I ran this race for the first time in 2017, and had little idea what I was in for!

Registration and parking were well-organised and smooth, with the school hall acting as race HQ. A bag drop was well manned, and there was plenty of space outside to warm up. 

The two-lap race starts at the school and turns onto the main road downhill for the first couple of km. It's a fast, steady downhill, but the road is not totally closed to traffic - not too bad on the first lap when there are lots of runners together, but by the time this slowcoach had got to the second lap I felt fairly exposed in places! 

After the downhill section is a sharp left turn down to a small stream, which most runners go straight through, despite the December temperatures. There is a bypass to the right, but I decided to go with the spirit of the race, grit my teeth and run straight through the water. Not too bad the first lap, but I got a full shoe-full of water the second time! Luckily (!) there's a very steep incline to contend with straight after the ford to take your mind off your soggy socks! 

This is a Hill. It's not *too* bad on the first lap, and flattens out after a km or so. But the second time around it is a beast. I've never seen so many runners walking! Once at the top, it's a gentle run along a quiet road before heading back to the finish. 

Unfortunately, there is another incline to the finish line, not so much fun when you're almost done! But with great race support and marshals it's not so bad! There was a colourful medal to finish, and plenty of refreshments before the 10-15min walk back to race HQ and parking. A warming cup of tea and a bit of cake finished the morning off nicely! 

This is my hometown race and the second time I've run it this year. 

It's 2 laps on a semi-closed road route with a small ford to run over (or a bypass bridge if a little water scares you!) and a pig of a hill to tackle toward the middle of each lap.

The race takes place on the edge of the town; the first part of the lap is all downhill, and a generous downhill at that where you can pick up some real speed. Unfortunately this part of the route isn't closed to traffic, and it's a fairly busy road too. Last year runners tended to stay single or double breasted, this year I noticed runners took up almost the whole lane going down the hill, despite cars trying to get past on the way down. It is mostly paved, and the bits that aren't are very well marshalled to protect you from the traffic, but you do wonder if this is something the organisers can look into for future races (the problem I suspect is that this is a main route into the town).

Once the downhill section is out of the way you then approach Palesgate Lane and the dreaded hill. Cross the small ford and what follows is about 1k of tough incline, followed by maybe another 1k of gentler incline/flattish road, all closed to traffic. This is the hardest bit of the route, worse still knowing you have to do it all again!

The last third of the lap is slightly undulating, again on closed roads, back to the top of the hill where all the downhill fun can begin for the 2nd lap!

I think overall the race has potential for some very fast times if you can get ahead of the pack for the downhill part and can cope with short steep hills. The support along the route is minimal, mainly around the school at the finish of the route/halfway point, and it's not particularly scenic either; you pass the train station, a football pitch and a few houses, that's all really.

Registration is easy, you just pick your race number up on the day from the school hall which is race HQ; they have baggage storage, massage, a store selling a wide variety of sporting goods, and tea/coffee/cake selections.

Overall a really well run local race, but I think they should address the open road down Crowborough Hill, even if it means changing the route. One thing I notice another reviewer note; the race HQ is about a 5-10 minute walk from the race finish, so if you need to go back and get your bag be prepared for some steps and a bit of a trek!

My first run at Crowborough 10k but would definitely sign up again! Plenty of parking at the start, hot drinks and cake available at the race HQ and easy collection of race number.

The run consists of a 2 lap course around the town of Crowborough with the route partially closed off to traffic. The first couple of kilometres are run down hill then you turn off on to a country lane and run through a ford followed by an upward climb that levels out after a kilometre or so. At the end of the lane you turn on to the finishing straight and complete a 2nd lap for the 10k or turn off to the finish line for the 5k race, water station located at the finish line turn off as you begin your 2nd lap of the course. 

Unfortunately no parking at the finish line and it is a short walk or jog back up to the start where you park.