8th Bishops Stortford Hasler Marathon 2025

PDF download
Date
Venue
Downloadable version of the race details
 Sunday 29 June 2025
Bishops Stortford Canoe Club, Southmill Lock,
River Stort, Bishops Stortford  
Directions
Access to the club is from the A1060, via a private track (Styleman’s Lane).
For navigational purposes use postcode CM22 7QJ.
See www.StortfordCanoe.org.uk/find-us.html
Please respect the 5mph speed limit in the lane and on the field.
Car Park
We have arranged parking on a neighbouring field, subject to weather conditions.
The hard standing car park will be reserved for those with accessibility issues.
Classes
Singles: divisions 1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9
Doubles: divisions 2, 3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9
Geoff Sanders: divisions A, B, C (singles only)
Timetable
Check-in                                             9:00 – 10:00 (up to 11:30 for pre-entered paddlers Divs 1,2,3,7,8,9 only)
Briefing Divs 4,5,6 & GS A,B,C        10:15
Race starts Divs 4,5,6 & GS A,B,C   10:45
Briefing Divs 1,2,3 & 7,8,9               12:10
Race starts Divs 1,2,3 & 7,8,9         12:40
Prizegiving                                         15:00
Fees
Hasler divisions: Seniors £12, Juniors £10, Lightnings: £3
Late entry surcharge of £5 on all entries 
Event Tickets £5 where required
Numbers
PUK Membership
The regional pre-printed number boards will be used. (£5 fee for losses).
PUK On-Water membership or Club Associate membership (below Div 6 only) is required. Otherwise, Single Event Membership (SEM) can be purchased for £5 through the entry website in advance at the time of booking. All boats must be licensed for use on CRT water.
Entries
Please use the MRC Race Entry system for entries:
https://entries.gbcanoemarathon.co.uk/entries 
All entries must be accompanied by electronic payment using the reference number given by the system
(see details on the Race Entry webpage)
Entries through this system will close 23:59 Friday 27th June 2025
Late entries will be accepted on the day, paid as cash, but these and any entries made previously but for which payment has not been received by 27th June, will be subject to a £5 late entry fee per seat (all classes).
Under 18s must be booked in by an adult (e.g. parent or appointed Team Leader) who is able to take responsibility for their participation.
Organiser
Joe Fitzpatrick (07825 371434) hasler@StortfordCanoe.org.uk
Event Safety Officer
Andrew Gurney
Event Welfare
Mick Hussey (07837 274660)
Rules
The race will be run under the current PUK Marathon Racing Committee rules
Safety
  • 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.
  • All paddlers other than those ranked in divisions 1-6 must wear buoyancy aids (as described in MRC rules), and all paddlers under age 16 in higher divisions are strongly advised to do so. Any paddler who has a medical condition or other pre-disposition that could compromise their safety on the water is required by BSCC to inform the Event Safety Officer, and to wear a buoyancy aid at all times whilst on the water or any other safety precautions required by the ESO; it is the responsibility of the paddler (or the adult responsible for them) to ensure that they do so.
  • Competitors are advised not to enter any of the locks to portage.
  • Please note that two of the locks to be portaged (Twyford and Spellbrook) include road crossings. Marshals will be present.
  • Canoeing and kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk.
Risk Assessment (PDF download)
Safety Plan (PDF Download)
Portages
Paddlers who require assistance should notify us when their entry is placed.
Boats
Boats can be put near the river on the edge of the parking field or as instructed by marshals: no boats are to be put on the grass in front of the clubhouse or on the towpath.
Please ensure you follow Check-Clean-Dry protocol to prevent the cross-contamination of waterways with invasive species.
Facilities
Changing rooms & showers available in the clubhouse.
Gents toilets in Portaloos and Ladies in the clubhouse. There is one Accessibility toilet located in the clubhouse.
First Aid
The first aid point will be in the main room of the clubhouse.
An AED (defibrillator) is also located in the foyer of the clubhouse.
Spectating
Good access along the towpath from the club for spectators.
Refeshments
Competitors’ food will be provided after the race.
There will be a BBQ, cakes and other refreshments for sale by card or cash.
Protests
Racing protests must be made in writing to the Race Organiser within 30min of the end of he relevant race. Other matters of Safety or Welfare concern should be drawn to the immediate attention of the Event Safety/Welfare Officers.
Prizes
Results
There will be trophies/medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd boat in each race, and 1st Girl in Geoff Sanders A/B/C
Provisinoal results will be displayed on the day. Final results will be published at
https://entries.gbcanoemarathon.co.uk/results/races 
Privacy
Information will be shared with the PUK Marathon Racing Committee
Photos
BSCC will use photographs taken at the event to promote the club and the sport on the grounds of our legitimate interest in doing so. This will be done in accordance with the current PUK guidelines.
BSCC reserves the right to alter any of these arrangements without prior notice should the weather, river or other circumstances warrant it.
Courses
Division 1, 2, 3 singles,  2, 3 doubles   -- 20.5 km  (13 miles)   -- 10 portages
Division 4, 5, 6 singles/doubles            -- 11.5 km (7 miles)      -- 6 portages
Division 7, 8, 9 singles/doubles            -- 6.5 km   (4 miles)      --  2 portages
Geoff Sanders A, B, C                             -- 3.5 km   (2 miles)      --  0 portages
All races start and finish in front of the clubhouse.

Click on the course maps below to download as PDF.
Scroll down to see images of the portages.
Div 4-6:
start in front of the clubhouse (Start); portage three locks and turn at Sawbridgeworth  Lock (Turn 5), returning over three locks to finish at the clubhouse.
Geoff Sanders:
Start outside clubhouse, head downstream to Twyford Lock (Turn 2), return to the start (Turn 1), back to Turn 2, and return to finish.
Div 1-3:
Start downstream, portage three locks; turn at Sawbridgeworth Lock (Turn 5); return upstream to turn at Spellbrook Lock (Turn 4) then back to Turn 5 twice (total of 4 portages through Tednambury Lock); After arriving at Sawbridgeworth Lock for the third time, return over three Locks to finish at the clubhouse.
Div 7-9:
Start downstream, portage one lock (Twyford); turn at Spellbrook Lock (Turn 3); return upstream portaging once more to finish at the clubhouse.
Click photos of portages for larger view. Left/right refers to orientation when heading downstream (Clubhouse is on left bank)
Twyford Lock, upstream side.
Divisions 1-9 portage.
You may portage on left before the weir, or on the wooden jetty (on right), or to the left of the mouth of the lock.
Use extreme caution when crossing the road.
Twyford Lock, downstream side.
Only access is via a well-built landing stage.
Spellbrook Lock.
Divisions 7-9 turn here.
Divisions 1-6 portage on the left (on the outward journey).
Take care crossing the road.
Tednambury Lock.
Divisions 1-6 portage on the left (on outward journey).
There is no road access to this lock, and no marshal present.