There is a long list of volunteers and sponsors that have helped to put this race together. There are too many to list individually, so I apologise if I have forgotten anyone by name.
Top of the list of people to thank, and without their support this race would not be possible are Kingsclere Stables. They have generously allowed access to their land for parking and for the race start/finish field. Kingsclere Stables are equipped with some of the best racehorse training facilities in the country, with facilities that can cater for up to 175 horses. You will be starting the race on their training field (the gallops), and then running across much of their land for the next 3 miles. I must especially mention Anna Lisa Balding; she has been unfailingly supportive of the Hampshire Hoppit despite the inconvenience it will cause, and accepting of the special arrangements that have been necessary for race day.
The host club, Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club, has sourced almost 100 volunteers, many of whom you will be seeing around the course as marshals. It’s a fabulously friendly club that inspires amateur runners to achieve their potential. If you are interested to join a running club, and you live in the Basingstoke area, then visit the website to learn more, at http://bmhac.co.uk/
Other local clubs have also generously contributed volunteers and helpers, including our friends at Chineham Park Running Club, Tadley Runners, Hatch Warren Runners, and Overton Harriers.
The Hoppit Organising Committee deserves a special mention, consisting of the following:-
Tim Fowler | Race Director |
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Gordon Law | Head of Water Stations and Feed Stations |
Dave Ragan | Head of Marshalling |
Mark Bevan | Head of Course Signage |
Terry Wegg | Finish Tunnel and Goody Bags |
Ray Bowden | Health and Safety |
Russell Burton | Start/Finish Field supervisor |
Cyd Hill | Race Parking |
Darrin Ormston | Website Design and Management |
Duncan Reid | Finance/treasurer |
In addition, there has been a Hoppit Steering Committee that has been meeting for the past few months, every 4-6 weeks, to discuss and agree the key aspects of the race. This committee has consisted of Dave Meacock, Peter Grigoleit, Mark Bevan, Steve Jeffery, Terry Wegg, Ray Bowden, Russell Burton, Dave Ragan, Gordon Law, Cyd Hill and Mike Hickey.
The race has received generous sponsored gifts, many of which you will find in the Goody Bag or around the course! These include items donated from Garmin (Europe) Ltd, Mars confectionery , Alton Sports, North Hampshire Sports Massage, Bounce Balls, and Fyffes. Also, the first 40 finishers in each race will receive a Keep Warm Jacket kindly donated by KeepWarmJacket.com.
We have worked with some fantastic organisations that have been unstintingly helpful, including SportSystems (race registration and results), Site Event Ltd (toilets), Collingwood Medical Services (first aid), Loddon Breweries (Hoppit ale), Festival Glass (engraved beer glasses), Jeanettes Engravers at Viables Basingstoke (first winners category prizes), Running Imp (finish medals), Topher Ltd (Traffic marshals), Impact Design & Print of Basingstoke (all race signage), Mysportingtimes (Start/Finish arch and various trestle tables), Farnham Sound and Light (PA System and music), Crown Print Solutions (printed race fliers), and South Downs Water (cups at water stations and the bottled water at the Finish).
Also, at the Finish, you are encouraged to spend your hard-earned cash at the various vendors that we thank for their patronage, including North Hampshire Sports Massage for those sore muscles, Tony Fresko for a cooling ice cream, Royal Berkshire Grill for some scrummy hot food, and please visit the volunteers at the Refreshments Tent from Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC that will be serving tea, coffee, and snacks, where all profits will go to the club’s track improvement fund.
And finally, when the dust has settled on the Hampshire Hoppit 2016, we will hopefully have made some profit. Any profit will help to contribute to the track improvement activities at the Basingstoke Down Grange running track. All improved facilities will benefit the hundreds of local athletes, ranging from ages 8 to 80, that meet and encourage each other and are coached at Down Grange, at all times of the year. For the past 2 years, the club has been generating funds for a covered stand alongside the running track that will hold approximately 200 spectators. Although still in the planning stage, the club has already managed to raise over £60,000 towards development work of this stand. Further details can be found here: http://bmhac.co.uk/athletics-news/spectator-stand/