Les Witton Memorial Dartford 10Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (395 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Steven Bennett 3
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good stewarding, great weather, not sure about the bag
In full: Apprehensive after reading reviews from previous years but a nice challenging race. Hills probably weren't as bad as I thought. A bit dicey on the roads at times but I thought the marshalls were some of the best I have known running locally so thanks and well done
I do like my medals so a bit disappointed with the bag
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: mark baker 11
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: good challenging race!
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Karen Samuel
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Ay Caramba! Here's a great ice breaker, The Dartford 10 miles.
In full: If you are looking for a race to test drive your legs look no further: THIS IS THE ONE.
The Dartford 10 miles, also referred to as
Les Witton Memorial 10 miles, is situated in the garden of Ken – I mean the garden of Kent! The good news was that this race had the good old English CHIP TIMING.
The long and short is that Dartford is a tough 10 mile race and has a few nasty hills from
2½ up to the 5th/ 6th mile and one ghastly hill at the finish. This race will help face those demons, and to keep you on your toes. Muhammad Ali’s famous words sums it up well when he said you “float like a butterfly and sting like a beeâ€. That’s right Champ, on the flat you were floating gracefully but for those Kilimanjaro hills, especially the last hill, the pain was so much it put a sting in your tail, err your legs.
Runners World ‘I am truly blessed’ to run such wonderful races. Oooh ‘If you don’t know me by now’, I’m that female runner with the dodgy groins who runs marathons in 6 hours, and thinks she knows the best races in the Country!
Thanks to the lady for finding my car keys – I was putting on my chip timing and it just disappeared. I loved the last 4 Marshals near the finish. The young Girl and 2 Males and
Mr Chatty at the finish. You’re all hired!
Just one minor gripe, I am disappointed with the colour white for a one strap ruck sack, when there’s so many colours in the world!!
Here is a suggestion could the chip timing be posted to the runners with their numbers???
I’m a bit surprised that Dartford 10 did not make it to the top 50 UK Best Races for 2009, you got 74 ratings and that’s impressive. It deserves a place up there somewhere...over the rainbow.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Petts Wood Runners for being voted at number 30 UK Best 10k Race of 2009, rated by Runners World. I ran this race a couple of years ago with the Marshals. It is a great route, tough in places and has a lovely medal. Well done to all.
Well here are two more great races for your 2010 Runners World Diary: Sidcup 10 miles, 14th February, and Bromley Veterans 5 miles Famous Cross County – 13 March. Check out the pictures of myself and Connie on the BVAC entry form – I’m just kidding, but there’s a great likeness don’t you think. I will you keep posted about Orpington 10k soon. Please don’t forget to log on to Runners World Web site and rate these fabulous races.
‘This one’s for you’. Teddy Pendergrass, Singer and Songwriter.
26 March 1950 - 13 January 2010.
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: david ellingford 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: First half quite challenging with the hills but levels out for the back 5 miles and pleasant scenery, generally a good all rounder and very well organised throughout.
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Martin Cunningham
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
In short: Well organised and challenging start to the new year
In full: Excellent event and a great start to the new year of road racing.
Parking seemed a challenge but with nearly 1000 runners its not suprising that the race instructions were clear that an early arrival is required.
Interesting that although numbers were posted out the chip had to be collected but it was made efficient by combining it with bag storage. This worked well for me.
Course had ample marshalls and start and finish were well set up. Swift removal of chip and nice idea with the kit bag instead of medal or t-shirt.
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Stephen Smith 22
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: You earn your time on this course
In full: Good organisation and a testing course the hills though are in all the right places and it felt like a decent work out.
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: grandadnohair
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great morning's run, but not when your unfit!
In full: I enjoyed this run, which was only spoiled in that for various reasons (including snow) i've only got in a few miles training since Christmas, making this my slowest ever event pace-wise. Oops!
The marshals were great and encouraging. The water stations worked. And the hills were fun, except for the wicked drag up over the motorway at mile 9. Who put that there?!
But my big gripe is no medal! I've got several kit bags (without advertising on), but a medal makes a run unique and lasts. A kit bag (or T shirt) is normal, boring and wears out. Give me a medal, and I go away happy no matter what my time.
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Andy Stevens 3
| | 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: A course of two halves
In full: First time of doing this one although I had done the Dartford Half a few years back. The first half is more up than down with a couple of hills to negotiate. The second half is mainly downhill or flat with a great long downhill bit between miles 5-7. There is a sting in the tail though with a tough windy hill to nail at the 9 mile marker.
Marshalls very encouraging, very well organised overall and grabbed a PB today too so, although it is an undulating course, treat the early hills with respect and get your foot down on the downhills and a PB is on the cards.
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: shadyg
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised, well marshalled event, slightly challenging!!
In full: Some tough hills but some good down hill bits as well. Great weather, nice location, very well organised. Well done Dartford. Will be back to try again. As some others have mentioned, would prefer medal.
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: paul hutchins 10
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: January 17, 2010
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