodland trail. Also you should expect challenging and rugged going around many of the field edges due to the exceptionally wet weather of the last few weeks.