Lesnes Abbey 5 (Ray Marshall Memorial)
Sunday 14th December 2025
Plumstead Runners invite you to run the Lesnes Abbey 5 – a race that takes you up, down and around the brutal but beautiful trails of Lesnes Abbey woods.
We are proud of being a friendly club and our volunteers look forward to welcoming you to this unique event.
Counting down to race time!
EVENT HQ:
Plumstead Runners Marquee - located near the Chestnuts Kiosk (see Key 10 on the map below).
RACE BIB/NUMBER COLLECTION:
Race bibs/numbers can be collected between 10-10:30am on Sunday 14th December 2025 from the Plumstead Runners Marquee.
Please note: We encourage runners to bring their own safety pins - but we will have back-ups if required.
BAG DROP:
Race bibs/numbers will come with a bag drop tag which you can attach to a regular rucksack sized bag to leave at the Plumstead Runners Marquee.
Please note: Use of the Bag Drop facility is entirely at your own risk. Please do not leave any valuables in your drop bag.
START TIME:
The race will start at 11:00am.
RACE START AREA:
Located between Key 10 and the ‘Mosaic’ on the map below
RACE LOCATION:
Lesnes Abbey Woods
New Road
London
SE2 0AX
DIRECTIONS:
Lesnes Abbey Woods is only 10 minutes walk from Abbey Wood Train Station.
By car
Lesnes Abbey is situated off the B213 Abbey Road, Abbey Wood. Limited parking can be found on Abbey Road and New Road, SE2.
There is also a car park at Gayton Road, Abbey Wood, SE2 9HA
By train
The nearest railway station is Abbey Wood Station (Elizabeth Line, South Eastern, Thameslink).
By bus
The park is on bus routes 229, 469, 310 and B11. Bus route 99 serves the woodlands via the Woolwich Road entrance.
FACILITIES:
TOILETS:
Public toilets are located by the kiosk (see Key 10 on map below).
CHANGING:
Unfortunately, there are no changing or showering facilities available at this event.
REFRESHMENTS:
Chestnuts Kiosk serves hot drinks and snacks available to purchase, open from 9am (see Key 10 on the map below)
WATER STATION:
Please bring your own water to suit your needs for before, during and after the race.
To keep waste and costs down, water will not be provided before, during or after the race.
THE COURSE:
This is a 5 mile-ish cross-country course. Elevation is in the region of 350m or 1150ft.
Please note the distance and elevation have not been officially measured or verified.
The course starts on gravel before entering the woods, where it is all off-road trails. There will likely be hazards such as slippery mud/steps/slopes, tree roots and general woodland debris. We will do our utmost to limit hazards, but as a competitor you are responsible for your own welfare on the course.
We recommend wearing trail running shoes.
CUT OFF TIME:
The course is designed to be twisting, hilly and challenging. There is a 90-minute cut off time to finish and a tail runner will set the cut-off pace.
TIMING:
This will be a mass start event with manual timing. Finishing times will be published on the Plumstead Runners website within 24hrs of the race.
RACE MEMENTOES:
Race Mementoes will be awarded to the first three males and females respectively. No other prizes/awards/medals are included to help keep costs and waste down.
AGE REQUIREMENT:
In accordance with UKA Rules you must be aged 20 or more on the day of the race.
USE OF HEADPHONES:
Guidance from the UKA prohibits the use of headphones on all trail or cross-country events.
REFUNDS:
Unfortunately we cannot offer refunds but please see below re: Transferring your place
TRANSFERRING YOUR PLACE TO SOMEONE ELSE:
We don't operate a waiting list, but transfers will be accepted up until 30th November 2025.
How to transfer your entry to someone else:
- Login to Racesignup
- Against your entry tap Transfer
- Provide the email address of the person who is taking your place
- They will get an email with instructions on how to take up their place. You will get a copy of that email.
Please note you are responsible for any transaction between you and the person taking your place.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
By entering the race you accept these terms and conditions. If you complete the race entry on behalf of another, you accept these terms and conditions on their behalf.
