ATW Metropolitan Cross Country League - Race 5 on 9th February
The final race of the Metropolitan League, on 9th February, will be held at a new venue — Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood — rather than Ruislip as previously announced. Course maps now available. NOTE: There's no Metropolitan Line service between Aldgate and Baker Street on Sat 9 February.
The league secretary has told us that Hillingdon AC’s fragile relationship with Hillingdon Council and English Heritage, who are responsible for the vast area of Ruislip Woods, has been tested again in recent weeks, and the end result is that the race will no longer take place there. A new course at Merchant Taylors' School has been organised with many thanks to the school for letting the races take place there at such short notice.
Merchant Taylors' School in Northwood, about five miles from the Hillingdon AC clubhouse, is adjacent to Moor Park Underground Station on the Metropolitan Line (zone 6, approx 10 min walk to venue). Limited changing and showers are available in the cricket pavilion where presentations will take place after the day's racing. Please note that there is very limited parking and the league secretary suggests that, where possible, people should travel by train. The station is nearer to the course than the car park.
As usual, the women's 6k race will start at 13:55 and the men's 8k race at 14:35. It'd be great if men could arrive in good time to support the women's race.
As it's a new course, Hillingdon AC would welcome all offers of help from anyone willing to marshal or officiate (if qualified) so if you can spare some time to help from mid-day onwards on 9th February please let me (ihodge@serpentine.org.uk) know and I'll put you in touch with the race organisers.
Full venue address: Merchant Taylors' School, Sandy Lodge, Moor Park, Northwood, HA6 2HT
Course description: Mainly flat, superbly maintained playing fields, lakeside path and rough farmland with two stream crossings. Suitable for spikes.
Please respect the location as the school has stepped in at short notice to stage this fixture; take your rubbish home with you and keep off the sports pitches unless directed by a marshal.
Submitted: 30 January 2013