The best organised race

I would like to nominate the London to Brighton race for a 'Best Orgnised Race of the Year' Oscar, if such a thing existed. There can't be many races which have such well equipped feed stations, accurate mile markers, give a medal at the end, lay on a meal, provide transport back to the start, send a quality photo and certificate along with a full set of results including the split times. You even get the option of buying a video of it! Flora London Marathon eat your heart out! Who would you nominate for the Oscar for Best Organised Race?

2 for me

Paddock Wood 1/2m
New Forest marathon

No major reasons why, they just did the basics right on the whole, though Tunbridge Wells 1/2m was also well-organised if memory serves me well.

The inaugural Baxters Loch Ness Marathon.

Being bussed to the start in the middle of nowhere was a novelty. Hot meal, soup, drinks and even a bar at the finish. A goody bag that probably cost the entry fee to put together - including Medal, mug, T Shirt, Energy Bars, Noddle Soup!, Chutney!(still enjoying that one).

2 Drinks stations every 2.5-3 miles, one for water & one for Lucozade sport.

This probably won't beat Ian's nomination for the L to B; but it's got to be up there.

They even managed to keep the rain away and make the sun shine. Brilliant !!!

Another vote for New Forest, although I've only done the half.

So what are our criteria for a good event?

- advance info & easy booking process
- signage near the event & car parking
- number/quality of toilets at start/end
- baggage safety
- on the day registration process & speed
- clear starting line with room for the slower runners to actually get to the back, or accurate time zoning for larger races
- starting on time
- wide enough open road/space for first, say, 400-800 metres for people to settle down
- clear lead vehicle/motorbike is possible for leading runners (ideally with official time showing)
- directional signs & marshalls at all junctions/turns
- well briefed marshalls who know how to control runners & traffic and also what to do in an emergency
- medical services available throughout race
- accurate distance markers at every mile/km as appropriate
- clearly marked finish line
- sufficient funnels to avoid queueing before finish line
- prompt, accurate time & position recording
- lots of readily & quickly available water for runners at end
- medical services available at end of race
- contents of goody bag for finishers
- changing facilities
- refreshments available after race
- prompt announcement of official times/placing
- if appropriate, clear good quality photos of finishers which are delivered when they say they will be
- smiling organisers/marshalls/helpers

Strewth we don't look for much from a group of largely volunteers who give up their own running time so we can have prance around do we?