Hitchin 5
Race Overview
The Hitchin 5km is set in the town center of the historic Hitchin. It is a uniquely set up course that is fast and flat and has great PB potential! It is a great opportunity to race around the town, taking in the sites such as the historic market square, the local and unique independent shops, the historic buildings, the pathways that run by the famous church and river and not to mention to iconic steel statues that sit outside Coopers Yard! All participants will get a bespoke medal and refreshments post-race.
Enter The Race
This years race is on the 28th September 2024. This is a timed event and you'll get an entry number, timing chip and a medal at the end of the run.
Pre-Race
We will contact you via email to confirm details, typically you can pick up your race number the day before the race or on the day.
Race Day
The race starts promptly at 9am. Make sure you are early enough to collect your race number and warm up and there are a number of road closures in place
Results
You'll be able to see your race results almost immediately and we'll update the link below so you can get your results on the day
Course Description
The course itself is 2 laps, both being 2.5km each. The course has been accurately measured and follows the racing line.
You MUST always listen to the marshals. There are some roads you will need to go on/cross, but marshals will be at these points. If in any doubt when a car may come along, let the car go, it’s not worth the risk!
Parking & Registration
RACE REGISTRATION to pick up your race numbers will be from 7:45am to 8:30am in the Market Square.
There are CAR PARKS situated at: •
QUEEN STREET (OPPOSITE ST. MARY’S CHURCH) • PORTMILL LANE
BY THE QUEEN MOTHER THEATRE ON QUEEN STREET
HOLLOW LANE AND OTHER ROADS NEAR THE TOWN
PLEASE DO NOT PARK ALONG THE RACE ROUTE. ALL CAR PARKS ON SUNDAYS ARE FREE.
PUBLIC TOILETS IN THE OPEN-AIR MARKET AREA (THESE ARE THE ONES NEAR THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND ST. MARY’S CAR PARK). THEY ARE 2 MINUTES WALK FROM THE MARKET SQUARE -PUBLIC TOILETS DOWN THE ARCADE WALKWAY JUST OFF THE MARKET SQUARE
Rules
The minimum age of race entry is 11 years old on race day itself.
YOU MUST LISTEN TO MARSHALS AT ALL TIMES AS THIS RACE IS NOT TRAFFIC FREE. THERE ARE SOME ROAD CROSSINGS BUT MARSHALS WILL BE AT ALL OF THESE POINTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY KEEP YOU AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT, LET TRAFFIC GO FIRST BEFORE CONTINUING THE RACE.
There will be scorers who mark down the number of each runner as they complete both laps and a video will be in operation for any discrepancies too.
No music players are permitted at all due to the nature of the race involving public highways and road crossings.
In the event of wet conditions, you must run around the corners carefully and listen to the marshals as the surface in places could be slippery and it is not worth risking an injury for the sake of a fast time or placing. Stay safe!
In the event of extreme weather, the race can be postponed to another day.
Entries cannot be transferred, and are non-refundable.
Prizes
TROPHIES FOR 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD PLACED RUNNERS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE CATEGORIES.
AGE GROUP WINNERS (MALE AND FEMALE) WILL GET TROPHIES FOR WINNING. THE AGE GROUPS ARE UNDER 20’S, 20’S, 30’S, 40’S, 50’S, 60’S AND 70+
IN ACCORDANCE WITH UKA AND ARC RACE RULES, ACTUAL RACE PLACINGS ARE BASED ON GUN TIMES, NOT CHIP. CHIP TIMING IS AN ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OVER THE SPECIFIC DISTANCE, BUT AS A RACE IT IS FIRST PAST THE POST, SO IF YOU THINK YOU ARE IN WITH A CHANCE OF A TROPHY, DON’T START NEAR THE BACK!