Race on the Chase

Average at best. I don't like leaving negative reviews, as I'm aware of the effect they can have on a small business, and i know 2020 has been a rough year. But if I'm honest, this wasn't a great event. Ive done probably over 100 events now as an amateur runner and this is the only time I've been left feeling underwhelmed by one. Pros + A nice route in lovely county side + The team member i met were very friendly Cons - I had to chase and chase again for my race details. It was only the night before the race at around 8pm i even knew what time i had to be there and when my slot was. I got a response after emails, messages and texts and after asking for a refund i then received my info. - The course wasn't laid out/sign posted well. I was only running the 10k so i was fine,but i saw a few people miss signs and i was shouting to help. My wife was waiting for me at the "Finish line" (I'll come back to that) and said that there had been a lot of marathon distance runners arrive who were lost and hadn't seen signs telling them where to spilt. It was all a bit of a mix up and confusing. - The "Finish Line" was a chip reader on a stick at the top of a hill. Easy to miss. And i did. It was only because a small group of people where there that shouted that id gone past it that i knew i had finished the race. No "FINISH" sign. No "100m to go" sign. All a bit bland and lacked effort or clarity. - Both my phone and my running watch tell me that i had in fact run well over 10k. And in fact i'd run 6.7 Miles. (perhaps this was just me, but i followed the flow and don't think i missed any signs personally) I know these events are seldom spot on, but i attended this for a timed 10k and i didn't really it. - The whole event lacked any atmosphere. No music, or warm ups, or.... anything? To me, thats what these events are about. If i wanted to run on my own, i could save myself the £25 entry fee and do that. - And finally, after the finish line. The medal 'Station' or what ever it would be called. I basically walked into a barn. There was a unopened bag of medals and no staff. So i stood around for a bit, ended up opening the bag to help myself to a medal, and just went home. Over all, i enjoyed the run. But its the details that make it worth attending and paying for a space at an event like this. Again, nice team (those i met) but I'm guessing there were 2, 3 staff? At the whole event? Maybe extra marshall's, a few extra signs, and play some music or something to get people going and it might be better. Did i enjoy the race? Yes. Will i return to this event? No.

New event.. The event was easy to find, the race instructions being very comprehensive. In arrival I was confused when I tried to register for the 10K as the half marathon brief was in progress at the same time which meant no one could get in to register for the 10K. Once registered it was all quick and very simple. I’d like chip timing. I paid the same for a 10K the week before and had a goody bag, medal and chip timing. Course nice, marshals at points helped, although at a couple of junctions the signage was sparse and confused colours for the different event made us stop to check we were in the right track. Finish was simple and over all a well organised event. I hope it gets bigger over the years. Thank you to all involved.