Richard Bennett Felixstowe Coastal 10M

This years race is both part of the Suffolk Grand Prix and the County 10 Championship

More information on the Suffolk Grand Prix can be found at https://suffolkathletics.org.uk/gp-fixtures-and-results/ 
And on the County Championship at https://suffolkathletics.org.uk/county-championships/

Prizes and Mementos

All finishers will receive a bespoke medal and our highly sought-after technical T-shirts are back this year with a new 2024 design.

Prizes to be awarded as below, please note only one individual prize per competitor which will be the highest ranked award.

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed open Male and Female
• 1st placed Male 40 – 44 / 45 – 49 /50 – 54 / 55 – 59 / 60+
• 1st placed Female 40 – 44 / 45 – 49 / 50 – 45 / 55 – 59 / 60+
• 1st placed Male Felixstowe Road Runner
• 1st placed Female Felixstowe Road Runner
• 1st Men’s team (3 from same club, affiliated clubs only)
• 1st Female team (3 from same club, affiliated clubs only)

Facilities

Race HQ will have a baggage drop; you will need your race number to access this facility and to have your bag returned. Toilets are available at race HQ and the use of showers and changing rooms are also available for a small charge payable to the Leisure Centre themselves.

Important Information

1. Sorry, but we are unable to offer refunds.
2. Self-service transfers are allowed until the end of Sunday 1st September. Please visit the race entry site to administer transfers.
3. Competitors must obey the instructions of race organisers, race officials, police and marshals at all times before, during and after the event while in the vicinity of the course, race headquarters and any designated car parks, failure to do so could result in disqualification.
4. The wearing of earphones is strictly prohibited, as competitors must be able to hear instructions from race organisers, police, marshals and race officials before, during and after the race. The wearing of earphones will result in disqualification. This is standard for road races on open roads. This includes bone-conduction headphones.
5. All competitors must affix the race number to the front of their vest or t-shirt, and all emergency and medical details on the reverse must be completed in full.
6. Collect your timing chip and number from the race HQ in sufficient time to reach the start. Race HQ opens at 8 am.

Directions & Car Parking

There is metered car parking available around the Leisure Centre, IP11 2AE for satnav. There is ample car parking at Garrison Lane car park, IP11 7SH for satnav.

Please do not park in residential parking spaces and consider the environment by car sharing as much as possible.

Take the A14 to Felixstowe, then straight over the dock spur roundabout onto A154 Candlet Road, turn right at the roundabout onto A154 Garrison Lane and straight over the traffic lights continuing straight. Car parking available just before the Premier Inn, turn left at the roundabout and follow the road to the end to reach the Leisure Centre.

The start is at the bottom of Bent Hill on the promenade; two minute’s walk from the Leisure Centre and will be sign posted.

Who is Richard Bennett

Richard and his wife Annabel moved to Felixstowe from Sheffield over 27 years ago and, as they were both training for the London Marathon, thought it would be a good idea to join a local running club (not something they had really done before).  They picked Felixstowe Road Runners and this became the basis of their friendship group and social life for many years.

Rich was well known for his very short pink shorts and he was a good runner, completing several marathons in under 3 hours.  He supported everyone from beginners in the club to those training for marathons, cross country and ultra races.  He loved being part of the club and ran the Round Norfolk Relay for several years, usually running the long night shifts.

He was also a GP at Haven Health for many years and so was well known and loved amongst the general community.  He struggled with severe depression for a prolonged period and eventually had to take early retirement due to ill-health.  After some time had passed, he started prison visiting, then helping Amnesty International and eventually worked part-time in London for ‘Freedom from Torture’, writing medico-legal reports for people who had been tortured and abused in their own countries.

He lost his battle with his mental health in 2013, by taking his own life. “It is a privilege to have his name living on in this race.”  Annabel Bennett.