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PROVISIONAL Helphire Bath Half-Marathon
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Birdy Pie
Blisters (1:25)
Blond Dog
grubbysoles (2:05)
Head Gone (Hope to finish this year)
Josie Jump (sub 2hr attempt)
Josie's big little bro (first half)
Josie's little little bro (first half)
Mr J (first half)
oft (89:59)
Rocks
Spans
The Doc / No Fear / The Ed
Toucan
Wrinty
Zzz (first half)
still resisting though.
I've got the option of a priority entry for this race, dunno, wherever I look this race gets poor reviews
Thanks for all your comments. We've been working very hard in the last 6 months to address the shortcomings in last year's race, with significant investment in additional staff and computor/data systems, and I'm confident you'll appreciate the better service we can provide. The office is now manned 5 days a week for telephone & email enquiries and we aim to respond to all queries within 2 working days.
I am comforted by the thought that most of the major events have suffered 'growing pains' at some time only to bounce back with renewed vigour.
I can confirm that the council have now agreed to allow us to close both carriageways of the course route, so it will be truly traffic free for the first time. This will also enable us to increase entries from 5,500 in 2004 to 8,000 in 2005 and hopefully 10,000 in 2006.
Why expand - because we are simply responding to increasing demand and the race has to expand to survive. The race still barely covers its costs, so you can forget any idea of anyone making any money out of this type of event.
Priority entries (reserved for last year's entrants) are now open through the event website. 50% of the general public places have now been sold and we open for new applicants on Tuesday. So if you want to run apply now !
Feel free to contact me with any queries & I'll try to keep you informed through this forum.
I remember Brendon Foster being a little suprised by the mayor of Portsmouth declaring (on TV) that he wanted to dramatically increase the entry at the Great South Run, at least Portsmouth has lots of open space to put the extra capacity and deal with the influx on the site even if getting in and out of the place on the day would be a mare! Big races are starting to look more like a cattle market competition between citys with little thought put to the poor old runner who just wants a decent shot at hitting their goals!
1)Entry to The Rec...CAN anything be done?
2)Start line organisation. This may need stronger marshalling to ensure that Mr Lardy and his walking pals don't end up in the 1:45 start zone. Much bigger signs at the very least.
3)Please go with timing technology that is backed by a proven service organisation. Championchips are now disposable.
4)Marshalling and funnelling at the finish area needs to ensure that ALL runners get the goody bags to which they are entitled.
5)Toilets? Any chance of getting a few 10'x20' rollalongs with trough urinals? Basic, efficient, high throughput, self contained system underneath. These would reduce the queue pressure on the Solo sitters for the ladies & no2s.
6) We may not be able to have 5* showers freely on tap, but......
7)Pleeeeease can you provide 2 tents (M & F) for us to get changed in after the race?
I want to be constructive, unlike some of the doom merchants who have posted here.
I am like a lot of runners generally am an optomist (most potential Bath entrants must have extra optomism) and will more often than not take the positive from any adverse situation, I am also a realist and I really don't think 10000+ people on the rec into Pultney street is very realistic at present.
If you've given up on publishing chip times it's a bit rich considering the entrance fees.
I will 'fess up to having been harshly critical of last years race, and yet, like a lemming to a clifftop, I am returning in 2005.
I will try and join Blisters in the delivery of constructive criticism only. To his remarks I would also add....
Race Start. The delay to the start in '04 was a debacle. My advice would be:-
1. Set yourself a go/no go time (say half an hour before the planned start time) after which the race cannot be delayed. Preferably, make this time such that the majority of runners have not started final prep and have discarded all excess clothing.
2. Ensure any delay is properly communicated. The GWR roadshow were sending people up to the start-line for the original start-time long after the decision to delay had been made.
3. Consider 'holding pens' on the Rec until 5-10 minutes before the race start.... Gt Pultney St, was carnage, and will be even worse with an additional 2,500 bodies. No-one can run until they are at or near the start line, so it would be much better to gather everyone in a place where there is adequate space and people can get to their appropriate starting zone with relative ease.
I ahve to say, I'm feeling rather apprehensive after seeing everyone's comments though. And £20 does seem a lot of money - we did the Swansea Bay 10k the weekend before last which was only a tenner and was impeccably organised.
Shall have to see if I manage to get entered when the site opens for first timers tomorrow....
One Q though :
"As far as timing is concerned, the race number RFID chip is a proven technology and has significant benefits over the Championship lace chip"
Could you say a bit more about these benefits ? Some may need convincing after the probs last year. What did'nt they work in 2004 ?
(sorry - that's 2 questions !)
Birdy Pie
Blisters (1:25)
Blond Dog
grubbysoles (2:05)
Head Gone (Hope to finish this year)
Josie Jump (sub 2hr attempt)
Josie's big little bro (first half)
Josie's little little bro (first half)
Mr J (first half)
oft (89:59)
Rocks 2093 (1:25)
Spans
The Doc / No Fear / The Ed
Toucan
Wrinty
Zzz (first half)
Birdy Pie
Blisters (1:25)
Blond Dog
grubbysoles (2:05)
Head Gone (Hope to finish this year)
Josie Jump (sub 2hr attempt)
Josie's big little bro (first half)
Josie's little little bro (first half)
Mr J (first half)
oft (89:59)
Rocks 2093 (1:25)
Spans
The Doc / No Fear / The Ed
Toucan
Wrinty
Zzz 2020 (first half)
Birdy Pie
Blisters (1:25)
Blond Dog
Grubbysoles (2:05)
Head Gone (Hope to finish this year)
Josie Jump (sub 2hr attempt)
Josie's big little bro (first half)
Josie's little little bro (first half)
Mr J (first half)
Oft (89:59)
Rocks 2093 (1:25)
Spans
The Doc / No Fear / The Ed
Toucan
Wrinty (1:23)
Zzz 2020 (first half)
Train well!
Blisters (2107)(1:25)
Blond Dog
Grubbysoles (2:05)
Head Gone (Hope to finish this year)
Josie Jump (sub 2hr attempt)
Josie's big little bro (first half)
Josie's little little bro (first half)
Mr J (first half)
Oft (89:59)
Rocks 2093 (1:25)
Spans
The Doc / No Fear / The Ed
Toucan
Wrinty (669)(1:23)
Zzz 2020 (first half)
Anyway I'll see you all there now as with the same inevitability that a Robbie Williams song will always get to number one no matter how bad it is, I have now officially entered.
Blisters (2107)(1:25)
Blond Dog
Grubbysoles (2:05)
Head Gone (Hope to finish this year)(1540) 2:30
Josie Jump (sub 2hr attempt)
Josie's big little bro (first half)
Josie's little little bro (first half)
Mr J (first half)
Oft (89:59)
Rocks 2093 (1:25)
Spans
The Doc / No Fear / The Ed
Toucan
Wrinty (669)(1:23)
Zzz 2020 (first half)