I've done this event quite a few times. To be honest it's not my favourite. Using the race circuit is a great for those chasing times but for most ordinary runners, the flip side is zero crowd support en route. My key take-aways are these: 1. Goodwood is lovely place but not a particularly welcoming venue. The Chichester 10k is unlike other events that are run by runners, for runners. I felt that we were being tolerated, rather than welcomed - a feeling I had when turning into the car parking area. At least this year it wasn't into a muddy field and we didn't have to wait ages to leave or be towed out by tractors. It also started on time unlike the total disaster a few years ago where organisation was so chaotic, that we had to wait on the start line for thirty minutes while runners were still queuing to park. 2. Signage was non-existent. If you'd not been before how would you know where to find the baggage drop; the event HQ; the toilets; the First Aid station? Given that many runners came from far afield this was very poor. 3. The toilet arrangements are always limited. But for so many runners, half of them men, there was a massive queue for the cubicles. This would not happen on a Goodwood Members' Club Day - but runners have different needs and they need to be addressed. There may well have been more toilets available but where they? 4. I could not see many race marshals either. Where were the proactive cheerful marshals available to answer questions and give directions? 5. The medal is nice. But that was it - no water, no banana, no protein bar. Sadly, it felt just like a corporate event just to make a profit.

The course this year was the best variation I have run. The motor circuit is a superb running surface, wide and smooth with very little elevation; a true PB course. Hopefully they will keep this course for future editions of the race. An email before the event directed us to park at the Rolls Royce factory staff car park. This was a 15/20 mins walk to the motor circuit and included some sections of water-logged fields, which meant we arrived with wet feet. Far from ideal and, as it turned out, many people actually managed to get parked on the circuit itself, which is obviously much more convenient. So the communication on this aspect was a little confused. Overall, a brilliant event with one of the best and fastest 10k courses around. Will be back next year!