Frank Luzmore Memorial Marathon

Disposable drink bags or any other items of personal kit must not be discarded anywhere on the course or the race site. The penalty for non-compliance with this rule, whether by the competitor or their support crew, is immediate disqualification.

Important Safety Notes

Please use this telephone number to report retirements or any emergencies on the day – 0750 4743275. Please do not use this for any other purposes.

The race organisers reserve the right to CANCEL the event up to and including on the day in the case of an incident, emergency or conditions. We will do our best to notify team leaders but please check the website for the latest information.

Should circumstances require the ABANDONMENT of the race whilst in progress, the following procedure will apply

• Crews on hearing continuous short blasts on air horns and/or seeing marshals waving red flags will immediately STOP. They will wait to be instructed on how and where to proceed by a marshal. Crews must be aware that other crews may not have heard or seen the warnings and must pass on instructions received to any such crew who they see still racing.
• Depending on crews’ locations, whether or not the Race has started, and the number of crews still being marshalled, they may be asked to either paddle to a specified get-out point or turn towards one of the banks and await further instructions.

Competitors should be aware that the lower Thames can be busy with pleasure cruisers, rowers and other craft. Competitors must be mindful of these and other hazards. Competitors must follow any direction given by Port of London Authority Officers, Environment Agency Officials or Race Marshals.

All portages are over boat rollers and may be slippery. Care should be taken while getting in and out. Please do not run over the rollers.

Competitors must provide support to any other paddler in distress and should attempt to raise the attention of one of the safety boats or Marshals along the course.

The River Thames can experience sudden increases in pollution, especially after heavy rainfall. Any paddler who feels ill after the race should draw this to the attention of their medical practitioner.

Canoeing and Kayaking in all its forms is an ‘Assumed Risk – Water Contact’ sport. The organisers have done their very best to provide a safe racing environment, but competitors are reminded of their duty of care to themselves and all other competitors. Safety is a shared responsibility.