I've run the Salford Quays version of RITD for the last couple of years - always enjoyed them (with a few niggles)- the run moved to City of Manchester Stadium area this time. Support was minimal - maybe less so than in Salford as the stadium isn't somewhere you would 'be' unless you were attending an event- a shame but for a 10k like this it doesn't matter that much. The route was an improvement over Salford- not as cold away from the water - a few odd bits (running past a large gas pipe that smelled a bit 'gassy'. I'm not convinced that the course measurement is 100% - a few people noted that it seemed just short but this could have been down to taking different lines through some parts of the course (the Salford route seemed short too) but then it isn't UKA. The athletics stadium section was a great addition - nice to run round and brightly lit after some of the gloomier sections.

RITD is just a great event- good cause and good to do something in the middle of the week towards the end of the 'season'. Getting back into central Manc from the stadium was much easier- parking looked ok too if that's your thing. 

The niggles:

- usual poor goodie bag - to me, as a charity event I'd be happy with nothing rather than some instant noodles and an odd flavoured drink

- start- past Manchester RITDs were plagues by a disorganised start (either late, or confusing, or leaving people penned in for too long). The start here was better in most respects save for the warm-up which, (a) I don't think most people needed (b) there was no room to do (c) I got colder waiting for it to finish.

- I understand the 'not having water stops' for safety reasons but given there's two laps it'd be good to have something at the half way for people who are flagging. 

But..

- great running top

- nice to run en-masse in the dark

...and there is a reason for that. Not only is this for a great cause, but it's a top experience running around Salford on a cold winter's night. I come back to this one every year because it's a great event - you even get flashing lights!

Sure, there is no crowd support, the scenery is non-existant, but the comraderie of running with hundreds of other people all flashing away, is superb. And a Red Bull at the end! Brilliant.