The Standard Chartered Great City Race Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (23 votes). | 1 to 10 of 23 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 |
| The big picture (23 votes) | | Overall score | | 71% | | How many would do it again? | | 85% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 71% | | PB potential | | 65% | | Atmosphere | | 71% | | Organisation | | 68% | | Value | | 57% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 83% |
|
|
2009 race reviewed by: Alex Marples
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: July 17, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: Andreia
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: very good race, organisation, but no water
In full: at 2.5k would of been nice to have the option for some water, i had brought my own drink but it finished very early. very good organisation, very big crowds, very good km markers.
Date of review: July 17, 2009
|
2009 race reviewed by: eyedubya
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: you need to be in the right place for a good start if you do it's pancake flat and PB heavenn
In full: 2nd year here - Brilliant atmosphere at start and finish - the band was a great touch this year - fantastic start and finish venue at the Honourable Artillery Company Ground slap bang in the heart of the City. The only critcism is that the course is very tight in places. They have 3 separate start pens based on estimated finishing time submitted with entries. The entry to the fastest pen is strictly controlled. Despite all this there are still lots of people going backwards in the first km and frustrated barging very quick runners who didn't submit an estimated time so had to start in the slower pens. Ran a PB but it still had a 2 at the front of it. Next year. . .
Date of review: July 17, 2009
|
2008 race reviewed by: Hills of Death (HOD)
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: PB if you get a good start
In full: I got an elite start through the company. Got a PB and not even running well. Pleased. It is crowded at the start you need to sprint away from them ;). Bargain as the company paid for it !
Date of review: August 4, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: AJPAR
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race and well organised.
Date of review: July 25, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: david lANFRANCHI
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great Event so long as you don't care about your time
Date of review: July 21, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Alex Marples
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great - but be realistic about what to expect.
In full: This is a pretty special race, its fun to run on the closed city streets (but don't expect sightseeing) and obviously convenient for 1000s of city workers! BUT - its 6500 runners in a 5k, so unless you're in the sub 21 minute 'elite' pen, you can prob forget a pb, or even a race time you're happy with because of over-crowding . If ur fine just to run 'for the fun of it' then enter with friends or colleagues and take your time, the HAC venue is great, with food & band etc. Newbies will be amazed theres such a big green area right in the heart of the city, enjoy its sumptuous turf while you can!
Date of review: July 21, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Anabel123
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Overcrowded, congested, good atmosphere
In full: The pre-race organisation impressed me about this event, but the start left a lot to be desired. Couldn't run properly for the early proportion of the race due to too many people and walkers mixed with runners. 5K too short a distance to be waiting for the field to spread-out. In saying that, sort out the congestion and it would be an excellent event - great support all the way round etc.
Date of review: July 21, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: GRS
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very very overcrowded...
In full: While it's nice to have the opportunity to run around the centre of London, this race was ruined by overcrowding. For the first couple of kilometers it was necessary constantly to stop and start and even walk in some places, meaning that unless you manage to start near the front there's no chance of recording a fast time. Things opened up a little over the last three kilometers, but running in zigzags past the numerous walkers was still required. Having said that, if your intention is simply to get around the course and you don't care about your time then this race would be a lot of fun. The organisation was fine, although perhaps letting people through the start more slowly would ease the congestion, and from what I heard several people tripped over bumps in the mat covering the start line and fell, which was pretty dangerous given the crowds.
Date of review: July 18, 2008
|
2008 race reviewed by: Scott Johnston 4
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Expensive and crowded ... maybe worth it
In full: This is a race consisting of various company teams held in the City. Given that there are around 6500 entrants, the streets are very crowded and there is not much potential for a PB, even if you are near the front of the first pack. The worst points are at Bank underground at around 3k and the roundabout at London Wall at 4k where people just seemed to just drift into a slower pace due to the bottlenecks.
That said, great race and well organised. Given the steep cost, it would be nice to have a secured baggage area as part of the entry fee, and directions to public transport links at the end of the race, as a few stations were closed at only 8pm!
Date of review: July 18, 2008
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
