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Great North West Half Marathon

Middle Walkway, North Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire

Middle Walkway, North Promenade, Blackpool FY1 2JQ

Sun 16th February 2020

Starting at 12:00

Organiser's Description

Multi-lap, fast and relatively flat course on the coastal front of Blackpool. A great race for a PB. The event is now celebrating its 31st year and grows in popularity every year, attracting almost 1200 competitors of all ages and experience. A great spectator course for the family.

Races

  • Half Marathon

    Standard Entry

    £25.00

    CLOSED
  • Half Marathon

    UK Athletics Registered Club Entry

    £23.00

    CLOSED
  • Half Marathon

    Fylde Coast Runners Members

    £18.40

    CLOSED

Book

  • Half Marathon

    Standard Entry

    £25.00

    CLOSED
  • Half Marathon

    UK Athletics Registered Club Entry

    £23.00

    CLOSED
  • Half Marathon

    Fylde Coast Runners Members

    £18.40

    CLOSED
Location

Middle Walkway, North Promenade, Blackpool FY1 2JQ

How To Get There

By car: Blackpool enjoys the luxury of having a motorway link direct to the heart of the resort – take Junction 32 off the M6, and the M55 will lead you almost to the beach!

By train: Blackpool is well-connected to the national railway network. There are direct services to Blackpool North from Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Liverpool Lime Street and York. There are also direct services between London Euston and Blackpool North.

There are four services an hour from Blackpool North to Preston, and Preston Station has direct services to all major cities including Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Hourly services connect Blackpool South station to East Lancashire.

Parking

There are lots of car parking options in and around Blackpool, with a choice of pay and display parking around the town centre and sea front, most of it in quite close walking distance to the main areas of the Promenade and the venue. There is also on-street parking available North of North Pier. Please make sure you park legally; the wardens are everywhere in Blackpool and start work early!

What's Included

An amazing bespoke medal

Technical tee shirt

Chip timing

Full medical support

Water stations

Race photos

Baggage store

Prizes are awarded to the following individual winners;

1st 3 Men & 1st 3 Ladies

1st Male Veteran Over 40/45/50/55/60/65/70/75+

1st Lady Veteran Over 35/40/45/50/55/60/65/70+

Event Details

The event headquarters is on the Middle Walkway on Blackpool's North Promenade (opposite the Hilton and Imperial Hotels). HQ, start and finish are all at the same location.

At race HQ you will find the registration desks where you can collect your race packs. There are also plenty of toilets and baggage storage.

The presentation after the event is in the area of race HQ

There may be entries available on the day, which will be charged £5 extra.

Runners' information

All you need to know for race day...

BIB NUMBER COLLECTION

Your bib number, which includes your chip timing tags is available to collect from the events office the week before the event at Fylde Coast Runners, Unit 1a Hoo Hill Estate, Blackpool, FY3 7HJ. We are open from 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday, 10am – 2pm on Saturdays.

If you cannot make it to the events office before the race, the registration desks will be open from 8.00am until 10.30am on race morning at Race HQ. When you arrive, the race-makers will be there to hand you your pack, which will all be in alphabetical order. The race pack includes your all-important bib number, which should be fastened securely to the front of your running top. The chip timing tags are pre-attached to your bib number, so make sure you don’t fold, cut, deface or damage it in any way or you will not get a finishing time. Pins to attach your bib number are provided if you need them.

RACE HQ

The race headquarters is located on the Middle Walkway on North Promenade. It is located north of Blackpool North Pier opposite the Hilton Hotel. Look over the first sea wall and you will see the HQ area. The nearest postcode is FY1 2JQ.

BAGGAGE STORAGE & KEY LOCKER

We have an un-manned baggage storage area for small bags, jackets etc. This is located next to the main registration area. Do not leave any valuables in the baggage area. We also have a key storage locker at Event Support Trailer, which will be located next to the start/finish area. Hand your keys to a FCR crew member at the trailer to be secured until you have finished the run.

TOILETS

Portable toilets are available at the event, located near to the start/finish area. Make sure you don’t leave it until the last minute to use them, they will become very busy just before the start. There are toilets on the course, which are the ‘Danfo Superloos’. These require 20p to operate. We suggest taping a coin or two to the back of your bib number just in case you may need to use the loos on the course.

RACE START AND ROUTE

You need to be assembled at the start area for 10.50am. There will be a safety briefing by the event referee, then the gun will fire at 11.00am. When you start you must run between the start flags to activate your timing chip. The route is fully signed, so there is no chance of getting lost and there are 16 stewards on the course to direct you and assist if needed. Mile markers are clearly displayed too.

