Windsor Women's 10k is my favourite of the year. The views are stunning, and nothing can beat the final km running towards the castle (especially, if like me, you time your music to be playing Zadoc the priest as you arrive at the end). The marshal's are the local cadets and so enthusiastic at every station. If you like beautiful scenery as you run, this is definitely the race for you.

R4W Windsor 10K 2018

Having competed in R4W’s events many times before I knew that this would be a fantastic race.

Easy online entry and communication by email and on social media from the organisers right up to the day of the race, and afterwards, were excellent.  The race is open to all abilities from very inexperienced beginners to experienced runners . The closed Facebook group for the event is really friendly and it’s good to chat with other ladies doing the race and indeed since. 

The unique setting of Windsor Great Park is glorious - a late September morning, deer, fantastic views, more than ample free parking (always a bonus at an event) and the best portaloos ever, what’s not to like? The atmosphere was amazingly friendly, lots and lots of lovely ladies all running and walking for their own reasons. There was a real buzz waiting for the start of the race.

This is a slightly challenging 10K with a climb right at the beginning but that’s what makes it so much fun! The scenery all the way round is beautiful and the marshals and Park residents were very encouraging - much appreciated when I was struggling at a couple of points! Water stations located just where needed and the waste zones are a brilliant idea.  The run back down to the finish includes a stunning view of Windsor Castle.  The spectators along the last couple of kilometres cheered everyone. This event always has fab finishers’ medals and t shirts and this year’s were no exception. 

Thank you R4W and to all the volunteers involved in making this such a memorable, friendly event, I will definitely be entering again.

I was looking forward to this run as I love Windsor. Everything was very easy from the beginning. Free parking in the field next to the race village, loads of toilets, good baggage system and plenty of marshalls giving out information. I even took part in the excellent warm up which was a first for me! The organisation was spot on with runners having a coloured number dependant on the approximate finish time. The start was a slight incline as we set off up the long walk towards the copper horse statue. The rest of the run was reasonably flat taking you through woods but always on a path that was closed to any traffic and passing just a few dog walkers. There were a few water stations en route where you could pick up bottled water. A few supporters along the way who had welcome sweeties, smiles and cheers. The course was clearly marked and I was just looking out for the 8k mark because I knew I could then finish going downhill with the castle in view. It was stunning! I ran at full pelt at this point as it was so beautiful even though the finish went on forever it was worth it as that finish line got closer and closer. Fab medal, and t shirt at the finish with a welcome bottle of water and even more welcome mars bar! Lovely race and I would definitely do it again.

I hadn't trained for this so didn't enjoy it as much as I might have done, but I can highly recommend it. Such lovely scenery, quite a special place to be running.

Pros

-Scenery is lovely

-Very well organised, good village for starting/meeting

-Mars Bar in the goodie bag!

-Excellent atmosphere, lots of women chivvying each other along when it got tough.

-Plenty of car parking

Cons

-Despite no doubt having paid a lot of money for posh loos (one is on her Majesty's land!), they were worse then your normal portaloo. Most weren't working/didn't flush by the time the race started.

-Hills! Many hills.