2020


 

--- Welcome to the 51st Punchbowl Marathon ---

Sunday 16th February 2020

- EVENT CANCELLED -

 

IMPORTANT WEATHER UPDATE - 14/2/20

Due to Met Office Amber Rain and Yellow Wind warnings it has now been decided to cancel the event

 

 


Please note (once you have entered):

1. If your name does not appear on Fabian 4's Entry List  then you are NOT entered.

2. If you believe you have entered but are not listed then you should contact Fabian 4 direct quoting your entry ref no as shown on your confirmation of entry email. If you did not receive a confirmation email then either the email address you supplied was wrong or you did in fact not enter. Again you should contact Fabian 4.

3. Do not just turn up saying that you did enter. All administration will have been completed and you cannot enter on the day - so please sort any problems before you arrive.

4. Final Details, Route description and GPX files are now in the 'Routes' section below.


Event Details

The Punchbowl Marathon is a challenge walk (or run) on the footpaths and bridleways of Surrey. Two routes are offered - 30 and 20 miles - both passing around the scenic Devil's Punchbowl with the 30 visiting the villages of Tilford, Elstead, The Sands and Puttenham and passing over the commons of Hankley, Elstead, Puttenham and Ockley. The shorter 20 mile route bypasses The Sands & Puttenham.

RUNNERS should note that this event is not a race and does not follow a marked route. It is a cross country event open to walkers, runners & joggers in which you need to follow a detailed route description. If you happen to go wrong then you might well need map-reading skills to get yourself back on route.The event, which normally takes place on the second Sunday in February, can be subject to the vagaries of winter weather. Should the need arise then any changes to the event will be posted on this site and emailed to the email address given during the on-line entry process.

Please keep an eye open for any late changes to the route that may be required following Storm Ciara - these will be notified by e-mail if possible.

Start / Finish

Chichester Hall, Witley, Surrey, GU8 5PL (SU 947 394)

You may start at any time between 0730 and 0900. Faster entrants please plan your start time around the checkpoint opening times, checkpoints will not open early.

    • CP1 at 7.3 miles opens at 09:00
    • CP2 at 15.7 miles (30 mile route) opens at 11:15
    • For those on the 20 mile route note that CP3 at 14.3 miles opens at 11:00

All to have started by 0900 and all to finish by 1800

Parking

PLEASE PARK UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE PARKING MARSHALS. The main parking area is on the verge opposite Chichester Hall - If you have trouble getting off the verge at the end of the day, please request assistance from HQ. There is additional parking for 30 cars at the front of King Edward’s School at SU949384 1km away to the south. DO NOT obstruct pavements, driveways, gateways or junctions - doing so is likely to jeopardize the future of the event and may lead to a parking ticket. Car-share where possible. Additional parking at Witley rail station 1 mile from venue at SU948379 cost £3.50 for the day. PLEASE PARK CONSIDERATELY and DO NOT PARK in CHURCH LANE or the CHURCH CAR PARK at the TOP of CHURCH LANE or in the forecourt of THE WHITE HART PUB - we do not wish to compromise future events from this venue.

Requirements

You are required to carry a cup/mug, compass, map case & whistle, hat & gloves, waterproofs, good torch for 5pm+ finishers, warm clothing.

You are also required to carry maps or printed map sections covering the route, the details of which are shown here.

Route Description (see 'Routes' below)

Registration

Chichester Hall, Witley, Surrey, GU8 5PL [SU 947 394] 

Registration open: 0700 - 0830

Routes

There are 2 routes, 20 and 30 miles. Here are the Final Details

PBM2020_Final_Details.pdf

The Route Description covers BOTH routes. Please ensure you print off a copy of the route description and bring it with you (copies are not available at registration)

PBM2020_30_and_20_RD.docx       PBM2020_30_and_20_RD.pdf

There are separate gpx files for the 20 mile and 30 mile routes

PBM2020x20mileGPX.gpx      PBM2020x30mileGPX.gpx

There is a flood diversion (if necessary) on the 30 mile route only just before Elstead - this alternative 30 mile gpx is only to be used if you are told the flood route is in operation

PBM2020x30mileFlood.gpx

*GPX files are provided as support only. The definitive descriptor of the routes remains the written Route Description.

Checkpoints

There are 3 checkpoints (2 on the 20 mile route) providing drinks and light refreshments and, as always, a friendly welcome. Refreshments are also available at the Start with a light meal at the Finish. Bring your own cup/mug. There may be a numbers check following the 20/30 mile split and another somewhere round the 30 route. 

Please note that if you arrive at a checkpoint before its scheduled opening time you will need to wait.

If you have special dietary requirements (other than vegetarian) you should plan to carry your own food/drink as necessary.

Results & Certificates

Certificates will be awarded to all who complete their chosen distance passing through all relevant checkpoints and number checks and finish in the allotted time. Once the event is finished results will appear on the LDWA's Public Results

Entry

Entry is on-line only (postal/SEF entries are not accepted) and opens on Nov 1st 2019 with an event limit of 350. This event is now full. Positively no entries on the day. The event does NOT operate a waiting list. Entry fee for LDWA members (Individual and Family only) is £10 and for non-members £28*. Entrants may withdraw up until midnight on Saturday 8th January 2020 by emailing Fabian4 Support.   A refund of the entry fee will be issued, minus the standard Fabian4 refund processing charges.  Closing date for entries is 10 February (although event is very likely to be full well before this date). No refunds after 8th January 2020.

Our events are open to those aged 18 or over. Parents/guardians of those below this age are requested to contact the organiser to discuss their entry. Under 18's MUST be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.

*Why not join the LDWA (£15 for a year) and enter this and all LDWA events at member rates. As a member you will also receive a copy of our Strider publication plus many other benefits.

**Note that LDWA membership details are checked at entry. Please ensure you enter your details correctly.  If you receive an error message then carefully read what it suggests.  If you are unsure of your membership details then logon to LDWA Membership to check what the LDWA has on record.  If you can’t logon then please email the LDWA Membership Secretary for assistance - NOT the event organiser.

Conditions of Entry

By entering the event you agree to the conditions of entry. Please do read these conditions carefully (they includes safety information), don’t just tick the box when you enter, We want to ensure that we minimise the risks and all walkers and runners must be aware of their responsibilities as entrants and the requirements that may be checked before they are allowed to start the event. 

Entrants data will be stored on a computer (in accordance with LDWA national data protection guidelines) and used solely for the purposes of LDWA and this event and will not be shared with anyone else.  By default entrant names will be published on the results pages unless, in making your entry, you ask for your identity to be withheld.

Dogs are not permitted on this event.

You are reminded of the 'no substitutions' rule. If your name does not appear on the entry list then you are not eligible to take part. 

Friends, Family & Supporters

Supporters and friends can follow the progress of (up to 10) selected participants at Public Results by selecting 'follow participants'. If you have supporters on the event you should ask them to bookmark this location on their smarthphone/tablets prior to leaving home. Please ask them to respect the task of the timekeepers and to refer to the Public Results for information about you.

Organiser

The Punchbowl Marathon is organised by the Surrey LDWA committee on behalf of the Surrey Group.

Marshals Walk

The Marshals' Walk (30/20 miles) is only open to those who have volunteered to help on the event itself or to those contributing in some other significant way. Certificates are awarded to those successfully completing the Marshals Walk. So if you are unable to do the actual event but would like to help and thus be eligible to do the Marshals Walk please contact the event organiser. Marshals will be notified of the date of this walk.