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?
0 ·
Comments
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.
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 !!!
- 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?