Race:

 

Harwich 5km Series

Date:

 

5/6/08 (race 3)

Distance:

 

5km

Entry Fee:

 

£2 (affiliated) £4 (non)

Car Parking:

8/10

Ample parking in the social club car park and a large grass field to the rear.  No problems encountered but the field could be a problem in heavy rain.

Finishing Prize:

 

None for finishing.  There are prizes for 1st in handicap, fastest man, fastest woman, fastest age related, and spot prizes.  Sports shop vouchers from the sponsor, towels, bottles of wine.

Organisation:

5/10

Complicated by the handicap system.  A long wait for faster runners at the start and VERY congested at the finish.  I lost around 3-4 seconds due to being held up before the line.

Refreshments:

7/10

Fine.  Teas, squash etc and homemade cakes.

Chance of running a PB:

9/10

Given good weather 10/10 due to the start being lower than the finish and 90% on dead flat promenade.  Just the congestion at the finish makes it a 9/10.

Atmosphere:

6/10

Very little support out on the course.

Race Website:

9/10

All info there.  The results are published VERY quickly on the night.  Much better this year.

Directions and Instructions Sent:

 

None sent.  Pick up your number on the night.  All info is on the website.

Marshalls:

7/10

Fine.  3 marshals out on the simple course.  The finish marshals had trouble getting everyone through the funnel at the end though.

What Was The Course Like:

 

½km on the road with a steepish downhill (100m approx) - The rest is completely flat sea front promenade with a ‘dogleg’ turn around point at 3km.

How Many Where In The Race:

 

112 (race 3).  Historically the series attracts between 90 and 130 runners.

Conclusion:

7/10

It's a good local race with a great potential for a PB and a unique sea front course.  The handicap system does make the organisation suffer, but in fairness it has been better this year than in the past.

Fastest Time Men:

 

16:26

Fastest Time Women:

 

17:18

 

Disclaimer:

All opinions expressed are those of the Review My Run team and users, and do not represent 
the official opinions of any organization.