"Race for James" in memory of James BulgerHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (10 votes). | 1 to 10 of 10 ratings | Page: 1 |
| The big picture (10 votes) | | Overall score | | 54% | | How many would do it again? | | 45% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 84% | | PB potential | | 74% | | Atmosphere | | 62% | | Organisation | | 36% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 86% |
|
|
2011 race reviewed by: Conor McGarry 2
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: An enjoyable day even with the small hiccups!
In full: Really enjoyed this day, despite the small hiccups which occurred. Can understand some of the comments on this forum, but what people have to remember is that is was for a great cause, and therefore the organisers are NOT going to turn people away from registering on the day - so a delay of 30 odd minutes was not a problem for me.
Regarding the marshalling error, I was one of the runners mis-directed!...Unfortunate at the time, but to be fair to the organisers they rectified the mistake as soon as it was highlighted.
Anyway, no doubt the organisors will have learnt from the mistakes, so i'll be back next year!!!
Date of review: March 26, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: mark connor
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A fitting tribute and a chance for non runners to experience a race day atmosphere!
In full: Hi All, I was the race director on the day.
There was as mentioned a few issues, the delay at the start was down to a large number of on the day entries, the charity volunteers looked after the registration process and where not expecting the high volume that turned up on the day and so where ill prepared, this is an experience they will learn from and greatly improve upon for next year.
The distance, the course was in fact just over 5km however we experienced a issue with a marshal directing the runners in the wrong direction cutting the course short by at least 1km, we had 14 marshals on the 5km course next year to ensure this does not happen again we will have 28 marshals two at each marshal point and will run a practice run in the morning as part of the marshal briefing.
Other than them two issues which I agree where big issues the day was a success, awareness and much needed funds where raised for the charity "James bulger memorial trust" and you guys done that by doing something that you all love to do....by running!
So I say come back next year Race for James and let us deliver the experience that you deserved this time round, let us have the opportunity to change your opinion of this event and in doing so race much needed funds for the charity.
Please remember that the entry fee for this event goes directly to the charity, everyone involved in the delivery of the event has done so on a voluntary basis, and so if you are not thinking of running in it next year then why not volunteer to help out on the day?
I Hope that the running community will continue to lace up there trainers and support events like Race for James for many years to come.
Hopefully see you all next year.
Date of review: March 23, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: peter rittenberg
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: magnificent day
In full: I was shocked at some of the comments regarding this run, I would like to point out to these comments did you read the national and local papers,watch the television coverage and the feedback was excellent,Yes there was a few hiccups , but the reason us runners and walkers took part was for little James Bulger, So what if there was a slight delay or some went off course, I did this run with my family and freinds and they all enjoyed themselves, i can see this event getting bigger each year,Well done to the organisers i and my family and freinds will be back next year, The minutes applause for james was something special and to see the smile on james mum Denise after the race made my day.
Date of review: March 23, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: BobbyP
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good cause shame about the organization.
In full: As with the other comments I dont want to appear un-charitable, but this event could have been far better organised. There was no signage for the 'enter on the day', which was cramed into the corner of a very large field. They where not prepared for the number of people entering on the day, and therefore started over half an hour late. There are a number of events held on this private, traffic free private estate each year so there should have been no issues with measuring and marshalling the course. I was one of the front runners short changed by a mile, should have been no excuse really. I went out and did another 4 mile when I got home!
Date of review: March 21, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Peter Turner 3
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very poor organisation
Date of review: March 20, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Hairy Gibbon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A nice short run through the gounds at Knowsley Hall for a very good cause, well supported!
In full: Other than the slight marshalling error for us first few runners the event was very enjoyable. Lots of extra runners turned up on the day so there was a bit of a delay getting things started. Hopefully, like the guy with the mike said, everyone brings someone else with them next year and they raise twice the money for a worthy cause. Good luck for next year!!
My son even completed his first race, not bad for a 15 month old !!!!
Date of review: March 20, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Kenny Ireland
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Poor Organisation, but for a great cause.
In full: Organisation at the start was awful as they were not prepared for the entry on the day numbers that showed up.
That being said this was for a great cause so I didnt mind too much, however I was one of the first 50 directed the wrong way finishing at 2.01 miles (according to the garmin) this really dissapointed. As the other comments have stated next time I will probably just donate and go for a training run instead.
Date of review: March 20, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Big Al The Outlaw
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Disappointing despite being for a good cause.
In full: Due to the nature of this run it goes against the grain a little for me to note some failings of this event, however despite this, you have to remember that people are still paying their hard earned and are travelling to this event on a Sunday morning when a lot of people are still sleeping off their hangovers. It wasn't an horrendously organised event but there were definite problems, firstly the start of the event was 40 mins late, and then as if I wasn't already warm enough we were subjected to a short aerobic class style warm up which I actually didn't participate in as I couldn't have been any more ready to start. The real problem however was when I crossed the finish line at just over 14 mins, a definite PB and London 2012 beckoned I thought but unfortunately it was not an accurate account. I understand that the 5k distance was an estimate but I didn't think they would be about 1.5-2k out, apparently this was down to a marshalling issue which was rectified halfway through the event when a load of people had already finished. I was actually enjoying myself, despite the pain of a threshold race, until it all ended prematurely. Anyway, despite my misersable ramblings at least some funds were raised for a good cause (Organisational issues aside).
Date of review: March 20, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Elizabeth R
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Organisation let down what could have been a great race
In full: The emphasis was on the good cause with this race, and a great cause it was. most more experienced runners were left disappointed by the poor organisation, late start and badly measured route. I tracked it at about 4km and was one of first to be redirected the "right" way so the first 50 must only have done about 2miles. Probably a good event for those happy to walk/slow jog in fancy dress etc but not for people who train for events and wanted the full 5km! Would just donate next time rather than attend I think.
Date of review: March 20, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Craig Whittaker
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: For a great cause but very poorly organised!
In full: The race was for a great cause but the organisation was horrendous, race ended up starting over half an hour late and my partner and i, as we were near the front ended up getting direction the wrong way along with around 50 others and ended the race will still over a mile to go. This was not good, especially as the marshall then direction people the correct way!
Also not that i'm one for gifts but the goody bag was no where to be seen.
Would just give money if event was run again.
Date of review: March 20, 2011
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
