The Wedding Day race is run annually over a 7km course in Bushy Park in Middlesex. It has introduced several young athletes to the ways of winning including Olympians Sonia O' Sullivan, Sir Mo Farah and Scott Overall, the last 2 who both won the junior category. Scott went to win as a Senior. It all started in 1982 and is an integral part of the South West London Road Racing Calendar.
28 JULY 2023
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.So called new breed of running clubs started to appear at this time one of which was the London Road Runners Club, 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 would therefore most apposite.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 Ladies 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 we believe 1985.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.2019 will be the 39th running of the race and it 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. More recent international performers such as Craig Mottram, Scott Overall and Sonia O’Sullivan have taken the honours. Sonia, though a regular ladies race winner, has also been on one occasion the only lady to also be an overall race winner.Mo Farah won the Junior race here on two occasions and Scott Overall has won at both junior and senior levels.Previous Lady winners include Margret Mottram, Marina Samy, Ann Ford, Paula Fudge and many other fine club athletes.Keith Haworth
Past Results
Accreditations
Contact
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Main Information
Start time - 7.30pmPack Collection is from circa 6pmThe course is flat and fast so a Personal Best is possibleAccurately measured licensed courseChip Timing - time you cross the line to the time you finish
Travel & Parking
Venue: Bushy Park Hampton Hill TW121NBTravel: 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
Each number has a detachable baggage tag. You can leave clothing at the baggage tent.
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).
Chip Timing
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 men and women, first W35, M40, W45, M50, M60, W55, Local Man and Woman, Team Competitions and Mob Match Plate.Winners are eligible to receive no more than one individual prize.
First Aid
Professional first aid cover will be available to provide medical support if necessary.
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
Introducing the Wedding Day 7K T-shirts
T-shirts are Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. Numbers have a small S, M, L or X to indicate your choice (not so anyone who had transferred where the original size is retained).This year we are not providing a race t-shirt at the event but the Wedding Day 2023 and Timeless t-shirt range is available via The Straggler's kit supplier Iprosports.• Tech T-shirts are available in 100% recycled polyester and cotton T-shirts in 100% organic cotton.• They are available in either Men’s or Women’s fit and in a choice of White, Fire Red or Navy Blue.• All are priced at £12 + p&p and may be personalised with your name on the back of the shirt.T-shirts are available in organic cotton or as tech t-shirts in 100% recycled fabric in white, red or blue with this year’s Wedding Day 7k logo.(We have done this as each year we supply 600 event t-shirts and although they look splendid on the evening we are not sure that they are worn often after that. We are also able to minimise the effects of inflation on our entry fees.)
Race Numbers
Packs will be distributed on the grass outside if dry, and in the clubhouse if wet. These are in alphabetical order by surname and we plan to have four stations - A-D, E-K, L-R and S-Z - just like the old London telephone directory. Rather than having a single long queue please line up in the queue correspondent to your surname.
Children's Fun Run
The informal children’s fun run will start from approx 7.35 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
This year the Wedding Day 7K is supporting the MDS Patient Support Group. Based in King's College Hospital it was started in 2008 to raise awareness and offer support and information to patients and families affected by Myelodysplastic Syndromes & CMML. It is a charity that The Straggler's have also supported through their other events.
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