I think you’ve had enough negatives to know what needs to be done for future events but I thoroughly enjoyed the day and my first Grim race. I hope to see you all again soon

This is my second time taking part in an event organised by this organisation. The first one was in Hornsea two years ago, and it was already quite disorganised.

According to the website, registration was due to open at 9:00 a.m. Based on my experience from two years ago, I arrived at 8:50 a.m., but guess what? I ended up doing nothing but standing in a queue. After finally registering, I then spent another 10 minutes waiting for the toilets. Unsurprisingly, we set off later than the scheduled start time.

There was no opportunity for runners to warm up properly at all. Fortunately, remembering my previous experience, I managed to do a bit of warming up while standing in the queue.

Even though our race numbers had emergency contact details printed on the back, the organisers didn't even bother asking participants to fill them in.

The facilities were a joke. Runners were heading back while cars were trying to drive out at the same time, which felt unsafe. The finish area was so narrow that spectators could hardly stand or sit nearby, meaning there was very little atmosphere and not many people cheering runners on.

The post-race food was also far worse than it was last time.

I was slightly disappointed with the event two years ago, but this time it was an absolute shambles.

That said, all of the staff and volunteers were friendly, supportive, and enthusiastic, which was definitely a big positive.

Very hot and much bigger than the previous event I did so some big queues. Well organised, great feed stations and excellent marshalling from Caroline at the 5k turnaround point!

In addition to all the other comments, I've had continuous emails regarding the photographs to purchase but not an email telling me where to find my results.
It would be everso nice to have that.

First Grim event with friendly and welcoming staff.

Thought it was a bit chaotic at the start with registrations and it needed more toilet facilities so luckily a delayed start albeit it with the weather would have liked earlier. Start and finish could be better with it in the car park and then crossing the roads.

Would have liked more water stations with the heat and also having to stop to pour your own did affect the rhythm a bit, but may just be used to different races previous.

Would have liked a little bit longer out for the half than coming back to the start/finish and going back out.

Can't fault the staff and Marshalls who did help and communicate

1. 10k race time given originally for 9.50 was changed late to 9.30-Caused confusion.
2. Too many different races for only one person handing out race numbers-Caused queuing and delay.
3. Too few toilets for the number of runners involved.
4. Bag drop not clearly marked.
5. Car park entrance/exit doubling up as part of the finish caused problems.
6. My finishing time was out by 5 minutes-I don't know how this could have happened (56m 08 seconds on my watch and not the 61m 08s I was credited with for 786)
I note all the above not to complain but so lessons can be learned-The people doing the races were lovely and I got on great with them. The team did the best I think they could under trying conditions.

Due to heat there should have been more water stations. My recommendation would have been to have a contingency for warmer weather to place more stations alkng the route. Some runners were visibly struggling on the long distances towards the end.

The only minor criticisms were the slow registration/delayed start time (just because of how hot it was getting by 10am!) and the lack of toilet facilities for pre-race.

Also, this was only my first race, so I’m not sure how other events work route wise, but I personally found the last 5k of the half marathon pretty demoralising, having to back out again after having gone back to the finish line at the 10 mile mark.

I’d have personally preferred either a longer route and back, or to have done the 5K section of it at the beginning and then gone back out to do the 10 miler.

Still a really good day overall, with friendly staff and a nice atmosphere between everyone taking part!

This was my first marathon. Absolutely no atmosphere whatsoever! The start line was only described as a car speed bump. Even crossing the line after 42k in blistering heat I was dodging cars on the way in as its set on the road in and out the facility..
water stations ran out of water! Lack of marshalls anywhere on course barring the water stations and I don’t think i even saw a medical team considering heat and distance.. done loads of races in past halfs and 10ks and this was by far the most underwhelming one if done.
The staff who was on site were great , friendly. It felt like they charged all runners a fee and parking and then stuck us all running down a 10mile ally out the way so no council or any organisation had to be done.

