Canoe Marathon - Chelmsford Winter Series marathon 2025

Entries for this event have now closed. Entries closed 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Race Date: 11 Jan 2026
Race Type: Winter Series

Organising Club: Flatwater Racing Association
Organiser: Owen Shephard-Wyatt

CM2 0DE, Chelmsford, Essex

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Chelmsford Winter Series marathon

Date: 11 January 2026

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CHELMSFORD WS
STATUS REPORT (Thur 8 Jan 14:47)
The Race Organiser has reviewed the state of the river and is optimistic that the race can still go ahead.
STATUS REPORT (Sat 10 Jan 20:18) - No change - race is still on.
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Please note that there will be two different start times:
11:00 for classes on the 3-mile course (classes 30-40)
12:00 for classes on the 8-mile & 5-mile courses (classes 1-25).

Schedule:
09:00 - Check-in opens
10:30 - Deadline for check-in for Classes 30-40 (3-mile course)
10:30 - Race Briefing for Classes 30-40
11:00 - Start for Classes 30-40 (3 mile course)
11:30 - Check-in closes for Classes 1-25 (payment only - no new entries or changes)
11:30 - Race Briefing for Classes 1-25
12:00 - Start for Classes 1-25 (8 and 5-mile courses)
14:00 - Prizegiving

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 - 8 miles - 0 portages
Classes 20-25 - 5 miles - 0 portages
Classes 30-40 - 3 miles - 0 portages

Course:

Please note - the course is subject to change.

The race will be run from outside the Clubhouse, through the town to the black pedestrian bridge in Admirals Park & back, depending upon class, 1 loop, 2 loop or 3 loops to finish outside the Clubhouse.

The course contains some low bridges where SUP paddlers will need to be in a low kneeling position.
There will be no portages, however we recommend everyone attends briefings to be made aware of any challenging sections.

Entering:

Clubs paying for their whole team 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 other payments are made as cash on the day (alternatively, as cheque made out to Flatwater Racing Association).

Note: 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.

Please send any queries about entries to Secretary@FlatwaterRacing.org.uk

For queries on other matters, please contact Race Organiser owen.shephard@yahoo.co.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.

Accessible Facilities: separate accessible changing and toilet facilities can be accessed through the main Clubhouse. Please ask the kitchen team for access.

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.

Location & Parking:

Booking in, changing facilities, refreshments and prize-giving will be at Chelmsford CC Clubhouse (Kings Head Meadow, Empire Walk, Chelmsford CM2 0DE). See map at http://www.chelmsfordcanoeclub.co.uk/index.php?page=find-us

Paid for parking is available in two locations depending on vehicle height:

Vehicles over 2m Tall and Trailers - Baddow Road Long Stay Surface carpark, CM2 7PJ. Please note: this car park has changed since the last Winter Series race - the car park is split either side of the new Bow Bridge road. We will have a Marshall on the height barrier on the west (town) side of the road.
Vehicles under 2m Tall (Please remember roof rack and boats!) - Meadows Retail (Surface Car park) https://maps.app.goo.gl/UJUGduKoFEv1N9waA

See map below for access route to Meadows Retail Carpark

We have limited space for Accessible Parking on site, please contact us if you have a specific requirement.

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: Zowie Shephard-Wyatt

Safety:

Event Safety Coordinator: Owen Shephard-Wyatt

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.
Paddlers must ensure that their boats have sufficient bouyancy to support the boat and crew in the event of capsizing, Boats will be checked.
Any competitors with disabilities requiring assistance should inform the Race Organiser prior to the day of the race.
Canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.

Risk assessment and Safety Plan attached.

Fire Safety:

If the fire alarm sounds, please exit the club house via the nearest exit and head to the muster point under the High Bridge Road. No fire alarm tests or drills are planned.

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

Disposable drink systems, energy gel sachets and other racing rubbish should be disposed of appropriately.

Facilities:

Four toilets on site - two Men's on the left hand side of the Kitchen Area and two Ladies' on the right hand side of the Kitchen. Separate accessible toilet and changing facilities, accessed through the main club house. Please ask the kitchen team for access.

Refeshments:

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

Rules & Series information

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

In particular please acquaint yourselves with the full Winter Series rules (attached)

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