Asda Foundation City of Lincoln 10k and Fun Run

Normally this is a wonderful 10k, bit of a let down this year. Still OK but whoever was in charge of runner control at the start it was clearly their first 10k, and are probably in the crowd barrier rental business, either that or it was rent 1 get 4 free. Barriers everywhere. Access to the starting pens was limited to the point of being dangerous with only one narrow access point. The East side of the pens was totally fenced off for 2019 with absolutely no access. As the level of crowding increased eventually runners climbed over or shifted barriers to gain safe access. After a frustrating start the crowning glory was a bottle neck in the first 250 metres, runners at a standstill for 90 seconds, again simply down to over enthusiastic or inexperienced barrier planning, not sure about the logic of funnelling 2 lanes into 1 other than spare barrier storage. Same scenario at the finish, runners backing up narrow streets further narrowed with more barriers. Hopefully after works are complete the finish will be by the Cathedral and the Event Village will return to the Castle grounds. More importantly race and crowd control will have completed a course in fluid dynamics. Other than that a top day.

Oh dear, the start was hectic before we were able to start. Stuck in crowds of people with the same sim of trying to get to their starting points but not enough room or openings to enter or pass people trying to go the opposite way. Once we were off we were soon at a stand still. Why? Narrowing of the road and letting the few elite runners pass making the majority of the race wait. I have run six races in the past six months run by smaller organisations who made the races run smoother. The volunteers were as ever the stats of the show who are encouraging and helpful. Massive thank you to them. Waiting Collect bags, T-shirts and medals was terrible, we all got cold, cramped and felt like cattle. Sorry but I will think twice about running this one again, such a shame as its my home city and other races have put this one to shame. Again thank you volunteers. Xx

Good race, well organised and very well supported. Route was a little boring considering it is in such a historic city. Did enjoy the finish at the Cathedral and the event village in the castle grounds though. Free parking and shuttle buses back to the car parks was fantastic.