Fellow runners, if you are thinking of running
this event then think again! I ran this for the first time in 2010 and will
not be repeating the experience. The main issue was the complete lack of
organisation. My partner and I thought we would not get to the O2 in
Docklands by 9.45am (the published start time) so had to book a hotel in
London for the night before which was not cheap. So you can imagine that we
were not too pleased that the race was put back to a 10.30am start, even
though we arrived by 8.30am. The only thing that was enjoyable about this
event was that we took the Thames Clipper from Waterloo to Greenwich and back,
and avoided the nightmare on the Jubilee Line, which was apparently
responsible for the delayed start (admittedly not the organisers fault).
We got to the O2 and found that there was a complete lack of signage or
marshalls to ask directions. The index of the pre-race booklet listed baggage
drop-off, toilets etc. but this information was nowhere to be found inside the
booklet! There were massive queues in all the restaurants & bars in the O2,
but some proprietors were getting fed up with the runners using their
facilities and tried to get people to leave. This was understandable but, if
the organisers had actually signposted where the toilets were, then I think
runners would have discovered the portaloos and not tried to use these other
facilities.
We eventually crossed the start line at around 11am after having been standing
around in the freezing wind, not knowing what or who was responsible for the
delay. The event was marketed as 'run to the beat' but this is just a gimmick
to get people to part with their money and, at £35 per entry, this is not the
cheapest of events. There were two lives bands playing along the route and,
elsewhere, recorded music was played through loudspeakers. This would not
have been too bad if the music was audible all round the route; however, most
of the time you heard nothing. Lots of people had brought ipods and, if you
want to listen to music during this race, you are advised to do the same.
The route was OK with a slight hill at around 5-6 miles, but the scenery was
not so spectacular to make up for all the other faults. Finally, the finish
area was completely unmarshalled so that chaos ensued. There were no goodie
bags (as advertised) and some people who finished earlier just took handfuls
of the gatorade and cereal bars that were in crates by the pavement. Needless
to say, runners who finished later got absolutely nothing than their medal!!
There are plenty of other well-organised and cheaper half-marathons around so
my view is don't waste your money on this one ...
Rose