Another event hosted by Runwales. Its well organised, no issues parking and getting to the start line. As always in running events, toilets seem to be sparse.

The race itself started off on the running track but breaking out on the road. You then continue a huge loop until coming back to the running track. It's not the most scenic run but it's a well timed event for building up to a spring marathon.

The event t-shirt was brill, a bright yellow, which is great for using when running in the evening. The medal was also decent.

As a 20 miler goes, this is a good well timed event. 

I did the 20 mile.

This is a strange race. If you wanted a technical t-shirt you had to pay an additional fee or take a cotton one included in the entry fee.

There was talk of big crowds and energy sweets at drink stations, none of these things appeared.

At times on the course, it is unclear where you are meant to be going, with marshalls pointing you in a general direction and you are just expected to keep going until you see another marshal.

At the end of the race, you get a medal and a bottle of water.

The race HQ was ok, but they tried to stop you using the inside toilets instead saying there are portaloos across the road (The HQ was surrounded by roads and no other directional instructions were given then 'across the road'). Luckily another runner obtained the code for the toilet door, as there wouldn't have been enough toilets.

There are no road closures, which is ok for most of the race, but not the mile section which takes you through the centre of Wrexham long a busy road.

This has the potential to be a great event, but it needs a good few tweaks.

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Thanks for taking the time to response, i really do think the event has a lot of potential. An increase in toilets, marshalls and signs will make a big difference.

The only thing i was ever offered at the stations was water, i am not making that up. Although i had my own gels so it wasnt an issue for me.

Road wise, there was one small bit near the end, where we were going through the centre up on the pavement, which was a little slippy due to the weather and the type of flagstones used and there was fairly heavy traffic on the road next to us. This was the main place where it was a concern. I was running by myself so again it wasnt so much of an issue for me, but it may have been for those in the masses.

local to me and first time not injured so was looking forward to it. the rural / industrial estate route is a bit boring to be honest and because of that the support was lacking, but understandly so.

Puddle across the road didnt help (being local i know this is flooded for most of the winter) and no attempt at pallets etc to at least help in part.

Medal is ok, but to be honest the kids medal's were better, no goody bag and a crappy runwales cotton top (they seem to love them) 

much prefered helsby or anglesey to be honest.

Firstly, let's start with the title.... This wasn't a festival. If you are going to use that name, you need to provide more. Entertainment, music - something! Registration was fine along with the collecting of the number on the day. When it came to the start, there were quite a few people that didn't really know what was happening. People didn't know who was starting when, were we all starting together? The speaker was very quiet and sometimes muffled, it was a bit of a guessing game. As we left the town centre, we headed to the countryside, the first 6/7 miles were fine, plenty of runners about and people to talk to. After that, no one! The run along the country lanes were lonely, there wasn't much to look at as the hedgerows were quite high. Across one part there was a puddle which ran all the way across the road, and we had to run through this twice! The organisers could've placed a few pallets across it to walk over.... So now my feet are soaking, and my socks and trainers are rubbing! When we left the country lanes, we had another treat in store - a tour of the industrial estates of Wrexham!! At least I now know where the Kellogs factory is, and where the council depot is... Due to the route, there was practically no support at all, it was a very lonely race.

When it came towards the end, one of the signs was, shall we say, not pointing in the right direction. So off I went, to be chased down by a marshal to say I have gone the wrong way - in total, I ran 28.7 miles. The medal was nice but the cotton tshirt is not much use. After 28 miles, I was offered a packet of prawn cocktail crisps... I think for races of this distance, more should be offered in the way of nutrition, or at least some food at all. 

In summary...

Registration - Fine, no issues, 100%

Start line - needs to be clearer, 75%

Local support - none, 0%

Route - Ditch the industrial estates, 30%

Would I run this again...? I'm afraid not. There are races out there that have so much more atmosphere, nicer routes, plenty of support and often for less money.

I just want to add though, the marshals were 110%, sterling job. 

Wrexham Running Festival  featured Marathon, 20mile, Half Marathon and fun run options.

Entry fee wasn't cheapest (£39.50 for the marathon) but what you got for your money was a well organised race with a good atmosphere.

Pre-race information was available via the 'Run Wales' website.

Race numbers were collection only. Baggage was straight forward with no complaints.

The race started with Marathon & 20mile participants starting at 9am with Half marathon runners starting at 10;30.

Course was quite complicated but there were plenty of marshals to make sure it ran smoothly so no complaints.

Race was undulating but it also has fast sections.

Part of the route saw runners have to run through a massive puddle - TWICE! Not good.

Final couple of miles were undulating and quite tough.

Nature of the course meant local support was vert limited.

Water stations were regular but only contained water until stage of the race. 

Finishers were given crisps, water, a decend medal and a cotton finishers shirt. For a marathon there should've been more post race nutrition.

In summary -

Good atmosphere. Not the most inspiring route but not too bad.

On a positive note, the various distances catered for all..

It was well organised and well marshalled.

Finishers shirt was nice but but was made of cotton.

A bit more nutrition for finishers is a must both during, and after the race.

Would I do this race again? Yes but I would hope little improvements could be made.

Thank you Run Wales for a good day.

second time I have ran the race and both times now under 90 mins. This route was slightly different to the one I did2 years ago but the same result delights me. It’s a rural race but you do start and finish in the town centre which provides people cheering you on. Not many out elsewhere though. Well attended though and as ever superb organisation with pacers. It is slightly undulating but I prefer this. I’d say this is a must for a runner of all abilities.