It starts and finishes in Higginson Park then makes its way down the High Street through the town and residential areas in a single lap course. Locally it’s a pretty popular event, this year there appeared to be even more interest.
There was a limit of 2000 entrants, (last years entrants total was 1200) a minimum age of 15 and cost of entry of £16 affiliated or £18 unaffiliated in advance and more expensive on the day at £25 if places were available. Venue facilities listed were ample toilet facilities within Higginson Park and in the Leisure Complex, but no changing facilities. Three Grant & Stone baggage vans available for runners to leave personal belongings at your own risk.
You start in a funnel, which feeds you across the start line and out of the park before hitting the High Street. The run is on partially closed roads. It is also the finish of the race but in the reverse direction of the start. Perhaps this year the run could have been organised in waves. This would have helped to avoid congestion for runners in the initially few hundred meters of the park and High Street.
The route takes few turns here and there. This is okay and combined with the support, the run does not drag on. You received a lot of encouragement from spectators as you made your way around the course. Plenty of marshals encouraged throughout as well.
You also received a fantastic goody bag, technical t-shirt, and great medal to boot. This made the event remarkably good value overall. Out of all the races I have taken part in so far, I must say the goody bag is probably the best I have received.
If you are looking for a flat, good value, well organised, and thoroughly enjoyable race I recommend you give this one a try.
You can read my full blog review at http://runiversityoflife.com/grant-and-stone-marlow-5