Welcome to the Wedding Day 7K Race, which is organised by The Stragglers running club. We are now in our 42nd year of organising this race, and this year it is part of the Surrey League. It is on 26th July 24 starting at 7.30pm in Bushy Park, Middlesex.To find out more about this race, please click on the relevant buttons above.To enter please click below [entries will open 1 May 24]. If you would like to know more about The Stragglers please do click on the yellow button below.We look forward to seeing you there!
26 JULY 2024
in support of
Race Details
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Course Map
History
1981- HRH Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married. The Royal Wedding took place on the 29th July and the day declared a public holiday.In celebration the nation organised street parties and community events throughout the land.The nuptials, when announced, coincided with the embryonic emergence of mass participation running initiated by the arrival of the New York Marathon and the 1981 First London Marathon.The so-called new breed of running clubs started to appear at this time, one of which was the London Road Runners Club (LLRC), and it was from their original officers Lynn and Dave Billington, Lesley Watson, Lawrence Brampton and Will Chapman that the idea of a Royal Wedding Day Race was generated.Lynn and Dave Billington took up the challenge of organising the event with a group of running friends who met at The Star public House in Hampton Hill Middlesex. They initially considered that it should be a 10k race within Bushy Park adjacent to the pub and it is of course a Royal Park and therefore most appropriate.However legend has it that whilst running around the park to find an appropriate 10k course they decided that certain decisions needed to be reviewed and so returned to The Star for ‘refreshment’ and further discussion. The longer the refreshment went on the more they decided that perhaps what they had was enough and the Wedding Day 7k was born.The first race was won by AFD’s Neil Blaney with Kathy Binns of Sale taking the womens title.The race was organised by LRRC for a couple more years with assistance from The Stragglers Running Club who eventually took over the running of the event in 1985, we believe.The 1981 event was an instant success and has been well supported ever since maintaining its Wedding Day theme. Indeed, it has celebrated Will and Kate’s Wedding in 2011 and last year featured that of Harry and Meghan.Over the years the race has seen many illustrious names amongst its winners. The early years had international athletes Grenville Tuck, Bernie Ford, Peter Clarke, Jon Solly, Gary Staines, Richard Nerurkar and Sam Haughian. Previous women winners include Margret Mottram, Marina Samy, Ann Ford, Paula Fudge. The more recent
international performers such as Craig Mottram, Scott Overall and Sonia O’Sullivan have taken the honours. Sonia, though a regular women's race winner, has also been on one occasion the only lady to also be an overall race winner. We have also seen many other fine club athletes win.Mo Farah won the Junior race here on two occasions and Scott Overall has won at both junior and senior levels.As like most things in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic the race was not run. Instead in 2020 we had a virtual race ‘The secret 7k’. We came back to organising the 40th event in 2022 and continuing this strong tradition of the Wedding Day 7K (WD7K).Keith Haworth had been instrumental to the organisation of the WD7K and spent most of that time as the Run Director. He had been running with The Stragglers since before they were called The Stragglers. He ran the first Wedding Day and only missed one. He was instrumental in taking over the organisation when the London Road Runners ceased. Sadly, Keith passed away just after the race in 2023, we believe he wanted to make sure it was in safe hands to continue this fantastic tradition and his great legacy. I hope we make you proud.Which brings us to the 42nd race in 2024, where we hope to continue to see old running friends who love this race and new friends.
Results
We use Sport Systems, who provide a full registration and race administration service: entrants, timing and results service at our races. Soon after the race you will be able to find your results on the Sport System website. You can also see in the links below the results from the last few years.
Accreditation and Licence
Wedding Day 7K is a fully accredited and licenced event. See documentation below:
Contact
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Main Information
The cost to enter is £17 affiliated and £19 unaffiliated. For Juniors it is £13/£15. Please go to the home page and click on 'enter'.Start time - 7.30pmRace number and timing chip collection is from circa 6pmThe course is flat and fast so a Personal Best is possibleAccurately measured licensed courseProfessional first aid cover will be available to provide medical support if necessary.
