The Results for the 2009 race held yesterday are now available for download. Please visit the results page here. We would like to thank everyone for coming and a big thank you to all the marshalls that gave their time to this event. We congratulate all our winners in both the fun run and main race. This year we saw the course record broken by our race winner Garrett Ash who ran it in 26:38 beating the previous time of 27:35 by almost a minute. We also saw our ladies record broken by Diane Moore who ran it in 30:37 beating the previous record of 31:16. Both officially had to be a new records due to the course being modified slightly but we don't think this sped up the course at all.

As you can see our website has had a revamp. If you have any comments or have spotted any errors please let us know.

Marshals

If you can't make the briefing on the 11th, between 7:30 and 8:30, please be at the field for 5:30 on Saturday.

Runners

Any entry received on or after the 10th June will be held for collection on the day. If you need any further information which is not on the web site then please email yarnton5@tiscali.co.uk and I will get back to you. Entries will be taken on Saturday afternoon from 5pm to 20 minutes before the race start.

The numbers being held so far are:

Sheila Gascoigne	Rodger Gascoigne
Sophie Pomroy (FR)	John McCormac
Sally Fox (FR)	Thomas Fox (FR)
Cameron Fox (FR)	Paul Webb
Michelle Grieveson (FR)	Liam Grieveson (FR)
Nathan Grieveson (FR)	Peter Grieveson
Sally Martin

Race numbers are now being dispatched. There are still some places left.

This year's entry form is now available online. The UK Athletics number will be updated when known. Entries will be accepted from April.

Hi, Happy new year.

This year's race date will move forward from the weekend of 12th July, this is as a consequence of the Didcot 5 unilaterally moving to the 13th July last year. After discussions with local clubs the date will be the 13th June, as the Ridgeway Relay is on the 21st June. Runners World Event diary and Oxon AA website will be updated shortly.

Following the problem with the locked gate last year extra helpers will assist with the race day organisation and be tasked to ensure similar issues don't spoil the race again.

The website has been updated to include a specific page about the County Championships. This includes the eligibility criteria and how the medals are awarded.

I have to apologise to all concerned regarding the problem that arose on Saturday, which affected the race. The basic problem was that a 6 foot metal security gate was locked, by a non race official, after the course had been marked up and checked. When the marshals got there it was too late to remedy the situation. Hence when I approached the 2 mile point, as lead bike, I was told of the situation by a marshal (who had managed to squeezed under it) and had to make a quick decision. I took a slightly different route to check to see if an alternative way back onto the race route was possible. Unfortunately it was not and so faced with the decision as to end the race or find an approximate 5 mile distance I opted for the latter. The race therefore turned into an out and back route rather than a loop.

Unfortunately this had a number of implications for the runners. The marshals on the second half of the course and the ambulance were now off course and not in a position to relocate. The marshals in the first mile had done their role and tidied up and had or were returning to base. Hence if there was a gap between runners the return route was unclear. Whilst I was able to get some marshals into some key locations there was not enough and I appreciate that some areas were not adequately marshalled. I understand that this caused frustration and confusion and I fully appreciate this perspective and unreservedly apologise.

Whilst reviewing the options my gut feeling was that the out and back course was less than 5 miles and so I added on an additional "1/2 mile" loop but because this actually added to the confusion for the group chasing the winner I recognise that with hindsight that I should have not added the extra loop. In discussion with the first few home the Race Referee confirmed with them that this had not affected the finishing order but I accept it was unsatisfactory. In the end the route was about 5.2miles (by sat nav).

Whilst I was please to see the understanding position taken by a number of the runners I can see a number of issues that need to be reviewed by the organising committee and will ensure that they are raised and addressed before the next race. I also need to apologise to the OXAA and the race referee Graham Pickup for the situation that arose.

Hugh Morris, Race Director

Results are now available from yesturdays Yarnton 5 race. Go to the Results page for more info.