Accessibility Policy

1. Policy Statement

The Blaydon Race is organised by Blaydon Harriers & Athletics Club and is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible race for all participants.

The Race recognises its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to disability and will take reasonable steps to avoid placing disabled participants at a substantial disadvantage.

The Race will proactively consider accessibility and potential barriers to participation when planning each event and will work with disabled applicants and participants to identify and, where reasonably practicable, implement appropriate reasonable adjustments.

The Race recognises that the Blaydon Race is a road race conducted on public roads, public rights of way and other areas that are subject to operational, environmental and safety constraints. Not every requested adjustment will necessarily be possible or reasonable in the circumstances.

Where a requested adjustment cannot reasonably be provided, the Race will explain the reasons for that decision and, where appropriate, consider whether an alternative arrangement may achieve the same or a similar outcome.

2. Accessibility and Reasonable Adjustments

Disabled athletes are encouraged to tell the Race about any barriers they may experience or access requirements they may have during the application process, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.

Providing this information in advance enables the Race Organiser to consider requirements and, where necessary, discuss appropriate arrangements with the athlete.

Examples of adjustments that may be considered include, but are not limited to:

• adjustments to the athlete's start position;

• permission for an appropriate supporting runner;

• additional time or alternative completion arrangements where reasonably practicable;

• adjustments to access arrangements at the start or finish;

• provision of accessible facilities;

• adjustments to race procedures or communications;

• alternative arrangements to address particular course barriers; and

• other reasonable measures identified through discussion with the athlete.

Each request will be considered individually. The Race will consider whether an adjustment is effective in addressing the disadvantage experienced by the athlete and whether it is reasonable in the circumstances.

In determining whether an adjustment is reasonable, the Race will consider factors including the effectiveness of the proposed adjustment, safety, practicality, the nature of the course and event, available resources, operational requirements, the potential impact on other participants and any alternative arrangements that may achieve the same objective.

Where the Race is responsible for providing a reasonable adjustment, it will not normally require the disabled participant to meet the cost of that adjustment.

3. Competitive Categories and Para-Athletes

The Blaydon Race currently operates male and female competition categories.

Disabled athletes are entitled to compete within the main race, subject to the applicable entry requirements and the reasonable-adjustment process outlined in this policy.

Participation in the main race and consideration of reasonable adjustments are not dependent upon an athlete holding a formal para-athletics classification.

Where appropriate, and where reasonably practicable, the Race may establish a separate disability or para-athletics competition category. Any such category will be subject to the applicable competition rules, eligibility requirements and practical requirements of the event.

The Race will not require an athlete to obtain a formal para-athletics classification simply in order to request or receive a reasonable adjustment.

Where a separate competitive category is provided, the Race will communicate the applicable eligibility requirements and competition arrangements to participants.

4. Supporting Runners

Some disabled athletes may require another person to provide physical, visual, navigational or other support during the race.

Where a disabled athlete would otherwise be placed at a substantial disadvantage, the Race will consider whether permitting a supporting runner is an appropriate reasonable adjustment.

Where a supporting runner is permitted:

• the supporting runner must comply with all race instructions and safety requirements;

• the supporting runner must not obstruct or unfairly impede other competitors;

• the supporting runner will not be considered a separate competitor;

• the supporting runner will not normally be eligible for an individual race position, ranking or prize; and

• the arrangement should be agreed with the Race Organiser in advance wherever reasonably practicable.

The Race will discuss the proposed method of support with the athlete where necessary.

The Race may require an alternative arrangement where the proposed method of support presents an unacceptable safety or operational risk, having considered whether another reasonable means of support could achieve the same objective.

Requests involving assistance dogs will be considered separately, taking account of applicable accessibility requirements, competition rules and safety considerations.

5. Course Conditions and Accessibility

The Blaydon Race takes place on public roads and public rights of way.

The course contains a number of features that participants may be required to negotiate, including uneven or unmade surfaces, potholes, kerbs, changes in level, road furniture, narrow sections and other natural or temporary obstacles.

The Race will take reasonable steps to identify and address known accessibility barriers where this is reasonably practicable.

The Race does not have permanent control or ownership of all areas used by the course and has access to roads and rights of way for a limited period around the event. Consequently, it may not be possible to remove, alter or avoid every physical feature of the course.

Where the Race does not have authority to alter or remove a particular physical feature, it will nevertheless consider whether a reasonable alternative means of access, adjustment or participation can be provided.

