10k Race: Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Park

There is a car park at Saltwell Park accessed from Durham Road (A167) via Joicey Road. Postcode NE8 4SF will take you directly to the car park. The car park is free all year round and has capacity for 80 cars, four coaches and includes three blue badge spaces.

There are two electric vehicle charge points available in the car park.

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There is further public parking available at the following locations:

Please do not park on East Park Road prior to the road closure as you will not be able to move your car until after the road re-opens.

Participants are encouraged to travel by public transport, walk or cycle wherever possible.

How to get there by public transport

The buses 53 and 54 fun regularly from Gateshead Interchange to Saltwell Park. There are also a number of buses which run along Durham Road and are within a short walking distance of the park.

Road Closures

It is required by law to close East Park Road for the duration of the race for the safety of both runners and volunteers. East Park Road will be closed to all traffic other than emergency vehicles from 11:00 to 13:30 Hours.

The Ronnie Walker Saltwell Harriers 10k Road Race is England’s Oldest Road Race. Changing the route to hold event solely in Saltwell Park so as to avoid closing the road would not be in keeping with the history of this prestigious race nor would it be in accordance with the licence granted by UK Athletics.

Saltwell Harriers will always try to re-open the road as soon as it is safe to do so once the final runner has re-entered the park.

Baggage Storage

Baggage and personal effects may be left in the designated area at the owner’s risk. There will be a baggage marshal present at all times. The baggage area is under cover close to the bandstand area of Saltwell Park and is identified on the course map.

Baggage storage will be available until 1:30pm.

Please identify your bag with your Name, Race Number and contact details.

Start Time

The race starts at 11:30 on East Park Road.

Prams, Pushchairs and Dogs

Running with dogs, prams, pushchairs and similar items is not permitted.

Prize List

  • 1st Male/Female – £ 100.00
  • 2nd Male/Female – £ 75.00
  • 3rd Male/Female – £ 50.00

All other prizes will be Start Fitness vouchers, and will be posted out.

  • First Senior Male/Female Team (3) = £ 75.00
  • First Vet Male/Female Team (3) = £ 75.00
  • First place in each age category = £ 25.00 (Male = V40, V50, V60, V70+, Female = V35, V45, V55,V65+)
  • Spot Prize – £ 25.00 voucher for runner who finishes in 134th place.
  • There will also be a £ 100.00 cash prize for male/female if the course record is broken.

These prizes will be presented near the Finish at 12.30pm

Race numbers and timing chips

Race numbers will not be posted out and are to be collected on race day from Race HQ in Saltwell Towers.

Refunds / Deferrals / Transfers

Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Wearing of Musical devices

The wearing of musical devices is not permitted. We do not have sole use of the park and it is important that instructions given by marshals can be heard for safety reasons. Runner’s may be disqualified if they are in breach of safety instructions.

Toilets

Public Toilets are available in Saltwell Park, Saltwell Towers (Race HQ) and there will be additional Portaloos available near the start area.

Results

Results will be published on the Saltwell Harriers website, ukresults.net and RunBritain.

Prizes and Presentation

The presentation will take place in Saltwell Towers at 12:30pm.

Water

Water will be available for all participants at the finish line. Participants are requested to arrive hydrated and bring their own water for before, during and after the race.

Age Limit

The race is for over 18s only, due to the alcoholic memento which is distributed at the end of the race.

Guide Runners

Guides should be provided by the athlete and do not have to pay an entry fee. They are not considered to be participating in the race in their own right. They should be identified in advance to the organisers before the start of the race and should wear warning clothing while participating.

Time Cut-Off

There is no specific cut-off time for the race but participants should be able to comfortably cover the distance before entering. Participants are discouraged from entering if they intend to walk the entire distance. There will be a tail-walker behind the last runner.

On the Day Entries

There are no on the day entries.

Covid-19

See Covid-19 Participant Code of Conduct.

The Route

Download Course Map

Start is on East Park Road, (junction with Littledene). Runners will be asked to line up on East Park Road before the traffic calming and inside the gates of the park.  Please do not gather on or behind the traffic calming on East Park Road.

The route heads north along East Park Road turning left into the park through the park gates at the East Park Road/Saltwell View junction (refer to points 4 and 5, Route Map). Once in the park the route follows the perimeter footpath passing points 6 through to 9 and on to the boating lake at point 10.

It leaves the lake, turning right at point 12 and passes points 14 through to 23 where the route enters the ‘bandstand square’ at point 24 and turns left passing points 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29. The route leaves the park at point 30 turning left onto Saltwell Road South. At point 33, the junction of Saltwell Road South and East Park Road, the route follows East Park Road up the hill to point 35 and on to point 1. This concludes one lap.

The described lap will be repeated 3 times. Point 1 will only be passed 3 times. On the third time off passing the runners will pass points 2 to 12 as before however at point 12 they will NOT turn right but follow the path encircling the boating lake to POINTS 38, 39 then Point F, the finish line and the end of the race.

Course Record

Male: Callum Johnson 30.09 (2021)
Female: Rosie Smith 35.05 (2014)

Photos

A photographer will be present at the event and photos taken may be shared on social media or used in future publicity for the event. Participants will not be identified in any photograph against their wishes and any photo will be removed upon request.