Kilomathon London 26.2

@Jogging Hippo-- yes agreed about the shuttle.  I was planning to leave my car at the start, and hubby was going to come to support near the end and pick me up / drop me back at my car.  We live quite nearby.  I've just found out from their FB page that he won't be able to park at the finish, and they're advising that he too (plus kids) pays for a shuttle! grrrr... all of a sudden it's all looking like  a lot of hassle!

First impressions of today's event:

- Bravo to the marshalls and drink station helpers for standing out in the cold for hours whilst we enjoyed our hobby.

- I enjoyed running through the country park, with the canal towpaths too, made me feel at home!

Unfortunately for me, that's the last happy thought about today's event. Why did they only provide a single bus, that held about 20 people!  Standing in the cold, after a long run, is not anyone's idea of fun. Apparently the driver was on a "break".  Couldn't have have taken the break when the runners were out on the course, rather than at the point when they need the bus?

I met a couple of others who didn't bother waiting, and we luckliy bagged a taxi within a few minutes of leaving the park.

Unless the organisation of the finish location improves, i won't return tio this event.

I second your first impressions, if you know what I mean, a big thank you to the marshalls and helpers most of whom looked frozen but smiled nevertheless. Also a nice flat, mainly traffic free course, in a countryside setting so what could possibly go wrong.......

Why finish a race in an empty field miles from anywhere anyway, then mess up the transport.  There where two buses ( max capacity 30 persons each), however one of the buses could not depart for 30 mins because the driver was over his driving limit on the buses tachometer and he was obliged to have a 30 break, so for the first half hour only 30 people were taken back to the start. Even with both buses running the round trip was 30 mins so the most people that could havve been transported in an hour was 120. I wouldn't have liked to have been at the back of the queue and just think if it had been raining too. As I'm sure the organizers will be monitoring any feedback I think we can all look forward to getting our £3s back by way of apology.

Oh, also anyone know if there were any prizes?. I came first in my age group but no one seemed to know.

Thanks  John - yeah good question -why in that field?

It's bad enough for us Kaza but we choose to run.  For supporters it could put them off coming to watch again.

I remember soon after the start seeing the Supporters Bus stuck in a queue of traffic.  Probably not an issue for those supporting the 26.2 runners, but a real risk of them missing the finish of any faster runners in the 13.1 event.

It's a shame that what could be a very unique (and popular) event, is ruined by shoddy organisation.

I did get a PB though!!  (First time at this distance.)

It must the caffine kicking in on a Monday, but the more I think about this the nore I feel angry.

Has anyone e-mailed the organisers to complain?  I will, and I'm interested to see how they respond.

Thanks Anna

I was tempted to have lie-in too as I got back from a party at 1am.  Trying to get the black& white "skull" facepaint off at that time (and after some beers ) was hilarious.

I think I still had some around my eyes so I probably looked even wierder than normal yesterday.

Feedback sent - let's see what comes back...........

As I've already said on the other thread.

Stick to events organised by running clubs; your money isn't then paying someones salary. Money spent on the race is £ out of their pocket.

There are now too many races that are organised by "professionals" who would struggle to find their ar*ehole with two hands and a mirror. There are some good ones but they usually have the full support of local running clubs who provide the marshalls, officials, etc.

One piece of good news I complained and have just been offered a refund for transport.  

Kaza, thats good but  we shouldn't have  to complain before we get a refund, the first thing they should have done was to refund all transport money without being asked,

As for value for money it's a joke, a couple of years ago I did an "ultra" 40 mile  with the Long Distance Walkers Association (runners welcome). There were 5 check points all with tea, coffee, cake and sandwiches plus a pasta meal at the finish, cost.. £9.00.

Just complained via the feedback form.

The transport was appalling.  If the driver had to have a break due to "health and safety" not much "health and safety" was given to the runners standing out for over 90 mins in the cold.  Well done to the First aiders giving out the tin foil to keep us warm. Also well done to the girl organising the queue to the best she could whilst getting a stream of abuse from us all.  She should not have been put in that position.  The trip back to the water centre to wait in the "warm" and then being told to get out of reception as we were crowding the facility were pure comedy when i look back at it now.

Also what happened to the t-shirt?  I had to fill in the size I wanted on the entry form.  If I am being told that this was replaced by the very poor quality watch, that stopped working within a minute of being opened then I feel that I have been massively ripped off with the entry fee.

I entered the first Kilomathon 2 years ago - Notts to Derby.  It was excellent.  This race, whilst enjoyable from my own perspective (a great run by my own standards) does not compare.  Yes it was cold and miserable, but things like the pathetic watch, and the wait for the bus (which would have been better if I had my finishing t-shirt on as an extra layer) made it even more miserable.

I've not even bothered with the crappy watch.  I'd forgotten that we were "promised" a t-shirt too....

I would have liked a t-shirt...did anyone get haribo's? call it curiosity

Yes I got Haribos

I did too - and two " Eat Natural" bars.  Altrhough I've just looked at those and their "use-by" date is today!! Bloomin' cheapskates..........