HYDRATION STATIONS

Water is available in 500ml bottles at 3.5 miles, 6.4 miles, 8.3 miles, 11.2 miles and at the finish.

MEDICAL SUPPORT

The team from Remote Medical Services will be on the course and at the finish. We hope you don’t need them, but are there if you do. Make sure you complete the medical information on the back of your bib number if you have any medical conditions, allergies or specific medical information that may be important.

RESULTS

Provisional results will be posted at the Information Trailer (near to the finish) during the event. Official results will be published on the events website as soon as they have been checked and confirmed. Usually the same day. If you have a problem with your result, use the contact form on the results page to make your enquiry.

The race is chip timed from start to finish. You will receive a ‘Gun Time’ which is your official time, and a ‘Chip Time’ which is your start point to finish point time. All prizes are awarded on the official gun time.

PRIZES

The awards presentation will take place at approximately 1.30pm, next to the finish line. (Veteran prizes may be posted out to winners after the event once all the results have been checked and confirmed).

DEFERALS/TRANSFERS

If for any reason, you cannot join us on the day, let us know at least 7 days before, and we can defer your entry to the following year or transfer your place over to a friend. If you make any changes within 7 days there is a charge of £5 to cover the costs of your printed bib number and assigned timing tags. We do not issue refunds. Use the following form on the events website to make changes to your entry https://www.fyldecoastrunners.com/transfers--deferrals.html.

FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions by our runners... We hope it helps...

I'm not on the results... Why?

The chip timing system is great, however, as with anything computerised, on rare occasions things can go wrong. On these rare occasions, the antennas may not pick up a signal from the tags which are on your bib number. Our success rate for results is currently 99.89% read from the tags that are attached to your bib number. There are countless reasons why; You may have covered them whilst starting/stopping your watch; you may have put a jacket on over your bib number; the tags may have come off your bib number; they may simply be faulty; it may have been raining very heavily; mobile phones can also affect the signal... the list goes on... but do not despair! do not have a rant on social media like it is the end of the world as you know it... Just drop us an email and we can sort it. All the events are videoed, so we can manually extract your finishing time and slot you into the results. Depending on the size of the event, this can usually be achieved within 24-48 hours.

What are the results all about? What is chip timing?

All our events are electronically timed using RFID chip tags and an elaborate array of readers and antennas. Now this is the tricky bit; After the race you will receive two times. The first is your 'Gun' time; This is the official race time, from when the races starts to when you cross the finish line. The second is your 'Chip' time; This is the time from when you cross the start line to when you cross the finish line.

I have not received an email confirming my entry?

Entry confirmations are sent automatically as soon as payment has been received. This email can sometimes get caught up in your spam/junk mailbox, so be sure to check it. Please contact us by email if you do not receive one and we will send another.

Will I receive a race bib number and pack through the post?

The short answer is NO. Because of unreliable post and the sheer cost of sending large items, your race pack will be ready for collection on the morning of the race. See the event page for opening times etc.

Where can I find more information about the race?

Each event page details all the information you need to have an enjoyable, trouble free day.

I have entered but cannot run. What can I do?

It happens! For whatever reason, you cannot compete, email the Event Support Team and we can either defer your entry to the same race the following year or transfer your entry to another event on our calendar. We will need at least seven days notice before the original event though to make the changes for free, otherwise there is a £5 charge to cover the cost of your race pack & chip tags which are not used.

I cannot run anymore, can I have a refund?

I'm afraid not, refunds cannot be given for events. But don't despair! We can however either defer your entry as detailed above.

What are the medical facilities at the race?

All FCR events are covered by a private medical provider, which include the services of registered Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, Nurses and First Aiders capable of administering advanced life support and defibrillation. You are in safe hands should the worst happen at one of our events.

Am I insured when running in your event?

Yes. We take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All of our events are licensed by UK Athletics, which is the UK's governing body for athletics and road running. Our insurance covers all competitors and extends to spectators, stewards, marshals and anyone involved directly with the event. More information can be found at www.runbritain.com

Can I wear my iPod/mp3 player during the race?

We see the attraction of pounding the streets to your favorite tracks. However, we do ask that you follow these few basic rules: When queuing at the start do not use your iPod/mp3 player so that you can hear the safety announcements by the team; During the race keep the volume as low as possible so you can hear marshals and steward instructions, or indeed other runners if they need help; At the finish switch off your iPod/mp3 player so you can be guided safely through the finishing area.

