Some of your Post Race comments ...
| Posted: |
|
|
|
09-Mar-09 |
 "Thank you for organizing a great event! My friend and I live in Seattle, in
the U.S. We learned of the Inverness Half-Marathon from your website and
decided it was a good excuse to take a trip to Scotland. Despite the snow (!),
jetlag and, in my case, a touch of stomach flu, we really enjoyed the race. It
was well-organized. The route was beautiful. The marshals and volunteers
were, without exception, helpful and friendly. I loved that you started the
race by firing a howitzer! :) The medals are our most prized mementos from our
trip to beautiful Scotland. I will wear my Inverness Half-Marathon beany
proudly as we train for our next race. Thanks for letting us share in this
awesome event!
"
"Just a short note to say thanks to everyone involved for organising another excellent Inverness Half Marathon.
In particular, a big 'thank you' to all the stewards and marshalls who stayed out on the course until the last runners passed, despite the freezing cold weather.
"
"Once again thank you to all Comittee members, marshals, helpers who were involved on Sunday. The marshals out on the road deserve a special mention for just being there on such a cold day. All the support from these people really helps me to get round . I do not know why but I really quite enjoyed the day. ( Did I really say that.)"
"Thank you very much for a great run, the clouds parted at just the right time, amazing.
If you have a quotes board, please pass on my thanks to the lady who very kindly took my jacket from me at the start line and left it in the hall. A true act of kindness."
"Hello to all and thank you for a fantastic day out. It was one of those days when I could not decide if I was going to start or not and given the snow at the beginning I was seriously thinking of just getting back into the car. Thankfully I started and had one of the best runs in ages and put in my second best ever time. I notice we have been given the gun time, will the chip time be available? Thanks again for a very well run event. "
"Organisation was great, course was good - if taxing on hills :-)
Weather - well what can you say =:-0 all four seasons in one day.
Huge thanks to all the volunteers and marshalls who braved the
elements, and especially the young army cadets who where great with
their clapping and cheering
the detour via Aberdeen as the snow gates were closed on A9 just added
to the adventure :-) "
"Good evening,
Just a quick note to thank you all for your efforts in running todays event.
Admin, Website etc excellent as usual (new website is a great improvement). Also thanks must also go to all your helpers/marshalls for braving the conditions."
"This was my first half marathon, and with a couple of friends to keep me
going we all completed in about 2hrs 12mins. I think I enjoyed it. I liked
the route, especially along by the river and up through the woods by
Torbreck. Very impressed by all the marshalls, so many of whom were giving
enthusiastic words of encouragement to all the runners - much appreciated.
And I think they deserved medals for braving the cold weather - at least we
were keeping warm by running while they were patiently standing on duty!
The organisation in the sports centre was also good. And my son and his
friends enjoyed the 5K, and the goody bags.
So a very positive experience - many thanks!
"
"I wanted to e-mail as you have asked for feedback:-
First of all I would like to say that I (despite the weather) enjoyed the day, and the support from all the Marshalls was welcomed and helped. They were very enthusiastic, because it could not have been much fun for them standing around in that weather, but they did, and they all deserve a HUGE pat on the back.
There are some points however, that I would like to raise as feedback:-
Firstly I do not know where the 8 mile marker disappeared to, which was quite disheartening for a newby like me (my first half marathon).
More importantly though running down from the road bridge, and down past the River Ness on the way back, there was very few markers- I knew I had to run along Bught Road but new runners from outwith the area may not have known- having said that once I got to the bottom of that road, I had no idea where to go. There really needs to be some arrows to direct people along Bught Road and then right to the back of the stadium. When I walked backed to the car, there was a lady running and she had to ask me where to go. So that is the only thing i think could be really improved, particularly as thats when you are feeling cream crackered.
Thanks once again though for a enjoyable and unforgettable experience."
"Just a quick email to say many thanks indeed for yet another superbly organised event - really enjoyable and a great atmosphere, despite the best efforts of the weather to put a dampener on things. See you next year!
"
"This was my first but hopefully not last Inverness half marathon. what a day, I loved/hated every minute.
I'm sure that this will not the only email you get on this subject, can I just say a huge thank you to the marshals and water dispensers who stood in the freezing cold, sleet and snow to point us in the right direction. They were absolute heroes, it was bad enough running in such appalling weather it must have been 10 times worse for them. The encouragement and good humour that they handed out to the runners was greatly appreciated especially at times where legs and lungs were struggling"
"Hi, bad weather or not, the Inverness half marathon is still my favourite. I ran a PB which for a SV is very pleasing, not quite ready for the fireside and slippers just yet!
Well done to everyone who made this run a success.
