My Event Ratings

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Organisation at start is atrocious - runners safety is compromised, HSE could have a field day with what was going on yesterday!
In full: It was 7 years since I last did the GNR and I really noticed the effects of the increase in runner numbers. The start was a disgrace and needs sorted out, perhaps as per FLM with 2 or 3 start areas and the race merging at some later point. Runner safetly is not only an issue at the start but the whole way round (those who stop suddenly, walk, etc - as well as those looking to make up time and weaving in and out to get past folk cause untold chaos, most of them without even realising it!!).

Finish fairly poorly organised - if they wanted to keep the finishing line clear why did they have people waiting to take your chip off you so close to the finish line, these people could easily have been another 100m back from the finish!!

And so much for extra Metro trains (supposedly every 3 mins) back from South Shields. They were at least every 10-12 mins if not longer!

Agree with many of the comments posted here that the GNR team need to make their mind up if this is an "event" or a "run" - runner safety is being compromised greatly by the numbers they allow to enter.

But despite all of what I've said and a miserable run and PW - it is still a great day and the people of Tyneside come out to support it year and after year and make the GNR what it is - a great day out!
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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