Back to the New Forest for the third year running, and chose to do the half again this year.  Collected our race pack and technical tshirt the day before from the race village, and headed out early the following morning in case traffic getting in to the show ground was a nightmare but it was fine!

The half marathon course is mainly gravel track through the forest with a few shorter country lane sections in the middle.  It is a tough course - the gravelly uneven path saps your legs, so although it's flat, it is  tiring.  Bit wet and muddy near the start which added to the fun.  The course is beautiful - it never gets boring, and the section around 8 miles through the heathland with the cows and ponies added interest.  There were plenty of water stations and support back in the race village was fab.  The medal is chunky and good quality, and there were plenty of food and drink stalls for afterwards.  

There are a couple of things that would make this event even better - the lap around the field for the half marathon runners before the finish is utterly soul drestroying!  You hear the welcoming sound of the race village and spot it through the trees with about 2k to go.  Then all the other distances run into the field to the finish line, while the half runners veer off for a big loop which passes the back of the portaloos, which were fairly stinking by this time.  If there is no way of adding an extra 2k within the forest, the loop would be better at the start of the race to get it out the way.  

The goody bag was massively disappointing,  with a handful of leaflets and a sachet of iron supplement...??? Something sweet to munch or a packet of crisps please!  Maybe ditch or reduce the massive magazine at registration and spend the money on something to eat!

And please sort the arrangements for getting out the car park! There was one Marshall who asked where we were headed and told us to keep going straight on, but then we were at a give way with no signs saying which way to go.  Picked the wrong way and ended up in one way traffic going the wrong way!  Splitting the different exits depending on destination is a good idea but put some signs up so people know which one to head for, and get the marshalls to organise the flow of trafffic in the field! 

I will be back another year (maybe not next year!) as I love the New Forest and the event is excellent, and strongly recommend it.