Where a particular course feature creates a substantial disadvantage for a disabled participant, the Race will consider whether the feature can reasonably be removed or altered, or whether an alternative arrangement or other reasonable adjustment can be provided.

Information about significant known course conditions will be made available to participants where reasonably practicable.

6. Race Safety and Completion Time

The Blaydon Race operates within a defined period during which roads and public rights of way are subject to race management arrangements.

All competitors must comply with instructions from race officials, marshals and emergency services.

The event may be subject to a defined operating period or completion arrangements. These may be necessary to enable the Race to safely manage the course, maintain appropriate medical and emergency arrangements, and return roads and rights of way to the relevant authorities.

Where a disabled athlete may require additional time or an alternative completion arrangement because of their disability, the Race will consider in advance whether a reasonable adjustment can be made.

This may include consideration of whether additional time, an alternative finishing arrangement or another method of managing the participant's completion can reasonably be provided.

Any adjustment remains subject to the Race's ability to maintain a safe environment for the participant, volunteers, emergency services, other competitors and members of the public.

Where the Race determines that a requested adjustment to completion arrangements cannot reasonably be provided, it will explain the relevant operational or safety considerations and, where appropriate, discuss possible alternatives with the athlete.

7. Individual Assessment Process

Where a disabled applicant or participant identifies an access requirement, the Race Organiser will, where necessary, discuss the requirement with the individual and consider what reasonable adjustment may be appropriate.

The assessment will consider:

• the individual's stated requirements and the disadvantage they may experience;

• the proposed adjustment;

• the course and event environment;

• safety considerations;

• the effectiveness and practicality of the adjustment;

• available resources;

• operational requirements;

• the potential impact on other participants; and

• any alternative arrangements that may achieve the same objective.

The Race will seek to reach a suitable arrangement with the athlete wherever reasonably practicable.

Where an adjustment is agreed in advance, the Race will, where reasonably practicable, confirm the arrangement and any relevant conditions or safety requirements to the athlete before the event.

Where the Race determines that a requested adjustment cannot reasonably be provided, the athlete will be informed at the earliest practical opportunity and, where appropriate, alternative arrangements will be discussed.

The Race will keep appropriate records of accessibility requests and agreed arrangements in accordance with its data-protection obligations.

8. Welfare and Accessible Facilities

Temporary welfare facilities are provided at the start and finish areas.

Accessible toilet facilities will be provided at designated locations.

The Race will consider accessibility when planning start, finish, spectator and welfare arrangements and will provide information about available facilities in advance of the event where reasonably practicable.

Participants may contact the Race Organiser in advance if they require information about accessibility arrangements or have a particular access requirement relating to the start, finish or welfare facilities.

9. Medical and Emergency Information

Participants are encouraged to provide relevant medical information during the application process where they believe it may assist the Race Emergency Medical Services in responding appropriately to an emergency.

Information provided for this purpose will be handled in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements and the Race's privacy arrangements, and will only be shared with those who require it for race safety, medical response or emergency purposes.

Participants with relevant medical conditions may also wish to wear an appropriate medical identification device.

Medical information is separate from the Race's process for considering disability-related accessibility and reasonable adjustments. Providing medical information does not replace the need to notify the Race of any accessibility requirement or reasonable adjustment that may be required.

10. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Information provided by participants in relation to disability, accessibility requirements or medical conditions will be treated sensitively and processed in accordance with applicable data-protection legislation and the Race's privacy notice.

Information will only be accessed or shared where necessary for the purposes of considering and implementing reasonable adjustments, delivering the event safely, responding to an emergency or meeting other applicable legal obligations.

Access to such information will be restricted to authorised personnel who have a legitimate need to receive it.

Information will not be retained for longer than is necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, subject to any applicable legal, regulatory or insurance requirements.

11. Review and Feedback

The Blaydon Race welcomes feedback from disabled athletes and participants regarding accessibility and reasonable adjustments.

Where a participant believes that their accessibility requirements have not been appropriately considered, they may contact the Race Organiser to request a review.

The Race will seek to respond to accessibility concerns as soon as reasonably practicable and will use feedback and experience from each event to improve accessibility arrangements for future races.

Accessibility enquiries and requests for reasonable adjustments should be made using the contact details published by the Race Organiser.

12. Version control and review

Policy: The Blaydon Race Accessibility Policy
Data Controller: Blaydon Harrier and Athletics Club (BHAC)
Version: 2
Effective date: September 2026