I was thrilled to be able to take part in the very first running of this new event held in the City of London. When it was announced that it was taking place the original allocation of places made available on line were snapped up within minutes of them going on sale and the race quickly sold out. So when I was asked to pace the event for the Centurion Running Pacing Team, I jumped at the chance.

I know a lot of people have complained about the cost of the race, £50 entry for a half marathon is quite steep, but then bear in mind the cost involved with closing off the Centre of London for a day, the entertainment laid on throughout the run and the quality medal and t shirt that was included within the price and it does make sense. I know you will find less expensive races elsewhere, but I doubt it would match this for atmosphere and the uniqueness of it.

As a pacer I was sent a link to regsiter my entry from the pacing co-ordinator, which would have been as general runners would have signed up, I found this very easy to complete and no issues there.

Information and race details were readily available on a range of social media platforms, and a race pack containing your race bib, t shirt and race guide in booklet form, arrived in the post a few weeks before the event.

The startline was positioned on Pall Mall, and runners were asked to gather there after a warm up session in Trafalger Square at various start times, according to the colour of their bibs which based upon predicted finishing times indictated by runners at the point of sign up. This will be my one major grumble of my review.

The start was a mess!

If you are gong to make a big feature of coloured waves and set start times, then you must make sure that this happens. There was no sign of pens to line up in according to colour, instead runners were just arriving en masse and being pushed forward in one group regardless of colour, or pace they could run, towards the start line and just told to run. Therefore in the first wave which should be for faster runners, I saw plenty of bibs for runners allocated waves 4, 5 or 6 starting and quickly getting in the way of the quicker guys, a very dangerous situation.

Also as a pacer who has paced many events, I was getting very frustrated at hoiw we were being used. We should have been put into the waves (had they have been used correctly) ahead of the runners arriving so that they could find us and line up with us. Not just quickly told to jump into the mass start of each group with a minute to spare from the hooter, and have no time to position properly. in wave 1 the 1hr20, 1hr30, and 1hr45 pacers were struggling to actually get into position before the start and actually started running with just a few feet between them selves.

That was my only negative from the day.

The course was a great flat course, although very twisty in some places. a couple of dead turns at times brought the field to a standstill at a few pinch points, which needed care with where to place your feet in the bunch. Living up to its name of the Landmarks half, the route took in many of the great sights, and in the case of Bow Bells, sounds of London, and around the whole course there were signs set up to inform runners of the historic points of interest they were running past

A large range of Bands, Dancers and costumed entertainers were in position to add the fun, and we even had a Roman Centurion salute as we passed through the Guild Hall area. At one point I was lucky enough to have "Delboy" Derek Trotter from only Fools and Horses run alongside me, well done for that lookalike as it must have been hard in that sheepskin coat!

Water stations were frequent and provided water in bottles, some had energy drinks, and were well staffed with cheery marshalls.Volunteers were on hand around the whole course to direct and assist runners if needed. Totally closed roads so no safety issues. Plenty of support from spectators on the route as well

On my GPS watch, and many others alike, the course did seem to measure long. I had 22.62kms at the end, but in London GPS can sometimes get a little confused due to the high building sometimes, but I think it was still a little long.

Finishing on Downing street, the awesome medal was handed to you by a range of costumed actors, or Pearly Kings and Queens, water and a Eat Natural energy bar were available, and a special finishers Wrist Sweatband was handed to you.

To sum up, a fantastic event which in its first year set a very high standard which I hope it maintains. Serious issues with the start needs to be addressed however to make it a safer and less chaotic mess, but I am sure this will be sorted for next time.

Certainly a race to get into if you can, yes the price is high, but as I said the costs involved in putting it on must have been huge, and it was all for a good cause, held in aid of the Tommys charity.

Would I do it again, without doubt, it just may clash next year with another event I have already committed to doing