About the race
It is quite a strange feeling lining up with 10,000 other runners knowing that normally it is F1 racing cars that are in your place. There is a fantastic atmosphere at the beginning of the race and it is unlikely that you are more than a few feet from another charity runner. The support at the start isn’t quite how you see it on TV when watching F1 but for everyone running for charity, it definitely gets you excited. As you set off on the first few miles, it is a real pleasure taking in the view of the grandstands and picturing how some of the greats of F1 managed to take some of the twists and turns at such high speed. Especially when you will see the odd person taking a tumble at a fraction of an F1 cars speed! Unfortunately, after the first lap the realisation hits that you have to do the whole thing again. If you are there for a fast time and you can concentrate this race is probably fantastic but if it wasn’t for the cheers you receive as you start the second lap you might wish this was a 10k. The end of the race does do a very good job of making up for everything as you are given a huge cheer and round of applause by a huge number of charity supporters, friends and family.
Fundraising
This is a half marathon and gives you a good talking point when approaching potential donors so use this to your advantage and aim for £750. Check out the run for charity fundraising A to Z for some great ideas to help you reach your target.
Support on race day
The support on race day is not ideal as everyone who wants to get close to the action is stuck behind the steel bars designed to hold supporters back at the F1. Does not really promote a good happy charity run feel. The first and last half mile does see a really good level of support and the fact you pass them both twice is a really good thing.
Training
This is a relatively flat 2 lap course so a straightforward half marathon training plan will be fine. If you can practice running around your local go kart track that would be a good place to start!
Quality of race organisers
The race organisers are fantastic, they are the team that organises the Virgin London Marathon and on the day everything runs like clockwork. The information provided before the race is not always very timely and the race website really needs to be organised and presented in a better way. The medal and goody bags are both good but could do with a more Silverstone feel.
