Wickham Park 5000m Cross Country Course Notes for Coaches The current Wickham Park 5000m cross country course located on the grounds of Wickham Park in Manchester Connecticut was recently certified and marked in July 2014 with the permission of Jeff Maron (Wickham Park) by a group of individuals that included course architects George Suitor and Bill Baron, USATF Course Certifiers Jim Gerweck and Steve Norris as well as Thom Jacobs (Paynes Corner Timing), Kevin Over, Jeff Gee and Ron Knapp (MySportsResults.com). The current course that was established in 2006 for regional, state, conference and invitational meets includes surfaces that are predominantly grass with a short wood chip trail, a short dirt trail and nine narrow park road crossings. Measurement of the 5000m cross country course in the setting of Wickham Park was accomplished by using USATF road race course standards and procedures as much as possible given the difference between course surfaces. The goal of course certification was to establish measurement of permanent markers for the start line, road fence boundaries, finish line, turns where no natural indicators as well as kilometer and mile markers. With permission of park superintendent Jeff Maron, permanent course markers were added that include blue and white road paint marks and embedded brick markers for the 1k, 1mi, 2k, 2mile and 4k. The course certification also established use of existing natural and man-made markers to provide meet directors with a consistent point of references for marking the course for each meet. The chart on the following pages contains descriptions and photos for each course reference point and distance marker. Updated: 9/29/2014 1 of 9
Wickham Park 5000m Cross Country Course Notes Mark Description Photo Start Line The start line is pre-marked from the turn tree to the far backstop using a 300m rope pulled taught. Turn Turn marker after second road crossing approximately 400m after the start. Use the existing Ultimate Golf brick markers to define this left turn. Directional Paint lines should direct runners to the right side of the tree line aiming for the tree overhang for the best tangent to the 1km marker and front side tree turn. Updated: 9/29/2014 2 of 9
1-Km Brick marker adjacent from end of tree line in middle of field Directional Paint lines should direct runners to the right side of the tree for this left turn. Directional Paint lines should direct runners towards the narrow gap in bushes to prepare for the gentle left turn. Updated: 9/29/2014 3 of 9
Directional Paint lines should direct runners towards the left side tree line to prepare for the gentle left turn. 1-Mile Marker Brick marker on left side of path uphill across from parking lot. 2-km Marker End of wood chip trail Updated: 9/29/2014 4 of 9
Turn Marker After 2k at road crossing 2500m Mark The half way mark for the course is 42 feet west of the start line tree. Updated: 9/29/2014 5 of 9
Turn Marker A brick marker is located behind start line to define the rope line that extends from the tree to the far backstop. 3k Marker After arriving at the top of the 'Green Monster' hill, the course path is defined as between the trees (to the right of picnic tables if they exist) towards the 3km blue road mark. Paint arrows to direct the runners through the trees. Updated: 9/29/2014 6 of 9
2 Mile Marker Brick marker on right side of course immediately after existing wood chip path. Road Crossing Marker Blue paint markings designate the road crossing to the front field after exiting the woods. Road Crossing Marker Blue paint markings designate the road crossing to the front field after exiting the woods. Paint course arrows towards the large tree in front field for a gentle right hand turn. Updated: 9/29/2014 7 of 9
4k Marker The brick marker is located on the right side of the path after road crossing from front field. 4k Marker The brick marker is located on the right side of the path after road crossing from front field. 3mi Marker The white paint marker is on the road below the finish line. Updated: 9/29/2014 8 of 9
5k Marker - Finishline The Finish line maker is a blue road mark adjacent from the opposite edge of the guardrail. Updated: 9/29/2014 9 of 9