This inaugural race had a few teething issues which I’ll describe but none were huge & I’d say it was still a success. My video shows you the route & just how great it was once you got going.

https://youtu.be/VTCMf50bHT8 

Race Registration via the website was easy & efficient & race bibs were posted out in advance if you’d entered early enough. 

There were emails & a PDF of final instructions that went out in advance. Even when weather was predicted to be hot there was some unscheduled but additional emails detailing plans to cope with heat with extra water stations.

On arrival at the Start the event village was actually a few hundred metres away & despite portaloos being available the queues were huge, I felt they needed more toilets to cope with the demand because at 08:55 it was clear loads in that queue wouldn’t make the advertised 09:00 start in time so I’d say more toilets are needed next year.

the bag drop seemed OK but was away from the start line so you’d need to factor time to drop the bag first. 

Once in the start pens it was apparent there were no signs or zones for people to collect in for their pace, I.e. sub 1:30, sub 1:35 etc. The 9am start came & went & the race didn’t start. Everyone was scratching their heads & for a while there was no communication. It was causing anxiety in some runners as the race had clearly advertised there was a strict 3 hour time limit due to road closures. Some runners who were only just going to make it were now worried they’d not meet the ever decreasing cut off.

eventually a loud speaker announcement was made but with just speakers on the start line, so no one further back could hear what was being said. I managed to catch something about a fire so my conclusion was there’s been a fire on the route, but I couldn’t hear to be sure. Maybe next year a few more speakers along the start pens.

the delay wasn’t ideal but once we got going it was fine. The course started in The town & headed out onto scenic country lanes. There were lots of water stations some plastic bottles some cups, & the cup ones had electrolyte too.

there were pacers in this race but wearing balloons wasn’t ideal you’ll see why in the video. Maybe pacing flags next year?

A lot of this route was beautiful countryside but this also meant some sections had no crowd support, but when you got to villages or pockets of support it was a real boost. 

Lots of local residents had turned out with hoses to cool runners down in the excruciating heat.

loads of Marshall’s out there & safety was never an issue. The delayed start was probably for safety so although mildly annoying it made for a safe race. I’d say the mile markers needed to be more prominent though you’ll see what I mean in the video.

the medal was top quality, there was a technical t shirt, water, a banana & a protein snack in the good bag.

as much as there were a few teething issues at this inaugural race I still think this race was a success. They don’t exactly get a ‘dress rehearsal’ before the first one so this is the rehearsal & hopefully all these teething issues will be ironed out for next year.

I would not dissuade you from going, go next year & I’m sure you’ll see the lessons learned in practice for a new & improved 2019 race.

chexk out the video I made of this race at the link https://youtu.be/VTCMf50bHT8