Morning

I ran the half marathon on Sunday. Just some feedback regarding marshaling. Due to the heat I feel that more marshalls should have been present on the course due to the heat and rural route. If anyone got into difficulty due to the weather any reposnse would be placed onto fellow runners. I know the weather cannot be predicted but a few more marshalls on route would be beneficial

not enough toilet facilities as relying on what was available in the centre; registration could have been better organised with specific times to collect your bib dependent on the race you were doing.
Staff were super friendly and helpful though.
The photographer wasnt very good either as clearly missed a lot of runners at the start and finish, including me and my husband!

Really enjoyed the half marathon today! However it was boiling hot and I felt as though there weren’t enough hydration stations, which meant I had to time my water intake and given how hot it was I was gasping a lot of the time! But that’s my only criticism, the staff were lovely, the atmosphere was brilliant, and it reminded me why I love the running community.

Having run alot of marathons we had no issues with registration as got there in plenty of time, even managed to pre fuel with a bacon and egg bap!
Marshalls were lovely, beautiful route bit congested at the beginning but soon thinned out.
Only advice would be extra table/jugs of water and main check point as struggled to get a drink on the first turn around lap as it was very busy with lots of different distance runners.

I have only done 5 organised events, but even I could tell this was poorly organised, long queues for registration and toilets, the 10k start was ridiculous The route was going across unmanned active roads forcing you to stop for cars, it was all very sketchy, the staff were really nice which was something.

Firstly thank you.
Some feedback
Good points are lots of parking and food options at fuel stations and the end...friendly atmosphere runners and marshalls..and a cheap event
Not so good
Way too many runners for the registration...queuing in full heat was not great..needed staggering better..maybe less distance options would work..delayed start unfortunate again with the heat but the marshall came and spoke with us in the toilet queue so we didn't panic so thank you..
So i say less distances and think about registration organisation..but thanks and well done to all

The email beforehand tells you to be there early. We arrived over an hour early and had no problem getting our race numbers and getting through the toilet queue. However, other people who arrived later than us really did struggle in massive queues which resulted in a delayed start. This was handled well by volunteers and I blame the people who didn’t leave themselves enough time to get prepared before the race. Maybe the warning on the email needs to be clearer? Or maybe people just need to read the info!! There weren’t enough toilets; that much is true. The toilet roll had run out an hour before the start of the run which shouldn’t have happened. Great medal, snacks and drinks at the end and fab marshalls on course. A little more signage would have prevented one or two uncertainties between the housing estate and the trail. Overall a really enjoyable morning

My first Grim event and honestly not sure I'd do another one. It's unfortunate as I'd heard really good things. However, for me, the registration was slow and poorly organised. I understand that they are a small team, but too small for the number of runners in my opinion. The staff were all lovely though and really were doing their best.
The toilet situation was also questionable. I've never been to an event without portaloos (and although that was nice) the facilities were limited, again creating long queues and waiting times. This resulted in delayed start times, which in the heat put extra pressure on runners who had fuelled and hydrated for a certain start time.
The car park situation was okay. Plenty of space but a small gap to get through to get onto the field and then the only way to exit at the end was down the small road where runners were coming in to finish. Thankfully as everyone was finishing at different times this didn't create too much of an issue, but it could have done.
I was concerned that I didn't see any medics (such as St John's Ambulance) at the start/finish or anywhere on the course. Very limited marshaling too.
Overall, I think there were just too many runners for the facilities and staffing, which made it appear more like a money making exercise than prioritising safety and wellbeing of runners.

I really enjoyed the event overall but registration seemed like chaos. You needed more people completing it to get the queue down.

I didn't like bag drop being so unsecure.
Lovely route for a 10 miler, bit hot but you can't exactly control the weather

Only having one person doing registrations wasn’t very well thought through. Long wait at registration which meant delays to the start. But well thought through in calling people even checking the toilets to ensure people were ready for the race Ran out of water on a station which in the heat was not very safe and a grumbling Marshall because a runner used a cup to pour water over himself. ( he was doing a marathon in this heat !! ) buckets of water should have been provided as you aware of the temperatures all week. Some stations not manned and people questioning the turn around points.
The lady Marshall at the 2.5k mark turning the half’s around for the last few kilometres was great and supportive. And lots of energy. Good recovery fuel at the end plenty to drink. And plenty on the station. Overall a good atmosphere and would recommend just needs fine tuning.