Southport (£24.75 entry)
Thought I would add a review of my favourite 10k of the year, The Southport Mad Dog 10k held in February every year. 2015 will be the 5th running of this popular event, it will be my third; with many more to come
Each year the race has a theme, as you can see this year its Game of Bones (Game of Thrones!!). Each race has a custom logo which is superbly represented on the excellent medal and probably the best T Shirt you will get in any race (I have yet to see anything better!)
The main problem I have encountered with running events is the anxiety before the race with getting there, parking up, and getting to the start in time. No such problem here, the organiser have sorted plenty of free parking at a local car park, unfortunately this is not within walking distance (weather wise you probably wouldn't want to anyway), however this is sorted by plenty of free shuttle bus rides to the start (GNR take note FREE!!!) these buses get you to the start in plenty of time to collect your fantastic Tshirt and to prepare for the race by getting a pre race massage. There's a baggage collection area within the school sports hall and some local shops offering some sports goods for sale. Theres a great atmosphere in the hall, its a great place to meet new friends, and its warm (which it usually isn't outside!)
The organisers give you plenty of warning to get to the start which is only minutes away from the sportshall, and all the locals are out in force to support the 2000 runners at the start of their run. The route takes you along the Coastal road under the famous Southport Pier, loops around the Pleasure Beach, then takes you around the Boating lake and returns back along the Coastal rd back to the Start. There's plenty of support around the course, notably from the local Sea Cadets who turn out in force to marshall the race and offer encouragement and a friendly smile.
There's plenty of entertainment around the course with local groups turning out to keep runners motivated from Elvis to an African drumming group which always add a boost to tired runners. Fancy dress is always encouraged as you can see below, with the organisers offering cash prizes for the best fancy dress on the day! You can also win an Ipad by getting at least £10 sponsors, or an ipod by submitting a photo of you in your maddog Tshirt in interesting places.
So I finally made it to the end in 2014, after months of injury it wasn't my best result ever, but the atmosphere of the race more than mad up for it, and the goody bag WOW!! you will not get better than this one, full of goodies and the fantastic medal.
There's also a fantastic run for younger runners the Crazy pups run which takes place before the main race, a perfect opportunity for your pups to earn a great medal.
If your a runner and haven't run this race before, I would highly recommend this one, superb value for money, superb Tshirt and medal, and a fantastic doggy bag. Great support and entertainment around the course, and its a flat PB running course, weather dependant, (last years wind was horrendous).
And best of all the organisers do all of this for FREE, everything goes to charity, you cant say better than that!!!
5/5 - a definite must for runners of all abilities
see the official video of the event
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