What can we say about this race?
Good honest, friendly race - low key, no frills and all very basic.
Autumn Shakespheare race series covered 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Full Marathon distances and also had a fun run.
I chose the marathon option.
I'd been eyeing up this race all year. The thought of a fast, flat marathon course was very tempting. It didn't disappoint on that score.
Registration was simple. Race numbers were collection only.
There was plenty of toilets, which is always welcome.
Baggage store was as basic as it can be with belonging placed in corner of the room. Not secure but runners are an honest bunch so it worked ok.
Race venue was in the middle of knowhere and quite awkard to get to.
Race incorperated 5k laps with 8 and a bit laps for the marathon distance.
The course saw marathon runners start about 500 yards further forward on the first lap to make up the marathon distance. This meant, although this race was chip timed, there was a gun start.
Starting at the back of the field added both time and distance to the marathon. (Garmin shows I ran 26.57miles.)
Running 8x laps of an airfield isn't very inspiring. It's very dull in fact.
I just switched off and ran so it didn't bother me too much.
Nature of the course meant there was no local support.
Marshals were very good, as always.
Water station was at the end of each 5K lap. Cupped water and gels were on offer.
Finishers were given a very small medal and the option of a half banana or meusli bar.
Not very good reward for a marathon. I did expect more in all honesty.
Finishers shirt had to be purchased (£15 each). I have had to order one as they didn't have any small shirts left.
Another gripe was the medal. Very basic, with everybody given the exact same bling regardless of distance.
**** On a sidenote, I was feeling very nauseous about 18miles into the marathon.
My brother explained situation to a marshal and asked if he I could have half a banana (which they were giving to finishers). The marshal point blank refused. I anm not blaming marshal as she was probably carrying out orders. Thought is was out of order and very tight fisted..
It kind of summed up the event perfectly.
Very simple, very basic, with very little reward for runners.
In summary -
It was a friendly event.
If you want a fast, flat marathon then this was the one to do.
If you want an interesting route, crowd support and basic rewards for runners then best look elsewhere.