BE A PART OF

THE 16^th GREEN BELT RELAY

To organize the GBR takes a lot of hard work and planning. Over the years we have been so lucky to have Stragglers and others, who have generously given their time to be part of the team that makes this relay happen. Some have taken on small tasks and others huge amounts of work, and we are very grateful to everyone who has.

As a club we organize a lot of races and many people are involved. Through our events and 15 years of GBR we have built valuable experience in hosting such a big event. The 16^th GBR will be on a larger scale than ever before, so as well as our regular helpers we need even more this year. If you already are regulars, then encourage others to get involved.

You can get involved in many ways. You don’t need to give up your whole weekend. You can help out at any time before, during or after. You will have lots of fun, make new friends, know you are part of something very special, and feel a great sense of achievement.

Below are listed the areas where we need volunteers. If you think you can help we want to hear from you. If you think you can contribute in other way, we are always open to suggestions. This relay has developed thanks to the good nature and generosity of those involved and their feedback on how to improve it. With your help, we can continue to improve.

BEFORE THE WEEKEND

Checking the Course

With a complicated 220 mile route around one of the world’s largest cities, many things can change over a year. This year hopefully there will only be few minor changes. However, before the last week in April 2011 we need to check that everything is still in place. On the website there will be a page of the different stages with links to the maps. If you want to go for a run with friends or are willing to check any part of the route, then just e-mail or phone me. I will keep this up to date each day on who’s checking what. If you have not got access to the Internet, just phone or talk to me and I’ll let you know what parts are not covered and get you a map. This way we won’t be duplicating others work.

Printing Maps

By the first week in May we need to have printed 60 copies of each map. If you can help with printing, please let me know before this date.

Marking the Course

On the Friday before the relay we try and mark as much of the route as possible. Last year we used over 400 arrows and six large bails of sawdust. We had 1 teams marking on the Friday, 3 on the Saturday and 5 on the Sunday. Lynda and I drive ahead of the relay checking the marking, doing the bits that have not been done and trying to stay ahead of the runners. It’s hard work and we don’t always stay ahead. If you are free any of the 3 days and can get a friend or more to help you, then you would relieve a lot of pressure.

AT THE START

With up to 500 people at the Hampton Court Palace for the start, things will get very hectic. We have a controlled start out of the gate, over the bridge and onto the towpath. We need 2 marshals to lead the runners at a slow pace for half a mile, and at least 4 marshals to help the event across the road at the exit from the palace.

DURING THE RELAY

Time-keepers

Over the weekend these are the most vital people in the relay. They start and finish each stage, are in charge on the ground, phone the results through to “Results Service” and deal with many other things. They are coordinated by James and Sue Long, carry a lot of information and meet at least twice before the event. We need a minimum of 6 teams of 2, if all are available for both days. Sometimes we have more than 2 in a team; we welcome new teams and also individuals who we can match up with experienced ones.

Results Service

We are very lucky here; we have the best. Clare Graham uses software produced by Nigel Collins at SportsSystems. Paul Graham is in support, driving, navigating and getting the results to the Display Boards Team as quickly as possible after each stage finishes

Display Boards Team

This is made up of Paul Hutchins and anyone who wishes to help him. They follow the race and display the results at each changeover. They aim to get to every changeover to display up to the minute results.

Marshals

In 2011 we could have up to 50 teams. All the teams help with marshalling the route. The more dedicated marshals we have means the less marshalling points we need to allocate each team, and too many marshalling duties can have an effect on a team’s logistics. Luckily each year Stragglers come forward and marshal many points around the course. Some Stragglers have even formed their own teams of marshals and carry out the same duties each year. As well as marshalling the route you are also providing support and water to runners. If we were to marshal ever junction, turn, etc. we could do with over 1000 points covered. However, we priorities these and put our own people on the most important ones. Over 400 people traveling like a carnival around the outside of London and can cause havoc. We need to get the runners, and supporters around safely and we need to ensure we don’t upset locals; park our cars where we should not; keep locals happy and keep within the rules of the law and those that let us use their property. It’s a lot of people – we need to get permissions almost 100 sources each year for this relay to happen. In 2011, we are determined to be more organized. We aim to have a central co-coordinator with a few teams in support. You don’t need to be a runner; you can be supporters, or friends and family of runners and other helpers

Photography

Through the years we have many have also produced some great photos and kindly allowed us to display them. If anyone else takes digital photos of the event, we would appreciate some copies, or even a link from your site to the GBR website. Also, if any of you have a digital video camera and fancy producing a video of the event we want to hear from you.

Adding a Little Bit Extra

AT THE FINISH

It can get quite hectic at the end of the race, getting the results finalized, ratified by the team captains and then holding presenting the prizes.  A few of people to help with tables and putting the prizes on display would be of great help.

STRAGGLERS TEAMS

Usually Keith announces when Stragglers start recruiting for our own teams.  The different category of teams include, men, ladies, vets, slow runners, fancy dress, charity, mixed and anything else you wish to come up with. In the past Stragglers have also entered V50 team and more than one men’s team, so you don’t need to be fast to run, you just need to want to be a part of it.

CONTACTS

To help in any way you can speak to anyone listed above, you can contact Sean Davis at seangbr@tiscali.co.uk or telephone him on 01784 231640 (work) or 07746 062183 (Mobile) . All the information about the relay can be viewed on the website www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk

SPONSORSHIP

Any company or individual wishing to sponsor the event is very welcome. It means we can do more and give more money to the charities. GBR has got a huge amount of publicity throughout the years. We can promote sponsors through the website, the race booklet, the press articles, the race regalia and much more. If you know anyone that wishes to sponsor this race then get them to contact me.

Over the last few years, we had news articles in 3 national running magazines, a third of a page news report in the Irish Times, a third of a page in the Cork Echo, news articles in over 20 local south east newspapers (and maybe more that I don't know about), reported on as a "Classic Run" in Runners World plus news articles in at least two family magazines.

In 2011, any company that sponsors this event will reap the rewards, and they will get much more publicity than the can buy elsewhere. They will also be connected with an event that promotes tourism, health, green issues, protection for the countryside, charities, sport, building friendship, working for each other, the 2012 Olympics and much more.

It will be money so well spent, and any company that does not think we have gave them the publicity they deserve can happily complain to me. However, I know we will get no complaints. I'm confident as to where we are and where we are going.

This will eventually turn into one of the best events in the world and will set a standard for similar events in other countries to follow.