The Kent Christmas Cracker 5

The course is level and consists of well maintained, wide cinder paths/ cycle ways. The Kids dash and 2 mile options offer a wide choice, but there needs to be more time between the 3 starts- it was all rushed and those runners with children in the kids race couldn't enjoy that as they had to get to their own start. I had pre ordered an event Xmas shirt for collection on the day and found the poor ladies running the merchandising / on the day registration table overwhelmed, as so many turned up on the day or were changing which event they were running in, due to the high winds. The start of the race was also chaotic, as a wide line of runners had to funnel into the narrow start gate in a very short distance, to ensure their race chips registered correctly. The marshalls were very friendly and encouraging. Nice medal and Xmas Pudding on finishing were great....however, the start/finish were very exposed and high winds meant that anyone cheering at the Finish line quickly froze and then got very wet when it rained...as did the baggage drop! The toilets were a long way from the start and the queues for the Ladies portaloos was epic- longest Ive ever seen at a race. Worth noting that Parking at this event costs £3 in addition to the race entry fee and you can’t realistically park anywhere else. A final disappointment with the race organisation was that it appears Nice Work double issued my bib so my times weren’t recorded. Not great. I’m Still waiting for them to respond about that. Not sure I’ll do this race again unless they improve dramatically.

Loved this event. Great course great atmosphere, great organisation and fab medal. My only feedback as it is with every event I do - Please give the children more recognition for their achievements too. Children that love to run turn in to adults that love to run. My daughter won the kids dash and as usual no mention of her - her achievement should be celebrated as much as the adults. Also a little more time between kids race and adults - we nearly missed our start with only minutes between the two races. Thank you :-)

Great event. So well organised. Such an awesome atmosphere. Fantastic Marshalls around the course giving support and encouragement. Will definitely do again next year.

Well organised, a nice course which easy access, fab atmosphere with most people dressing up and brilliant medal and festive goodies after. A few areas to improve would be a secure bag drop, no one was manning it which was concerning, why add your race number to you bag when anyone can pick up you bag??? More Marshalls are needed on the course to assist with injured runners. I only saw them at the start finish hill and the turn around point about 1 mile in. With so many runners more are needed and it would add to the atmosphere. Parking at 3 a car is a lot when you are only there for a short period, could you not negotiate with the site to get free parking for those taking part?? A nice touch would be to put the year on the medals so that you know when you took part. Thanks for a nice event I hope my comments are take as constructive feedback.

Nice flattish course, well marshalled

Great course and as always friendly marshalls.

such a lovely race def doing it again next yr