Travel & Parking
Venue: Bushy Park Hampton Hill TW12 1NBTravel: Look out for the Library and Sainsbury’s. The closest gate is called Hampton Hill New Gate. From there follow the crowd!Public Transport: The closest BR station is Fulwell, on the Shepperton branch from Waterloo, normally via Kingston.Buses: Numbers 285 or 68 pass by the park (Holly Road stop).Parking: Please park with consideration for residents and consider using public transport or parking further away and making the final part of the journey on public transport.
Baggage
There is a baggage tent that will be staffed during the race. When you collect your race number on race day, it has a detachable baggage tag. Although supervised please do not bring your best watch with you. Leave it a home.
Changing & Toilets
There will be very limited changing facilities and we therefore recommend that runners come ready to race.Unfortunately, there are no shower facilities. There are toilets at the Cricket Club and at the United Reformed Church (which is close to the start).
Race Number & Timing Chip
You will pick up your race number and timing chip on the day. Packs will be distributed on the grass outside if dry, and in the clubhouse if wet. They will be ready from 6pm onwards.
These are in alphabetical order by surname and we plan to have four stations - A-D, E-K, L-R and S-Z. Rather than having a single long queue please line up in the queue correspondent to your surname. Pins are included in your pack to pin your race number to the front of your t-shirt.Your timing chip is in its own envelope with a couple of ties. These are within the race pack. There are instructions as how to attach the chip on the chip envelope.Chip Return - Don’t disappear with your chip. There will be people in orange bibs to help you remove the chip. If you find you still have your chip please hand it in at the club house.
Course
It is a flat, mixed terrain course in Bushy Park. The course is not suitable for wheelchairs, prams or pushchairs.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the first: three senior men and women,
First Juniors,
First M40, M50, M60 and W40, W50 and W60.
First local man and woman (TW11, TW12),
Team Competitions for men and women,
1st Straggler women and man
and Mob Match Plate.Winners are eligible to receive no more than one individual prize.
What happens if I cannot take part?
If you are unable to run and you would like to transfer your entry to another runner then please Email enquiries@sportsystems.co.uk and they will send you a transfer form. Please note that there is a £5 transfer fee payable.Alternatively, you can download and email the form.
Medical Conditions
If you have a medical condition that will need consideration should you be taken ill during the race, please write the details on the back of your race number. If you feel unwell before the race, or have not been well for a few days prior to the event, please do not start; remember there is always another year and another race.
After the Race
On completion of the race, drinks and food will be available to purchase in the clubhouse.There is usually a festive atmosphere after the race with many people picnicking on the field in front of the clubhouse, so please feel free to stick around, socialise and soak up the great post-race atmosphere.
T-shirts
The Wedding Day 7K T-shirts
You can purchase a timeless Wedding Day 7K t-shirt which is available via The Straggler's kit supplier Iprosports.The tech t-shirt is in 100% recycled fabric. Available in either Men’s or Women’s fit, in a choice of White, Fire Red or Navy Blue with the Wedding Day 7K logo on. The size options: Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large.All are priced at £20 + p&p and may be personalised with your name on the back of the shirt.Please click on the link below to purchase a t-shirt
Headphones, MP3 Players, Buggies and Prams
The Wedding Day 7K does not allow headphones and or running with Prams or Buggies
Children's Fun Run
The informal children’s fun run will start from approx 7.35pm shortly after the start of the main race. Assemble close to main race start and listen for announcements.
Other Park Users
Please respect other park users be they on two legs, four legs or wheels. If you plan to stay for the post-race Wedding Breakfast then consider including some mosquito repellent in your kit bag. Have a great run.
Cancellation or Postponement
The organisers will endeavour to proceed with the race under all circumstances, but if for any reason beyond their control, including extreme weather conditions making the course unsafe, or advice from the Police or the independent race referee, they reserve the right to delay the start, postpone or cancel the race. In the event of cancellation, the organisers regret that entry fees will not be refunded as all revenue will be committed to suppliers and race administration.
Race Charity
The Purple Elephant Project is a children’s mental health charity working across the London Boroughs of Richmond and Hounslow.Every week they support over 100 children and their families with therapeutic interventions such as Play therapy and Art Therapy.They provide support for children and their families affected by attachment, developmental trauma or life experiences. Through specialist therapeutic services, they work to transform lives; enabling children to reach their full potential and a brighter future.
Volunteer
If you are not running, please consider signing up to be a volunteer at this great race. Just click the button below to register your name with Simon Brazil