Format of the event

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Outline:
The annual Windlesham Boxing Day Pram Race is fancy dress, charity event that sees runners complete a 3.5 mile course through Windlesham village stopping at local pubs for a drink along the way.

The Course:
The event starts at Linde Group Headquarters (BOC) on the Chertsey Road and finishes at The Windlesham Club & Theatre, Kennel Lane, where the prizes are awarded. On route racers will visit The Brickmakers Arms, The Surrey Cricketers, The Sun, The Half Moon and The Bee pubs.

Entry:
The event is open to anyone able to complete the course and not just to those living in the Village. There is no minimum age limit but organisers feel that the event is unsuitable for children under 10 years old. Teams sizes are not limited but ‘prams’ should be based on a pram-sized chassis or similar pedestrian propelled vehicle. They must be safe to race and capable of completing the course in one piece.

Prizes:
Each entry will be judged by the Mayor at the Start and prizes will be awarded in three categories:

• Fastest – The John Sanderson trophy for the team that completes the course in the quickest time. Prizes will also be awarded for 2nd and 3rd places.

• Best Dressed – 1, 2nd and 3rd places for teams considered ‘best dressed’.

• Best Engineered – the Andy D’Agata trophy for the pram considered to be the most outstanding, innovative and imaginative construction.

Fastest Pram Race – Rules:
Teams entering the Fastest Pram event race for the honour of winning the magnificent John Sanderson Trophy. They race under the following rules:

• Teams for this race must enter in advance and by 19th December 2011 at the latest

• A pram is any pedestrian propelled vehicle deemed safe by the organisers - no motor or mechanically propelled vehicles will qualify eg. Bicycles etc.

• Each team will have 2 people – one person must always be in the pram whilst running.

• Runners must have a drink (alcoholic or non alcoholic) at each pub and will have a card, issued at the Start, stamped by the Marshal officiating at each pub to indicate that both racers in have consumed their drink.

• The teams can only move onto the next pub once their card has been stamped. The race cards will then be handed to the Marshal at the finish, at which time the team’s time will be recorded.

• A team will be deemed to have finished the event when both racers have consumed their drinks at The Club & Theatre and had their card stamped. The team finishing first with its card fully stamped will be the winner.

• The Race Marshals will decide whether the teams have completed the event in accordance with the rules. Their decision is final.

The Start:
At the start, Team Captains will register their teams, collect a team number, collecting bucket and coloured wristband for each racer. They will then be directed towards the start line, passing en route, the Mayor who will judge the entry, and the Scrutineers who will ensure that the ‘pram’ and racers are safe to race. Once they have completed this process. Teams entering the Fastest Pram event will start first with other teams starting in groups of approximately 20 in order to stagger the flow of runners through the Village.

Along the Route:
Teams are encouraged to collect as much money as they can in their buckets from spectators along the route. Apart from those chasing the prize for the Fastest Pram, this is not a timed race although teams should ensure that they progress quickly enough to reach the finish before the roads are reopened at 14:00. Runners are invited to buy a drink at each pub although it’s not compulsory unless racing in the Fastest Pram event. Participants drinking alcohol are reminded to do so responsibly.

The Finish:
The finish and prize giving will take place at The Club & Theatre in order to reduce congestion in the centre of the village after the event and to ensure prizes are awarded earlier, allowing those who wish to disperse earlier to do so. The Club & Theatre is holding a BBQ/Hog Roast and the bar will remain open to racers until 3pm.

Road Closure:

The course will be closed to traffic from 10am but will reopen behind the last placed team as it completes the route. This means that racers leaving The Club & Theatre at the finish to return to home or to the centre of the Village must be aware that the roads are open to traffic and that they walk in the road at their own risk.

Team Photographs:
Several photographers will take pictures at the Start and Finish. These will be posted in the Gallery shortly after the event.