We encourage you to invite supporters to provide you with morale boosting cheers throughout the day, and perhaps some of your favourite treats towards the latter stages of the race.
Please note that the majority of checkpoints will be situated adjacent to public houses. As such, there should be adequate opportunity for parking and refreshments.
Supporters planning on visiting the first checkpoint in Great Thurlow are requested not to park near the aid station due to farm vehicles using the narrow read. We would encourage supporters to park near the church or near the crossroads. Be warned, the roads are narrow and facilities are limited around this particular aid station location early in the morning.
Additionally, we request that supporters do not park in the cricket club car park in Long Melford. There should be parking spaces on the B1064 nearby.
Finally, supporters visiting the aid station at the Lamarsh Lion are requested to park at the village hall close to the church if the car park is full at the pub. The village hall is approximately 5 minutes walk from the pub.
In addition to the checkpoint locations, there are also a number of other scenic points along the route suitable for parking, supporting and refreshments. For example:
The Crown in Stoke by Nayland (~53mi into the run) – CO6 4SE;
Flatford, the area that inspired John Constable (~60mi into the run) – CO7 6UL.
Crew / supporters are encouraged not to stand adjacent to or block the checkpoints. Runners will need clear access to all of the checkpoints.
Parking
If you are driving, there should be adequate parking very close to the starting location, particularly around Birdcage Walk and Falmouth Avenue. Please note that you will be leaving your car at your own risk.
If you want to look around the Dedham Vale near the finish line, there is a hopper service run by The Stour Valley Landscape Partnership. This runs hourly from Manningtree Train station between 10:00 and 16:00 hours. The hopper stops very close to the finishing line and also runs to Stratford St. Mary, the location of the final checkpoint.
Further information on ‘things to do’ in the local area whilst waiting for your runner can be found on the following websites: Suffolk Tourist Guide, Visit Suffolk, and Visit Essex.