Dorney Lake Winter Half Marathon

THE BAD: Race instructions were clearly pinched from the triathlon as they instructed you to bring a bike!Collecting the numbers was a bit confusing as I didn't see any signage and there was a lot of finishing off triathletes around preparing for a presentation and doing their own post race stuff so it was all a bit baffling. Not that amused that F3events website described it as a "fully licensed and certified by UK Athletics" course, but didn't make it clear it's not got a UKA/runbritain race license so won't count on Power of 10 or RunBritain. Probably wouldn't have paid the 35 entry if I'd known that - you only get a generic sort of medal for it, so I'm not sure what the entry fee goes on.THE GOODThe car parking attendants on the day were very helpful at managing a mass of cars - be aware that you might end up parked about half a mile from the meeting area though as they park along the road once. Not many runners so no getting jostled and held up along the wayHad a 1.40 pacer, which was unusual and very helpful for me. Water stations well stocked and friendly volunteersDefinitely a flat course and lots of pb potential and I quite enjoyed knowing what was coming each lap so I could judge my pace

Great flat course as advertised, with water stops and gels every 2.5km or so. Facilities before the start and after were also good, with use of boat house.

Great race for all abilities. Flat course with great support. Ive done this event several times and hope to be back for more

Expensive!!Didnt seem particularly well organised. Zero signage to help out with registration, start or finish areas. Joining instructions were useless- clearly a cut and paste from another event and course map was incorrect.Course was pretty mind numbing but that was to be expected with a 4 lap race.Not entirely sure where the 30+ entry fee went - other than to F3 events in profit.Much better organised and value for money events out there.

I chose this course as part of my training towards other events but also because of the pb potential. I completed an Olympic duathlon back in November 18 so knew that the course was relatively flat. The race briefing was a little behind schedule although clear on the course to run and instructions provided. The atmosphere was also friendly and I chatted with a few people to see what their goals were and if they had run here before. The pack for the event was mixed which is great to see a blend of experience. The race itself was very good and easy to manage your pace in line with your strategy. I predominantly run trail events so it was a change for me to run multi laps on flat tarmac. Once set in, it is mainly 4 laps (not always great completing laps as there isnt much to see but that is not why i entered)so you chalk them off as you go, knowing that once lap 2 is out the way you are over half way round. My goal was to have a new pb and beat 1:32:44 so I was aiming for 1:30. Conditions were great on the day, not hot a and very little breeze. I finished on 1:29.04 so very happy. It is worth noting that the straight back to the boathouse is a little deceiving and felt very slightly uphill. Would I compete here again, yes I would. Very well organised as there were many events on the day and friendly competitors/marshalls alike.

The event was very well set up and registration was very straightforward.Nice course, flat and scenic. I think it would be a beautiful run in the summer as it was a bit grey and chilly. But enjoyable none the less

A no-nonsense extremely flat course, ideal for getting a HM PB (which I did -7mins). Really well organised and very close parking. Would thoroughly recommend this course.

Event was very well organised, the course was accurately measured and pretty flat. There was water and gels on the course and the results were available immediately afterwards.Would definitely run it again.

Course was OK but a bit boring as its juat 4 laps of a lake. Not the best organisation either leaving was a bit chaotic du to lack of people directing you. Also no way of getting your chipped time on line so I have no idea what it was. Just have to go by my own watch time.

Great flat course, quite windy at times