"
"Many thanks for organising today's event. I have not run in one of the Inverness Half Marathons before but found it a well run event from registration to the finish line. I was particularly impressed by the information you sent before and the speed of registration. The hat was very useful given the weather conditions. There were a few tricky moments with speeding cars on the road sections which were not completely closed, but you can't control the behaviour of drivers.
The only other feedback I could offer is that my partner came to support me (he does not do running yet but I am working on it!). He found that there was a lack of a sign to show the way to the finish for supporters, was through the leisure centre entrance, could there be some directions for supports?
Overall a good day and many thanks to your and your staff."
"I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's race - and am now incarcerated in a secure hospital because this shows I must be mad! Actually, the weather was OK apart from the head wind on that last mile and a half up the banks of the Ness.
My suggestions for improvements are based on the Moray Half Marathon in Elgin in September:
Could we have more drinks stations and bottled water so you can carry it with you - more costly but a great benefit?
Looking forward to next year.
"
"Just wanted to say thanks to all the marshalls who put up with the dreadful weather yesterday. At least for us runners we were moving so keeping warm(ish). Without the marshalls events like this couldn't happen, really appreciate the smiles and encouragement. Thanks."
"Loved the hat - came in really useful in that weather! Great idea.
Enjoyed the race hugely as usual. I thought the weather made it more interesting.
Looking forward to next year.
Only one suggestion - prefer the colourful t-shirts of previous years rather than the white one this year. Not complaining, but you ask on the website for any feedback."
"Hello Inverness Half, Many thanks for the event, and particularly for all the volunteers who helped along the way with water, and encouragement. This was my first half marathon run. Kind sponsors have helped me to raise £250 so far for Macmillan Cancer Support. With thanks to them too for the help I received from Macmillan when I had cancer. Great day. In spite of the weather. Thanks to all."
"Congratulations on a fantastic race. Despite the hideous conditions the organisation was good and you managed to get every to the start line on time even though we did not want to leave the hall! It was a great route and I am proud that I successfully completed my first half marathon on such a nice route. Look forward to coming back next year.
"
"Well done on another great event, I really enjoyed it despite the weather. I enjoyed the small alterations to the route, particularly the new approach to the finish.
Fantastic goody bag, great value for the entry fee. Also really impressed with the speed of the results. A lot of events could take a leaf out of your organising book.
Always dread running it, but always really enjoy it afterwards.
Great job, see you next year.
"
"Excellent organisation. Really enjoyed the run. Appreciated the new finish/entry to the stadium - good idea. Marshalls on the course were excellent and very encouraging as were all involved at the start and the end of the event.
Thank - keep up the good work
"
"First of all thank you for another very well organised and enjoyable day (shame about the weather!). I have just a few comments that I hope you won't mind me writing about;
1. The marshalls were excellent! Especially the young cadets with their enthusiasm and encouraging comments - it's great to see young folk helping out like this and they really did make the effort worthwhile with their cheeriness.
2. The computerised results service is fantastic! You can see how everyone did within minutes of the event finishing. Some other races I've done it takes ages - so well done.
3. One negative comment - when you were getting near the Queens park, when you had to bear right opposite the entrance to the Aquadome, there was no distinct signpost to direct you right, and not straight ahead or to the left. The marshalls at that point were primarily concerned with directing cars exiting the Aquadome area, and also there were many non-runners (probably people who had finished the race) wandering up the pavement towards the entrance to the park. I thought this area could have been better organised, with a marshall to direct runners, better signage, and some way of keeping pedestrians off the pavement that the runners were using. There were a lot of folk right at the entrance to the park and it was a bit of a struggle to get through the crowd.
You can see from my time that I'm certainly not a serious athlete and probably the earlier runners had no bother, so I hope you don't mind me "complaining".
Thanks again for everything, including the freebies! Look forward to entering next year.
"
"Brilliant event, even with lousy weather. Hats off to all the marshalls and helpers who had to stand around for the duration. Many thanks
"
"I'd just like to say a big thanks you to all the organisers and volunteers involved in today's half marathon. From the registration to getting the goody bag at the end, everything was superbly organised and completely hassle free, well done all.
Hats off to them, not only just braving those conditions to help out, but for their enthusiasm and encouragement which was greatly appreciated by the runners.
The only negative was for whoever turned on that big wind machine for the last mile and a half, no need!
"
"The route (my first time) was beautiful.
The stewards were all very encouraging, especially commendable considering the crappy weather they had to stand about in!
The goodie bags, T-shirts and hats were all very impressive... that was a considerable amount of booty! If I could improve that on one aspect it would be the provision of a technical T so that, like the Baker Hughes T Shirts, it is something that everyone can wear while running... but I appreciate that this would likely cost more.
Saved the best for last.. fantastic medals... after running that far, and especially in the weather we had today, I was delighted that my main keepsake, the medal, was of such a high quality... soooo many events leave a 'bitter taste' with crappy medals so well done on the cracking medal.
