Canoe Marathon - Bishops Stortford Winter Series marathon 2025

Entries for this event have now closed. Entries closed 1 year ago

Race Date: 2 Nov 2025
Race Type: Winter Series

Organising Club: Flatwater Racing Association
Organiser: Kevin Short

CM22 7QJ, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom

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B. Stortford Winter Series marathon

Date: 2 November 2025

Location & Parking:
Bishops Stortford CC clubhouse, Southmill Lock, River Stort

The access lane to the club (a private farm track marked "Styleman's Lane" on some maps) comes off the A1060 (Hallingbury Road).

When driving southwards from B. Stortford it is on the right just after the "Welcome to Essex" and national speed limit signs
If you are driving northwards it is on the left immediately after Haigh's yard (formerly Darlington's Aggregates).

For satnav purposes, the turning from the main road is located at postcode CM22 7QJ.

Subject to the weather, parking will be on the field next to the clubhouse (by kind permission of the owner).
If you are bringing a trailer, or if you have mobility issues which will affect where you can park, please contact the Race Organiser in advance.

Please respect the 5mph speed limit in the lane and on the field.

Schedule:
9:30 - Check-in opens
10:30 - Check-in closes
11:00 - Race Briefing
11:30 - Start
14:30 - Prize-giving

Please note that class eligibility for this series is determined by age on 1st November 2025.
"u" (under) means literally that - if you are 16 on 1/11/25 you are too old for u16 races.

Classes with low entries will be grouped - this will not affect points or medals.

The start order of classes will not necessarily follow class number order - the list of pre-entries and the expected start order will be made available on the day using a QR code.

Distances at this race:
Classes 1-10 - 7 miles - 6 portages
Classes 20-25 - 5 miles - 3 portages
Classes 30-40 - 3 miles - 1 portage

See course map (attached)

For photos of the portages, see the BSCC website at http://StortfordCanoe.org.uk/ws-courses.html

Entering:

If you are part of a club team, your Team Leader may intend to place your entry and/or pay in bulk - please check with them.
Payments for entries by individuals or clubs are made by as cash on the day (alternatively, as cheque made out to Flatwater Racing Association). Clubs may arrange to pay electronically in advance by special arrangement with the FRA Treasurer Treasurer@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk (such payments must be completed by midnight Friday)

All paddlers must be current members of Paddle UK (personal or Club Associate), *or* must additionally purchase PUK "Single Event Membership" (SEM) for £5. This can be done during the online entry process. If you are a member of a Paddle UK affiliated club, please speak to your team leader before puchasing SEM as you may already have Club Associate Membership. All boats must be licensed for use on CRT water (included in PUK membership/SEM).
Please send any queries about entries to Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk

For queries on other matters, please contact Race Organiser Kevin Short WinterSeries@StortfordCanoe.org.uk

The Winter Series welcomes Paddle-Ability competitors (those with disability/impairment or long-term disabling illness, whether physical, sensory, or intellectual). The online entry system does not collect this information - to be eligible for a "first Paddle-Ability" medal in each class, or to be allowed to "paddle down" to a more suitable age class, the team leader should contact Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk in advance of the first race of the series that the paddler will attend.

Marshals will be available to assist those who need it at the portage on the 3 mile course. Competitors on other courses who will require assistance should speak to the Race Organiser in advance.

Seat Fees:

Juniors (u18 on previous 1st January) £5

Seniors £10

There are no late fees or penalties for cancellation

Number Boards:

Pre-printed number boards will be issued for K1/K2 classes (£5 fee for if not returned - under some circumstances a deposit may be required), and sticky number for C1/C2s and GPs. Please ask if you prefer a board for a C1/C2 or a sticky number for a K1/K2 with no board holder.

Photos:

The host club and the FRA will use photographs taken at the event to promote the club and the sport on the grounds of legitimate interest. This will be done in accordance with current Paddle UK guidelines.

Welfare:

Event Welfare Officer: Mick Hussey (07837 274660)

Safety:

Event Safety Officer: Andrew Gurney

All participants must be capable of swimming 50m in racing clothing.
Footwear should be worn by all participants, and clothing appropriate for the weather conditions on the day.
Buoyancy aids must be worn by all paddlers not ranked in divisions 1-6 and all paddlers under age 16 irrespective of divisional ranking and all paddlers taking part in an u16 class.
Any paddler who has a medical condition or other pre-disposition that could compromise their safety on the water is required by BSCC to inform the Event Safety Officer, and to wear a buoyancy aid at all times whilst on the water or any other safety precautions required by the ESO; it is the responsibility of the paddler (or adult responsible for them) to ensure that they do.
Competitors are advised not to enter any of the locks in order to portage. Please note that two of the locks to be portaged (Twyford and Spellbrook) include road crossings. Marshals will be present.
Canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.

First Aid:

First Aider: Ruth Kirtland. The First Aid point will be in the main clubroom. An AED (defibrillator) is located in the foyer of the clubhouse.

Boats:

Boats can be put near the river on the edge of the parking field or as instructed by the marshals. No boats are to be put on the grass in front of the clubhouse or on the towpath.

Environmental Issues:
Please ensure you follow Check-Clean-Dry protocol to prevent the cross-contamination of waterways with invasive species.

Facilities:

Changing rooms and showers available in the clubhouse.

Due to a massive increase in cost, we will not be hiring portaloos this year. [UPDATE 27/10/25]
Two toilets are available in the clubhouse, one of them accessible.

Refeshments:

Competitors food will be provided after the race. There will be a BBQ, cakes and other refreshments for sale by cash or card.

Spectating:

Good access along the towpath for spectators on foot or bike.

Rules & Series information

See http://www.FlatwaterRacing.org.uk/winter-series.html

In particular please acquaint yourselves with the full Winter Series rules (attached), especially those for portages:

Assistance at portages may be received ONLY by those who need it and must not be for competitive advantage.
Helpers must walk only, and where possible should carry the rear end of the craft.
If un-assisted paddlers overtake, assisted craft must give way.
Validated protests will result in time penalties or disqualification.

Course Records:

Course records for this race - see PDF attachment.

Privacy:

Race entries will be handled centrally by the FRA. Information will be shared with the Marathon Racing Committee (MRC) & Race Organisers.

Race Results:

Provisional results will be published via a QR code as they accumulate and as a print-out when complete. A further 15 min will be allowed for protests/queries before prizegiving. Results will appear on the FRA website, and this will be updated with promotions once these have been calculated by the MRC.

The organisers reserve the right to alter any of these arrangements without prior notice should the weather, river or other circumstances warrant it.

Race Terms & Conditions

Entry Details

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Winter Series Races