NESS XC race 3 – Hillyfields

6 December 2021 - By Natalie Lilley

Coming hot on the heels of race 2 (and the Vets race for those of us that ran this weekend!), race 3 is hosted by our rivals for 3rd place in Pool A – Great Bentley.

Bentley have done a great job of supplying info and maps, so I’ve copied their instructions/details below.

This is the last XC of the year, with races 4 and 5 in Jan and Feb next year. Our numbers have been fantastic in the first two races, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Sunday 😊

Note the below is directly from Bentley club. Whilst we appreciate that parking may be tricky, and car-sharing is being recommended, please only do what you are comfortable with from a Covid perspective.

 

“Great Bentley are hosting the 3rd fixture this season in the Eyes Rite XC League on 12/12/21. The venue is at Hilly Fields, Sheepen Road, Colchester, CO3 3LL with the entrance to the start/finish at the corner of Sheepen Road opposite the school or via Sussex Road depending on where you park (please see below).

The senior race starts at 10.45am. The course starts and finishes on the field with the race taking you through woods and on tracks and fields around the country park at Hilly Fields.  Please note that it is a country park so there could be members of the public on a Sunday morning walk so be respectful to anyone on the course. The senior route will be 2 laps of the course.

 

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 OPTIONS

We have been unable to secure the use of the Institute car park like previous years due to ongoing COVID restrictions.  There are two main parking options to access the race at Hilly Fields – Sheepen Road or Sussex Road.  Sheepen Road is the closest. 

SHEEPEN ROAD

Post code Sheepen Road CO3 3LL

There is road side parking permitted on Sunday’s 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 up at no cost. 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 £2.20. Details as to how to pay are below.

Sheepen Road Car Park

Pay with the MiPermit app

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.

Coins

You can pay for parking with coins. The machines do not accept notes.

Send an SMS (text) message or call to pay

If you are paying through SMS message, text the word ‘PARK’ followed by your registration number and the duration of your stay to 61600. 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 stop this will mean a 10 to 15 minute walk. 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 also park considerately and ensure that all driveways are left clear and that traffic is not impeded. We have checked and all of the marked spaces have no restrictions on Sundays.

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. It is the most expensive option and costs over £4 per vehicle. We are concerned that the entrance to this could become congested with Xmas shoppers!  Parking is by way of coins or MiPERMIT App. There will be signage to guide participants down to Hilly Fields. Walk along the front of the building to Popes Lane. Follow the markers 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.

Unless anything changes with COVID restrictions, we will be offering refreshments near the toilets under the covered canopy in the school.  We do not have access to the school hall due to COVID restrictions again.  Tea/coffee/hot squash and of course cake (it is Bentley……J) will be available free of charge but we will be taking donations for charity so remember to bring any pennies you have lying around.  Those who regularly run XC may remember that one of our members who loved XC tragically died just before our last XC race 2 years and we will pass any donations onto his children to give to a charity of their choice.  Please bring a mug with you to save a tiny bit of the planet.”