My Event Ratings

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

In short: Dodgy organisation but a flat course for real PB potential and quality goodies at the end.
In full: Before the race everyone congregated at the race HQ (Carterton leisure centre) and I am glad I got there early becasue as warned the car parking was limited and filled up quickly. There didn't seem to be anyone in charge of the proceedings, only one chap busy taking details from entrants on the day. This did lead to some general confusion as I have never been to a race before that did not have a pre-race brief. I was a little more annoyed though by the baggage arrangements. The creche used for this was open for anyone to walk into with check to ensure the bag they were collecting was their own. Deffinately not supervised as advertised, unless this meant the masseuse and her customers who were using the same space. The start was 700 meters away from the HQ in a residential area and there was no anouncement to start making your way there and people just seemed to start drifting over. After following everyone in the hope they knew where it was the start itself was equally low key. Another chap suddenly appeared out of nowhere and fired the starting pistol without any build up or ceremony. The race itself was fine consisting of 2 laps around the town's residential roads and one country road section coincinding with the only short hill. The rest was flat. There were plenty of marshals who did a good job and did give support to the runners. At the finish you are treated to water, a bannana (always a nice touch), a medal and a good quality T-shirt a class above many you get for some half marathons I could mention. This along with an unexpected PB raised my opinions of this race. Organisation aside I'm sure I will do it again, but leaving my bag in the car this time.
Date of review: March 29, 2012

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