This was my third time completing the Robin Hood Half Marathon, and it was by far the worst experience I have had at a race. I ran this year as part of the Corporate Challenge with my gym/running club. On Friday evening we were informed that the half marathon race numbers had not been sent to our Team Captain (but the mini-Marathon race numbers had). We arrived early to try and sort out the race numbers and at 8:15 went to the Information Tent. Despite explaining the situation to them, we were told to go to the Corporate Challenge Tent as they would have the replacement Corporate Challenge numbers. Upon arrival at the Corporate Challenge Tent, we were told to go back to the Information Tent as they had never been given any numbers and all number replacements were to be issued at the Information Tent. Being visibly frustrated with the situation and saying it was ridiculous, the volunteer agreed it was ridiculous and they had not been briefed at all that morning. Not exactly filling us with confidence. We were told to stay close by and they would let us know what to do shortly. Despite chasing it up with them, we were only told to stay close by and they would let us know. Finally at 9:15 (15 minutes before the start of the race) we were told to go back to the Information Tent to collect our replacement race numbers. Upon arrival, they knew we had been waiting and let it be known that they were running low on replacement corporate challenge numbers (as we clearly were not the only team having issues). They had been issuing replacement numbers there all morning, and had known significantly earlier that they were meant to be issuing them there. The delay in obtaining our race numbers, added a lot of unnecessary stress and through no fault of our own had us rushing to the start line with 3 minutes to go. Upon arrival to the start gates, one of our runners was told she was completing the mini-marathon and while explaining to the marshal that she was in fact running the half marathon they made her exit the pen and return to the information tent to obtain a new number (keeping in mind that the race was due to start momentarily). This resulted in this runner missing the start completely, and starting the race 11 minutes late. To make matters worse, this was her first half marathon and by far not the experience anybody would want to have. The course itself is beautiful, and I love the fact that Richard Whitehead starts the race. I do have concerns of the safety of the start line, due to the bottle-neck very early on at Embankment. Perhaps they could make the start gates longer, and the same width as the narrowest part of the start to prevent any collisions? Every year I am frustrated with the use of bags of water. They are next to impossible to open unless you bit the side. While you're running (and even standing still) this is a real choking hazard. Race organisers should provide runners with a reliable and safe hydration source. 3 of the water bags I grabbed would not open and I ended up throwing them away in frustration. A real plus point for me of the race, is the local support. In previous years it has been a lot stronger, but I do understand the weather may have had an impact today on numbers. What support was there, was brilliant and when you are running up the hills of the Park or Wollaton Park it really does help. However, the race organisers cannot take any credit for that. Value for money is incredibly poor. The finishers bag is a joke, a high number of runners did not receive a bag at all. You get a cotton top (which granted, was very nice this year) and a medal which is handed to you. You get some hydration sachets and a Yorkie they could've picked something better like a protein bar, or more food (banana's, flapjack etc). It is not like they don't get money from the fees they charge for the race. You don't get a technical top (which you have to buy, but the design was nice this year). There also seemed to be a lot less in the race village in way of shops this year. The medal is huge and a real plus, but admittedly, i did miss having the stag on the front of the medal. Overall, I found this year highly disappointing. At no point were we offered any form of explanation or apology. The only thing that saved the day of this race, was the people I was running with. This is my home half marathon, and I really don't know if I will come back next year. I am so disappointed in how the situation was handled. Given how expensive the race is and what you get in return (goody bag, medal, top, water on route); it is not good value for money.