QUOTES FROM 2008
These are a few of the comments left by runners on the Runners World website last year.
In short: Fantastic organisation, very friendlyIn full: A great Saturday morning. Count me in for 2009, or for more in the summer.
It was a great 10 mile run! Would love to do it again.
In full: I have been running for several years but just started to get serious as I will be running my first marathon this year. I have not run in a race in a few years and have only run 10 miles a few times. That being said, I think this was an excellent "return" race and a very friendly introduction to a longer race. Many thanks to the organizers!
Good flat race, well organised and great to have a run that early in the morning!
Very well organised ,friendly with lots of smiles .Also like the course and the early start.
brilliant way to start the weekend
My first, so nerve racking, race... but a great mix of ages and abilities.. I really needn't have worried.
Good PB course. Possibly the best in London.
A great race, friendly, fast, fun and very well organised. I'd recommend it to anyone! I got a PB so very happy and a trophy!
Lovely atmosphere. My first race and I'm looking forward to the next
Was my first, and won’t be my last. Very enjoyable.
My first 10k run. Perfect weather for it. Thoroughly enjoyed it and left with a smile on my face. PB as well which made me want to shave another couple of minutes off next time!
Thank you!
a great race for first timers - you are made to feel welcome
As a first timer I did not know what to expect, but everything went smoothly. I receive a comprehensive email with instructions that were spot on. Easy parking, friendly organisers and marshalls, runners of all capabilities turned up so I did not feel out of place. I shall definitely do it again to improve my time (which was better than expected: the course was not fiendish and I felt good!)
A race that leaves you warm inside (!). The volunteers who sign you in are friendly; there's someone shouting out your halfway split; the drinks marshalls are FANTASTIC: one even jogged along so that I didn't have to slow to collect mine; your time is called out as you finish; there are prizes galore (in the open category from 1-7); and the last finisher gets just as much of a cheer as the first. Brilliant.
2009
A nice race, well organised
This was a very nice race to be part of. Well organised, well attended and flat! The only issue was the 8am start which was a bit early, however it did then leave the rest of the weekend free to feel good about yourself
Good race, nice scenery, well organised. The whole shebang
Very well organized, great atmosphere and always a pleasure to run Battersea.
2nd event run by these guys and they have 2 of the best I've experienced as the event organisers really seem to appreciate what runners are looking for in a race.
A race for all abilities...
8am start was rather early but my 5am wake-up was amply rewarded.
Perfect PB conditions for this race given the lack of wind, it is mentally tough having to do 3 and-a-half laps but the course is nice and flat and I did manage a new PB. Organisers and marshals were very friendly and encouraging which gave the whole event a relaxed atmosphere. Only slight gripe was a very small number of back markers wearing those wretched I-pods who weren't aware of being overtaken, causing last second avoidance swerves. But I must say the vast, vast majority of lapped runners were fine - and big thanks to those who actually shouted encouragement at me!
Probably *the* friendliest race series in London
It's hard to fault the Run and Become shop and their Self Transcendence race series. Small event but very friendly and very good support staff/marshalling.
I personally like Battersea park, although it's fairly small, so 10 miles ended up to be 6 laps. Due to trees a lot of shadows which made it easier in the summer heat though.
10miles round the lovely Battersea Park on a gloriously sunny morning and finished by just after 9am. Well run with a good cross-section of runner. Perfect!
Fantastic race once again. Well organised; encouraging marshals; super-fast course in a nice park. And a PB by 2.5 minutes: a great start to a Saturday morning
Lots of serious runners in training but good for the beginner or slower runner that needs encouragement. I used it as training for a half-marathon, grueling but a jewel. There aren't many places in London to go running where you leave the traffic and noise behind. Well worth it!
Great start to the weekend. Friendly, informal but efficient, suitable for all
Loved it last time and just as good second time around
OK, so with 5.75 laps it's actually more 11.5th time around, but you get the picture.
There's a really nice, friendly, relaxed vibe about this race which is hard to beat.
It ain't broke (in fact, I'd say it's in pretty much perfect working order), so they don't need to fix it.
Quotes from 2007:
This is a fast flat course with friendly marshals and an unintimidating atmosphere. It is also good value for money which helps!
A great way to start the weekend, and a great entry level race for inexperienced runners or a time trial for the speeedier footed. Early start means that it doesn't interfere with the rest of the weekend!
First time at Battersea and thoroughly enjoyed it. 2 and a bit laps around good wide park tarmac paths. Wide mix of ability from those finishing in under 30mins to those nearer an hour so I'd recommend for first timers. Good marshalling throughout, smooth unfussy organisation, granola bars and apples at the end. Overall cracking value and I'll be looking to more of these next year. Hope they keep them going in 2008.
nice and early, beautiful sun rise, great marshals..definitely recommend it to others
I love these early-morning Saturday runs - sets me up for the whole weekend.
Very, very enjoyable. Good organisation, friendly, lovely views of Albert Bridge in the evening sunlight
Would definitely do it again, and am looking forward to more of the same. The race marshals were particularly helpful and friendly, and actually liked not getting a goody bag because they're mostly filled with stuff you don't need.
Useful inclusion to your race season.
Good, competitive field to pull you along if looking for fast time.
Well organised, no hassle, convenient
"Low tech" and small enough to hear a marshal announcing the start and wishing everyone well. The marshals (from the run and become running shop) were enthusiastic and cheerful, which was nice.
The course is flatter than a flat pancake and the park is nice and quiet at 8am. Free parking too, for those who can be back to their cars before 9am. Car park is only a dozen steps from the finish, which is laden with free apples and cereal bars.
The race was run by a friendly and supportive bunch, and everybody was made to feel welcome. There were some gazelles up the front, but the biggest cheers were reserved for those whose completion of the course was a victory in itself.
I got the impression this is one of the most welcoming events for beginners, and/or slower runners.
A really nice start to the weekend, and I will be back for other races in the series in 2008.