Is there anywhere to leave my kitbag during the race?

Each event has a baggage storage area so you can store basic items whilst you are running. These areas are not marshaled or supervised so do not leave any valuables. All bags and items are left entirely at the owners risk.

I am traveling quite a distance and need a hotel room. Where should I look?

Blackpool has a huge variety of hotels, guest houses and B&B's.Simply go to www.visitblackpool.com to see whats on offer.

The event I want to run is saying full, but you are taking entries on the day.

A certain amount of medals need to be ordered in advance of the event. Once we reach the limit, entries close. On the day it is inevitable people don't turn up for whatever reason, so we can take entries. However, depending on how many people enter on the day will dictate who gets a medal. People who pre-enter get one guaranteed no matter when they finish. Entrants on the day will need to wait to nearer the end of the race to see how many we have left, then they will be given out in the order of when you entered... Its the fairest way of doing it.

How old do I have to be to enter a race?

Each event has a different minimum age based on the UK Athletics rules. Basically a Marathon is 18, Half Marathon is 17, 10 Miler is 16, 10k is 15 and a 5k is 11 years of age on the day of the individual race.

Have a different question? Email us [email protected]

Reviews

Verified Purchase

A 'verified' purchase review means that we've verified that the person writing the review purchased their entry to this race on findarace.com.

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

4.6

11 reviews

Garry

·4 years ago

Great event. Thanks to all the organisers volunteering teams for making the Blackpool half another great event despite storm Dennis trying to stop us a good friendly atmosphere ,and all aspects of the race explained nice medal and t shirt too always a pleasure to run this race roll on next year thanks all
Claire

·4 years ago

Fabulous event. Great double loop course alibg the seafront. Great medal and t shirt. Duitable for first timers and speedy types alike.
sarah

·4 years ago

Friendly well organised half marathon.. Really friendly and helpful Marshall’s and volunteers. Well organised. Clearly knew what they were doing regarding the event going ahead under testing weather conditions. Talking of which, I really felt like I’d earned my glass (es) of Rioja Sunday night. Thanks very much. Do again. Hopefully with a tad less wind next time.
Ian

·4 years ago

Heroic efforts. Given the awful conditions, the organisers worked heroically to ensure the race went ahead, adapting the course signage as best they could in the very strong wind. Scrupulous re. disposal of one-use plastic bottles. More weather updates beforehand would have helped to reassure. Post-race food only chocolate biscuits - not obviously a gluten free option available. Will happily run there again.
NW
Nic

·4 years ago

Superb. Amazing value for money. Very well organised
NW
Nic

·4 years ago

Well Organised. Great race, well organised, friendly helpful marshals, superb value for money. No faffing at the start, straight on running. Very safe in the wind.
SG
Samantha

·4 years ago

Well Organised Event with Great Pre-Race Updates. It was the first time I had taken part in the GNW Half, and we were at the mercy of Storm Dennis. The organisers made sure everyone was kept up to date pre-race with regards to the weather. The day was tough, but the amazing medals definitely made it worthwhile!
April

·4 years ago

Well organised & great camaraderie. Fantastic event. The wind was absolutely brutal but a great atmosphere to pull us through!!
CM
Claire

·4 years ago

Run like the wind. A sea front run into the gale of Storm Dennis...certainly stamina and character building. Head wind aside - a great route, sea views, well organised, excellent pre-race communication, all out effort to make sure the run still went ahead and the medal is the size of my head! Would definitely do it again and would recommend for a winter half marathon.
Peter

·4 years ago

Flat but boring route. Two short and two long loops of the same route don't make for a very interesting run but if it's a time you are after, it's pretty flat and that's definitely an option. No massages, no sports drinks and a chocolate biscuit at the finish was pretty mean but the medal is nice!
KR
Kara

·4 years ago

Well organised, and lots of fun. Even storm Dennis didn't stop this from being a fantastic event. Yes, the wind was brutal in one direction but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Marshalls were brilliant, especially in the cold!
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Who's In

See who else did this event

Alex lee

Bethany Frampton

Claire McVittie

Friday Knight

Harry Pollard

Kimberley Turner

Linsey Warren

Jason Lord

Nicholas Lowndes

Renato Racz

Scott Rimmer

Sebastian Zagrodnik

Location

Middle Walkway, North Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire

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