Surrey Spitfire 20Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (116 votes). 2013 race reviewed by: BFP:-)
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A very well organised race... Will definitely be back.
In full: I as dreading 2 laps but somehow this course doesn't seem repetitive ... By the time you get out of the airfield second time round you only have roughly 7-8 miles to go. A very little hills that are quite challenging second time round which makes this a good prep run for a spring marathon. Loved the ease to park right next to start line, great stewards, fab water stations with energy gels, one of the best medals I've received lately, a friendly well-done handshake by the race director at the end and an easy exit to go home. What a great event indeed. Thank you.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Goalpost
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great race in itself and good warm up for marathon
In full: Few people out to cheer on the runners but the atmosphere was really nice, conversations flowed and a good social long run for the first 10 before most runners then went to work for the final 10. Plenty of space to overtake on the open public roads and the airfield start great for avoiding a congested start. I will be back to race another Events to Live event as it was organised by runners for runners. The no headphone rule made it the more sociable too. Undulations ideal for training and the headwind going east on the airfield was great preparation for Brighton seafront in April. Has the potential to be a popular race in years to come and the price was very reasonable. Only minor gripe was no date on the medal although the ribbon contained the date but like most runners I run for the enjoyment and a potential PB.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Mike Hill 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: What everyone else said: Excellent
In full: Great organisation. Great stewards. Course was tough (for me!) but really good. Car parking and facilities were excellent. Very welcoming - and while I dreaded the "no headphones" rule - it actually worked out really well - being able to chat to a few runners on the way round. Thanks to the organisers and volunteers.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Jonathan Britten
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great event for spring marathon
In full: This has my third year for this event. Very much enjoyed the two lap course. Will be back next year.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Cheryl Holder
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent organsation and ideal running conditions
In full: A very enjoyable event, excellently organised and an attractive course. I'd previously run it twice in the autumn (when they still did an autumn version) and got very cold and wet both times. It was a treat to run in dry conditions which were ideal for the distance. Starting on the airfield means there is plenty of space though by the second lap it felt as though we were never going to escape into the countryside. Thanks to all the wonderful and encouraging marshals for turning out on a cold day. As mentioned already, it was very nice to get a handshake from the race director as we crossed the line.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Christopher Brown 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superbly organised and very friendly race
In full: A very enjoyable event, excellently organised and an attractive course. Starting on the airfield means there is plenty of space and no crush at the beginning so you can easily hit your pace from the off. Thanks to all the cheerful and encouraging marshals for turning out on a cold day. Very nice to get a handshake from the race director as we crossed the line - can't remember that ever happening before. Well done everybody.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Owen Kimber
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice course with perfect organisation
In full: I think they are helped with the setting. By having the start / finish on a big airfield, it is easy to get cars parked next to the start and there is an easy get-away for the first 3 miles. But, it was really well organised with water / energy every 3 miles and supportive marshalls. I like the 2-lap format as you can focus on a negative split. The first 3 miles of the lap is on the airfield, but interesting when you run over Top Gear features like the hammerhead and gambon. Then it is out onto lovely, undulating surrey country lanes with a mixture of views and little traffic.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: DurbsDolly
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A few changes from previous years has changed my opinion in a good way!
In full: I took part in this event for the first time in 2011 as part of my spring marathon training. I can't say I was overly inspired to take part again, but as the main reason was beyond the organiser's control (bleak weather), I was tempted to give it another go. And I'm so glad I did...
Pre-race number collection was effortless, and this time, the collection point was stationed on the tarmac (as opposed to water-logged grass in 2011 from memory, which did little to inspire my frozen feet to move). An emergency visit to a rather lengthy toilet queue with 5 mins to go was no trouble at all - plenty facilities meant I was in, out & at the race start with 2 minutes to spare.
The first nearly 3 miles is all run on the race track before disappearing into the Surrey countryside. It is here that the mild undulations start but they are nothing to be concerned about. As much as there are uphills (maybe 4/5 in total for each 10 mile lap), there are some great downhills too. And the marshalls are really good at shouting words of encouragement along the way.
This was the first time I'd raced a 20 miler & managed to take 15 mins off my time, so a PB for me :) Whilst not pancake flat, I personally enjoy the variation the course has to offer & would say this has good PB potential.
A great finishing touch to the race was being greeted by the race organiser with a handshake & the words 'Well done, did you enjoy it?'. 'Absolutely' was my response.
A great big shiny medal, refreshments & chocolates on offer. A group of us gathered afterwards in one of the hangers where a selection of tea, coffee, bacon rolls & running gear was available. A great way to wind down after a race.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: FerrousFerret
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent marathon preparation event
In full: First time at this event for me. Loved it, easy number pickup, a chance to run around part of the Top Gear track and then out into the undulating minor roads around the area. Loads of marshals and enthusiastic drinks station helpers. The shiniest medal I've ever received at the end and a top bacon buttie from the guides. I'll be back.
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Helenjane007
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Flipping brilliant, again
In full: 2nd time of doing the 20 and have a 10 under my belt too. Gets better every time, perfect positioning of facilities and the best community support going. Like the airfield as a chance for a flat warm up, although it always means going off too fast.And when you're through it there's only 7 miles on country lanes with a few bumpy bits as they say. Blasting headwind appeared from nowhere on the 2nd lap but all the nicer to get out of it. Plentiful water stations, jelly sweets galore and gels on tap. Loved it. PB my 15 mins and literally swept off my feet by the RD at the finish. Hope his back's alright!!
Date of review: March 4, 2013
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