NESS XC R3 – Hilly Fields – 09/03/25

26 February 2025 - By Jodee Mayer

GREAT BENTLEY XC RACE – HILLY FIELDS, COLCHESTER – 9 MARCH 2025

Great Bentley are hosting the 3rd fixture this season in the NESS XC League on 9/3/25.

Venue

The venue is Hilly Fields, Sheepen Road, Colchester, CO3 3LL.

Entrance to the start/finish is at the corner of Sheepen Road opposite the school or via Sussex Road depending on where you park (please see below).

The seniors will race at 10.45am – team photo at about 10.35am to allow for a warm up after.

The senior race comprises two laps of approx. 2.5 miles.

Please note that Hilly Fields is a country park and runners may encounter members of the public who are also using the park. Please be respectful to anyone on the course.

Parking

Please can we ask that as many as possible car share as this will help to ease congestion in the area and ensures that everyone gets parked up conveniently.

Parking will be as per prior years, and there are two main parking options to access the race at Hilly Fields – Sheepen Road or Sussex Road. Sheepen Road is the closest. Parking options are set out on the below map.

SHEEPEN ROAD – Post code CO3 3LL

There is roadside parking permitted on Sundays on Sheepen Road. We will have marshals in place to guide vehicles. Please follow their instructions and park carefully so that we can get as many cars parked as possible. Note that we can only park along one side of the road to avoid causing road blockages.

Once all the road side parking is filled up, there is Sheepen Road car park. This costs £2.70 and can be paid for using the MiPermit app or via text message.

You can download the MiPermit app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

The location number for Sheepen Road car park is 737824.

To pay by text: send an SMS (text) message to 61600. If you are paying through SMS message, text the word ‘PARK’ followed by your registration number and the duration of your stay. For example:

‘PARK T123EST 30mins’ or ‘PARK T123EST 2hrs’.

Alternatively, call 0345 520 7007 from your mobile. Calls cost the standard rate as set by your mobile provider.

PARKING FROM SUSSEX ROAD (ACCESSED FROM LEXDEN ROAD)

There is also roadside parking available off Lexden Road. Depending where you park this will mean a 10 to 15 minute walk to the start field. Hilly Fields can be accessed from Sussex Road but please do not try to park there: spaces are extremely limited and it is difficult to turn around to get out.

Please park considerately and ensure that all driveways are left clear and that traffic is not impeded. Roads that can be parked on are: Park Road CO3 3UL; Queens Road CO3 3NY; The Avenue CO3 3PA; West Lodge Road CO3 3NL; Victoria Road CO3 3NT; Creffield Road CO3 3JA; Oxford Road CO3 3HN; Sussex Road CO3 3QJ.

ADDITIONAL PARKING

There is also parking at St Marys multi storey car park. CO3 3AA . This is about half a mile from Hilly Fields.

This is probably the most reliable option to ensure a space however costs £4.20 for three hours. Payment is by way of coins or MiPERMIT App. There will be marshals to guide par cipants down to Hilly Fields. Walk along the front of the building to Popes Lane. Follow the marshal’s directions down to the run.

Refreshments and toilets

Toilets are available at St Helena School which is opposite the Sheepen Road entrance to Hilly Fields.

Please note we do not have full access to the school so ideally changing to be done outside by cars or on the main field.

Refreshments will also be available in the school playground. There will be a cake table and hot drinks and GBRC ask that donations be made which will be given to charity.