I went to this race with a UKRunChat package and as a trip for making and cementing friendships it was outstanding. the winter sunshine was very welcome too! The package was well put-together and made booking and attending my first international race very easy. The hotel was further away from the start and finish of the race than some - we were bussed there, but the bus had to stop quite a way from the start due to early road closures. Getting back to the hotel was a bit more tricky, as the buses didn't run for a long time due to the race taking place! [I believe the location of the hotels has been improved for the 2019 races] The race organisers provided regular updates and briefings and couldn't have been more helpful during the event. The course didn't have the promised beautiful view for the most part - going out and back around an industrial estates and past a shopping centre before the halfway point, but you could see the sea for some of the second half out and back. The race starts early in the morning to combat the heat of the day and there was plenty of water available on the course. The fruit seemed to have run out long before the less-speedy runners came past. The big complaint of most of us was that the portaloos were in a disgusting state, seemingly due to them being put out at the start of the weekend in a public area and then having no noticeable maintenance during the entire weekend - the organisers requested feedback from us after the race and promised to act upon it. The finish of the race and the after party was an absoute highlight. Every runner that finished was celebrated and given a large drink, with a beer voucher to user at the party later. The party itself was a lot of fun with great music from a live band - such a good atmosphere. Note: we also did the Primatel 5K the previous day, which was massively oversubsribed and overcrowded with people who intended to walk with their dogs, pushchairs, grandparents, and even stopped for coffee along the way. Not for runners!