My Forum

Sorry I haven't trawled through the previous posts but I wanted to add my opinion. I love this event, I have done all 3 now but somehow it still doesn't feel like it has been organised by runners. The narrowing after the start, having to climb over barriers to get in to the pens, narrowing of the course at certain points, giving out foil blankets when the first thing you should get is your medal, poorly manned and signposted drinks stations are all on their own fairly minor irritations but when added together can colour your opinion. I know many runners could not cross the finish line which lets be honest is inexcusable - please we do not need to be handed foil blankets after a half marathon which causes this bottleneck.

When we finish, first give people the medal - it is of no use wrapped in bubble wrap in the bag - then keep people moving through the finish area.

The longer finish down from 5 ways was much better this year, and I liked the course this way round returning through the park. Also good use of the NIA, if the security staff are a little eager to move you on.

I think the start from the Alex stadium was the best idea as it thinned the field out but it was a logistical nightmare to bus people from town, so I doubt this would be a goer in the future.

With a few improvements this race can rival any big city half.

PS - I know it is frustrating, I have amazingly got in after 4 rejections and my wife is also in on the 5 rejections route, so between us we have entered 9 times and got in through the ballot once.

I did it last year through a local charity, who wanted much less than the big ones, so there may be someone local to you who you can run for.

Good luck.