The Castles: The Wakefield Area might not seem to be the obvious location for a Race the Castles venue but this misses the strategic importance of the City in the Wars of the Roses. Wakefield was a key crossing point over the River Calder and this crossing was dominated by 2 hills. To the south lies Sandal Castle whilst to the north is the low hill now forming Thornes Park. Between them lay an area of marshland, the river flood plain and the river itself.

Sandal Castle is currently being restored but still retains significant stone fortifications and a deep moat while the earthworks of Low (or Lawe) Hill within Thornes Park are now mostly hidden under trees and rhododendrons. Both were first constructed in the early 12th Century by William de Warrene. Sandal Castle has two main claims to fame. It was the site of the Battle of Wakefield in 1460 when Richard Plantagenet was defeated and subsequently killed. It is also ascribed as the setting for the nursery rhyme 'The Grand Old Duke of York'

Car Parking & Registration: Thornes Park, Horbury Rd, Wakefield WF2 8TY. Streetmap

Parking will be available in the old Wakefield College car park. Access is from the A642 Horbury Road. Continue past the Athletics Centre car park and then turn right. This is now owned by the Penny Appeal Charity who have made it available to EPOC for the event.

Registration and Download: From 6pm. These will use vehicles in the carpark.

Terrain: Parkland with some college buildings.

Map: 1:4000 with 5 mtrs contours (updated by Simon Martland)

Toilets: The external toilets will be available at the end of the Thornes Park Athletic Track building. Please Do Not use the facilities within the athletics track building as this will be very busy with young gymnasts.

Start And Finish: Starts 6.30 – 7.30pm   Both are close(c.100m) from registration. Courses close 8.30pm.

Entries: Seniors £7.00, Juniors, Students with cards and Newcomers £4.00. Dibber Hire £1
Electronic punching: Controls are SIAC enabled.  

Please use this simple online notification system to let us know if you might be coming to the event, as this will help us to decide how many maps to print. (Courtesy of Alastair Mackenzie of CLOK).

Courses: You are welcome to enter any course.

Planners Notes: Some areas have considerable undergrowth/overgrowth, the "Motte" and Bailey area especially but there is a pain free route to the Castle.    Paths through undergrowth can be indistinct and seasonal.

Long, Medium and Short Courses plus newcomers.
Length and Climb to be confirmed:

SI Download: After punching the finish control you must download as soon as possible and hired SI cards will be collected. Should you lose your SI card, or fail to return it, you will be charged the full price of a replacement (£30). 
Results:  Results will be on display in the registration area and via the EPOC website www.eastpennineoc.org.uk
Safety:  While we have carried out full risk assessments of the competition areas and put in place any mitigation of the risks we found, please be aware that you take part at your own risk. Competitors will be responsible for their own safety.
Please respect other park users. Competitors who are travelling alone are advised to leave their car keys at registration and complete the entry form with their car registration no. All competitors must download as soon as possible at the end of their run whether they have completed the course or not.

Organiser: David Morgan
Planner: Jean Lochhead
Controller: Juliet Morgan