Les Witton Memorial Dartford 10Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (395 votes). | 1 to 10 of 23 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 |
| The big picture 2011 (23 votes) | | Overall score | | 86% | | How many would do it again? | | 96% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 77% | | PB potential | | 55% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 87% | | Value | | 78% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 67% |
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2011 race reviewed by: Dave Behagg
 | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: |
In short: Race Director Response to Comments
In full: Hi Everyone, thanks for all the positive comments, and also a few good points to pick up for future races. Apologies for not having the chip timing, and thanks for everyones' understanding about this, we fully intend to have it back next year.
I don't like to respond to comments that are matters of opinion (eg: whether the t-shirt and medal were good or naff)...although of course we put all comments into the decision making mix for future years.
However, I do like to respond to technical questions or on points of fact.
- We had water stations at 3.6 and 7.2 (this is a gap of 3.6 miles, not the 5 miles supposed by one correspondent.
- The potential crossing of the road by footbridge at 8 miles in order to run on the pavement that is far more constant on the right hand side was seriously discussed before the 2008 race (my first as RD). A complete novice then (still a relative one now!) I was advised by experienced colleagues, and I quickly came to strongly agree, that the problems and risks associated with crossing the race back over at the top of Green Street Green Rd near the Leigh Academny were far greater than managing the race on left hand side throughout, in spite of the lack of pavement in places and the challenge posed by the Darenth Hill junction. The police are also in agreement with this position. Furthermore it is unlikely that we would be allowed to operate an effective crossing at circa 9.75miles given the impact on traffic in the vicinity of the motorway junction. I note it was a back of the field runner who made this comment, and I think this is understandable, given that the downside of running that section on the left as we do is experienced most severely by those runners who aren't 'protected by the thick of the field' and therefore may be the first runner a motorist sees (albeit a motorist could not get to any of the sections in question without seeing signs and marshalls).
Thanks again to everyone who ran, and for all your helpful comments.
Dave Behagg
Date of review: April 12, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Nick Troon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely scenery and well organised.
In full: Only hiccup was no chips, but that did not matter as the race was well organised and the reason completely understandable, well done!!
Date of review: April 11, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: SilkTork
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Cracking run - shame about the traffic
In full: I loved this run. Good venue for the start and finish. Bananas and sports drinks and a medal and t-shirt. Bargain! Great atmosphere.
The route is very similar to the Dartford Half - though the start is from a different venue, and the course goes through an industrial estate before joining the main road. It's then almost the same until the final hill, apart from taking a slightly different (longer) route through the country lanes at one point.
On the long main road leading to the hill, the Half is organised so the road is crossed by the foot bridge and you run safely on pavement all the way. This 10 is organised slightly differently so you have to run in the road for about half a mile. There were sometimes cones and sometimes not. But there was always a lot of traffic, including large articulated lorries. And then up the final hill, the route goes round a blind bend. I don't like to be on a road with my back to the traffic. I have met two runners who were hit in the back by traffic while on organised runs. One is still running, but suffers constant pain, the other now does wheelchair races only. If doing this run again, I would be inclined to run on the pavement, and on the side of the road where I am facing the traffic. Though I would prefer if the organisers altered the route slightly to reduce the risk of runners being hit.
My other, more minor quibble, is that at one point I was the final runner, and the police van followed me a little too close for comfort.
Those quibbles aside, I loved this run, and I was pleased with my time of 1.46. I had aimed roughly at 1.45 (not wanting to push too hard as I'm now tapering for London) and would have made it if not for that final hill!
Date of review: April 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Kazza2Cats
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: Perfect weather. Good race with some challenging hills. Marshalls done a great job and there was plenty of them. Luckily I carried my own drink as the 2 water stops wouldn't of been enough especially as it was in cups. Shame about the chip timing not being there on the day. Medal and T.Shirt was a bit naff.
My husband took lots of photos so if anyone wants me to email one of them let me know what your number was and finish time and I will have a look to see if there is one of you.
kazza2cats@hotmail.com
Date of review: April 9, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: SGB1953
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well-organised nice course
In full: Thanks to Dartford Roadrunners for this excellent 10 mile race. I thought this was really well-organised and a pleasure to take part in. The weather was excellent, and started my tan for the year.
It was disappointing to have no chip timing. I guess I had been told beforehand about this but had missed it so it came as a bit of a surprise on the day.
The other odd feature was that the starter with his megaphone was in a slightly unequal competition with the PA system from the football stadium which was playing rather loud music over his announcements.
Thanks to the marshalls for being very cheerful, helpful and numerous. Everything went really well, the bag checking was really well-staffed and fast. The drinks and bananas at the end were easy to get at and plentiful. The bananas were ripe, which is not always easy to organise.
Dartford is lucky to have two stadiums so central. I must say I didn't realise the football club had such a big modern stadium. There seemed to be plenty of parking for the number of runners, if car-sharing was used. The other stadium is used by Dartford Harriers and has a rather enviable track and is the home of the (also excellent) Dartford Half-Marathon, which sadly I will miss this year.
The course started off in urban Dartford, indeed through an industrial estate, but within a mile or so the scenery was much more pleasant. Towards the end the traffic felt a bit closer to me than ideal and at this point maybe the odd extra marshall might have helped. Overall though the scenary was pretty good.
The hills. I wasn't really running fast but I didn't think the hills were quite as bad as some had suggested. According to my Garmin there were three main hills. One started at about 3.87km and finished at 4.41km climbing 27metres. The second started at 5.39km and finished at 8.75km climbing 55metres, The third started at 14.74km and finished at 15.78km climbing 24 metres. I must say the first and last felt steeper than my Garmin indicated!
This wasn't really a race for me as I ran it as 10 miles of my last 12 mile marathon tempo run before Brighton marathon. It did that job very well, especially as the warm-up area enabled me to run my two extra miles before the start.
If I can get there next year, I'll be there again, hopefully to race it if it's back to a January date.s before the start.
Date of review: April 8, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Knockoff NC
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Challenging but fun
In full: This is one if not the best organised run I have been to, despite chip issue. An interesting, challenging and picturesque course, nice distnace. One minor gripe prob could have done with a water stop between 3 and 8 miles. But banana's, medal, lucozade & water at the finish as well as the now infamous long sleeve t-shirt. Top of the compliments has to go to the marshalls of which there were plenty and all very helpful, cheerful and supportive en route. see you next year, defo prefer the race later in the year rather than jan
Date of review: April 7, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: King of Tonga
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Brilliant organisation and excellent marshalls
In full: First ten miler and overall I was pleased with my time, the organisation was very good with all the marshals playing their part in controlling traffic and giving encouragement,
Date of review: April 6, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: SUZI
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised, great marshalls who were full of cheers
In full: My 1st 10mile race and it was a great one to pick. The marshalls were full of encouragement and cheered me on the whole way. Fab race.
Date of review: April 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: HOOVILLE WANDERER
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Heat took me by surprise,wish i had worn a vest.
In full: Great run,friendly people and alot of very good runners.Well organised and will be back next year.
Date of review: April 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Hill Monkey
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised, maybe some more drink stations next year?
Date of review: April 4, 2011
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