This is a two-lap course, almost entirely flat, and nearly always wide with plenty of space to spread out and pass each other. You get views of the sea at one point and run along the marine lake for a stretch, too; most of the route is along closed roads with one section using a wide pavement next to a road still used by traffic but all felt very safe. Pre-race info was clear and timely and a virtual option was offered for anyone unable or unwilling to attend in person. The 'race village' was very scaled down this year but besides the race number/T-shirt pick-up point there was a stall with a selection of running goodies, a coffee van with delicious cakes, and an ice cream van - and local shops and eateries were within easy walking distance. There were plenty of marshals to help guide and to shout encouragement, and pacers at 5-minute intervals. Water was available at the halfway point and at the end and there was also a vegan snack bar (sadly only one flavour available and that contained nuts). The medals were good quality with an attractive glittered design along the seaside theme (an ice cream this year!) My only disappointment was the design of the (optional) race T-shirt - it was a lovely shade of blue and the glittery silver wording was pretty and effective, but there were no images and it seemed quite plain and generic.

This was my first event with Run North West and I was impressed overall. The registration was very slick and done on a bank of ipads with a volunteer there to support, plenty of toilets in the park area although it wasn't abundantly clear where the start was, signage could be improved. If you wanted to leave a drink rather than take a single use plastic bottle there was a table at the finish to leave a name labelled bottle, good idea. The course is two laps along the sea front and around the lakes and then back along the other side. Spectators were mainly at the very start or along the second half of the route and the course was well marshalled and predominantly flat. Nice matching seaside themed tshirt and medal for finishers along with a flapjack. Parking in Southport can be tricky but there is free street parking about a 10 minute walk from the race area.

Great day, well organised easy to collect race pack on the day, plenty of free parking small walk from start.

Run along prom and around lake twice great value for money , with medal and technical shirt at end along with other goodies.

An all round great day well organised event .