Centenary Run / Walk Instructions

The Course

The course is 5000m (5k) long. This has been accurately measured by a professional measuring wheel. The course is in Ecos Park, Ballymena. The course is run mainly on tarmac footpaths. Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain. Dependent on availability, marshals will be at key sections of the course, or signs will be in place.

Please remember that the run/walkwill use shared paths. For the continued success of the event, please give way to other park users. This won't impact your time, it won't stop you from getting a PB and it will make sure everyone continues to enjoy the event.

Please, wherever possible walk, jog, cycle or use public transport when attending the event. If you do have to drive, please consider car-sharing to reduce our impact on both the environment and other park users. Please also watch out for other park users when arriving and leaving. Parking may be limited so try to arrive early.

Post Run/WalkRefreshments

All participants are invited for a complimentary tea/coffee/bun in The Secret Garden Café in the Ecos Hub.

Course Safety

We wish to make the event as safe as possible, so participants, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

• Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.

• Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied (within arm's reach) throughout the event by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent's choice.

• Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.

• Take care near roads and car parks – some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you are driving to the event, please drive carefully even if you are late!

• Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, park animals, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.

• Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us.

• If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.

• If you are watching, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.

• It is not permitted to run with a pushchair and a dog at the same time.

• Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Consider protecting yourself by wearing repellent when atgrassy areas. See lymediseaseuk.com for further details.

• You are welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. Please also see this Support Site entry for further details about running with dogs.

• Participants pushing buggies are welcome, but please take care of others around you and do your best to start at an appropriate place in the field for your pace.

We hope these tips help to ensure that our Centenary Run/Walk is fun and safe for everyone.

Course Map

https://tinyurl.com/Centenary-Run-Map

Course Description

Ecos Park is an oasis of wildlife close to the heart of Ballymena town centre. Eight kilometres of mostly flat footpath lead visitors around 220 acres of parkland that includes woodland, lake, wetlands and meadows in the floodplain of the Braid River.

The run/walk course is marked by permanent yellow topped posts for directions and each kilometre. The start is at the Visitor Centre where there is a map of the course. The first loop of the run/walk course sets off past the lake towards the Ballykeel Bridge where you cross the Braid River. The route follows the river upstream past wetlands and crosses the Millennium footbridge. You then follow the other bank downstream for a while before turning back to the Visitor Centre. The second loop takes participants alongside meadows grazed by Irish moiled cattle before looping back past the lake to finish where you started.

Facilities

Toilets: Toilets are available 300m from the start line, follow the sign or ask for directions.

Location of start

The run starts at the Visitor Centre.

Getting there by public transport

Ballymena Bus and Rail Station is 2.3 km away.https://tinyurl.com/Translink-Journey-Planner

Getting there on foot

Ecos Park can be accessed on foot from several points. The distance to Ecos Centre is: Seven Towers Leisure Centre 1.8 km, Ballykeel 0.75 km, Suffolk St 0.5km. Some parts of the park are isolated so you may want to walk with others. The Ecos Cycle Trail, a 17 mile cycle route between Ballymena and Glenarm passes through Ecos Park. The route which is posted as National Cycle Network Route 97 links with Broughshane 3.5 miles away - see the sustrans website for more information.

Getting there by road

Ecos Centre is well posted with brown tourist signs from the approaches to Ballymena. The park entrance is on BroughshaneRoad and parking is available at the centre. Note there is a height restriction of 2m for vehicles in the car park. Alternative parking is available at the Showgrounds (about 8 minutes walk to the Centre).

If using SATNAV, the nearest postcode is BT43 7QA.