Avon Valley Runners

Abstract: This document describes the risks and mitigation activities that have been identified by Avon Valley Runners associated with the running of the Avon Valley Relay.

Introduction

On Saturday, 6th July at 13:00, Avon Valley Runners will be staging the Avon Valley Relay. This event is a traditional 'pass the baton' type event covering just under 17 miles in four self-navigated stages. Starting from Bradford on Avon Rugby Club in Winsley and finishing at Trowbridge Rugby Club in Hilperton and following the Avon Valley.

• Leg #1 of 4-miles. Starting from Bradford on Avon Rugby Club in Winsley the route runs a loop around the rugby pitch before heading out on a quiet country lane to the hamlet of Warleigh, where the course descends down to the banks of the River Avon and follows a footpath all the way to the towpath of the Kennet & Avon canal and on to the first handover point at Dundas Aqueduct.
• Leg #2 of 4.25-miles. Starting from Dundas Aqueduct the route follows the towpath of the Kennet & Avon through to Avoncliff before heading down through Barton Farm Country Park, where the handover point is on the Barton Farm Green (to the side of the "Tythe Barn") in Bradford on Avon.
• Leg #3 of 5.75-miles. The starting point is on the Barton Farm Green, the route then heads up to the canal through the gap in the stone wall and then continues along the towpath of the Kennet & Avon canal, crosses the (Frome) road by the Lock Inn and then follows the towpath (direction Staverton) all the way to Semington, where the final handover point is at the "Somerset Arms".
• Leg #4 of 3-miles. Starting at the "Somerset Arms" the route heads through Semington and along Pound Lane and follows the footpath on the opposite bank of the Kennet & Avon canal towpath all the way to Whaddon. The road is then followed towards Hilperton before turning onto the bridleway that leads to Doric Park, where runners run a circuit around the rugby pitches to finish.

Course map

Given the nature of the event some injuries are inevitable and competitors are asked to indicate their acceptance of this risk through the signing of a disclaimer as part of the entry form.

A minimum age limit of 13-years has been set in accordance with UK:Athletics guidelines for the Relay, excepting Leg 3 which has a 15-year minimum age limit.

As indicated in the race rules and the disclaimer on the entry form - A first aider will be located at the Semington Arms. Runners will be issued with contact details if they come across an emergency.

The race is to be held under Association of Running Clubs (ARC) race rules and has been issued a permit by the ARC. Public liability insurance for the Avon Valley Relay is being provided by the ARC through Avon Valley Runners.

More information about the event can be found at the Avon Valley Runners club website

Risk Overview

The manageable risks* associated with the running of the event have been identified and for each risk described, a cause has been highlighted along with the containment actions that can be taken to mitigate the risk. The impact of the risk should it occur is also described and what actions can be taken in the event of its occurrence. The probability of the risk occurring is also stated and contributes to the risks Severity value, calculated as the Probability against Impact as shown in the table below:

The Impact is graded according to the following criteria:

• LOW - Verbal complaint(s) by greater than 2% of the entrants or by any third party.
• MEDIUM - Minor injury and/or written complaint by an entrant or by any third party.
• HIGH - Serious injury to an entrant.

The key risks that have been identified are those that relate to the other users of the public thoroughfares that the Avon Valley Relay course utilises, including: Walkers, Motor vehicles, cyclists and Horses.

These risks will be managed with the positioning of caution signage on and around the course both prior to and during the event. Other risks relating to the multi-terrain nature of the course will be re-iterated to competitors as part of the pre-race briefing and if not accepted the runner(s) will be asked to withdraw from the event and offered a full refund on any entry fee paid.

*The risks identified do not include those relating to natural disaster, civil disturbance or other force majeur, neither do they include risks to the financial, organisational or administrative functions of the event.