Overall, very positive and most definitely hope to run the 1/2 again.
"
"Congratulations on another very successful half marathon, despite the weather. The organisation was first calss.
The only criticism I have is over the provision of water on the course. Would it not be possible to hand out small bottles? It is so difficult to drink on the run out of these plastic cups.
"
"Congratulations on another very successful half marathon, despite the weather. The organisation was first calss.
The only criticism I have is over the provision of water on the course. Would it not be possible to hand out small bottles? It is so difficult to drink on the run out of these plastic cups.
"
"My first race, thank you it seemed well organised and in particular the marshalls were encouraging and happy looking despite the wintry conditions. Only gripe is that there was one point in the course where we ran alongside a busy road without cones or marshalls; however, this was a short 100m+ section and did not detract from the overall experience. Thank you, I shall be entering next year"
"Was just on your site checking the results and saw that you were asking for feedback so though I would contact you. This was my third time running the Inverness Half and on the whole it was a good day. The course is a really good one a few hills and plenty of flat stretches and I think the change to the route through the houses is a really good one. Organisation is very good and all involved are very helpful. I think all the cadets, volunteers and police at the water stations and junctions and at the other points on the course were fantastic to be out there in such terrible weather conditions they really deserve a huge thanks! I couldn't believe they were all still shouting encouragement and many still had big smiles on their faces even though they must have been frozen and soaked to the skin!
I will certainly do this run again in the future as the only negative was the weather but nobody has control over that unfortunately.
"
"My feedback on the race is hugely positive. There was a definite point on the way to the start when I did consider not bothering, just as we passed a gritting lorry! However, we had driven 150 miles for this so decided to go for it. I am so glad we did. The route is great, loved the part along the lane and then through the woods, although the long slow hill out of the town into the wind is certainly a challenge. The marshals were fantastic and a cheery 'well done' or 'keep going' really does help, especially at the top of a hill. Great work by all the marshals and supporters, who must have been much colder than the runners were I did my best time for ages, despite the conditions and even managed a fast finish due to my friend's encouragement. Would recommend it to anyone and the weather is not unexpected for Inverness in March! Thanks for the great organisation and goody bag - I always feel like a kid getting my Christmas stocking when I start exploring what is inside and this one did not disappoint.
"
"This is the 8th consecutive year that I have run this wonderful half marathon, and once again, it was a wonderfully well organised event. The numbers of entrants appears to have increased every year - too capacity now I'm sure, but it remains a favourite on the calendar. I would like to thank all of the organisers and the marshals for all their hard work that we, the runners, never see behind the scenes. I was really impressed with the t-shirts this year, and absolutely loved the 25th anniversary hat. I shall treasure that with pride. And the race never fails to please with medal and goody bag. I feel that you are all unrecognised in so many of the things you do to make this race run so smoothly, so a very big, appreciative thank you to everybody involved. Kind regards, and see you again next year! "
"Hi Bob,
Thanks for getting back to me. I have looked online again and my result is there. I had such a good day it was good to see the result in black in white!
I have always enjoyed coming up to Inverness for the half marathon and am already looking forward to next year.
Many thanks to all involved in the organisation of race.
"
"Hi, This was my very first Half Marathon Race which I would have to say in a sick way I rather quite enjoyed it. The course was a good mix of terrain and even in the blizzard that got us at 3 miles in didn't dampen my spirits at all and I kept on going. A very well oragnised event and great hall space for changing and even the shower at the end was welcoming. An event I intend on doing again next year if I can manage. So a big thanks to the organisers and to all the marshals and the drink station staff for their support and help during the race."
"Hi -
It was my first half marathon, the weather was...interesting, but hats off to all the marshalls and cadets who stood along the route, they were in brilliant spirits and very encouraging. Traffic marshalls were clear in their directions which helped when approaching road crossings etc. Amazed at how many marshalls/firstaiders/drink station monitors were smiling ...especially towards the end, they must have been frozen!! Registration was simple and quick, and it was nice to be able to stay in the warm sports centre up until the start of the race.
Found the route clearly marked, and nice to have the route directions ahead of time to "practice". All the information provided before hand was great as well. Porta loos at the start were handy for those of us who like to ensure we are well hydrated!!! Hat/T-shirts well appreciated :)
Only small criticism is when I was heading towards the finish just past the florians there were people walking along the walkway path and cars on the road so there wasn't much room for runners, I know that is difficult to monitor but some sort of enclosure for runners might solve the problem...wouldn't be a problem if it was half way but at the end of the race i was too tired to run around folk!!
Thank you for all your organisation and hard work, i really enjoyed the day!
Cheers!
"
<< Previous Page |
| |
|
|
Home
