When & Where
| Date: | Friday, 18.11.2011 |
| Start Time: | 06:30 am |
| City: | Abu Dhabi |
| Country: | UAE  |
| Location: | Flash Forum, Yas Island |
Average ratings
“Great day! Excellent team to support the runners, and the volunteers cheers were so much appreciated! Thanks!”
“No spectator at all, but very good support team.”
“Needs more water stattions; fortunately, I was able to get some water from a marshall. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to finihs”
“One of the most important races of the season. Well organized, great course which I measured bang on 10km! Looking forward to next year. Struggled to pick up race number at the collection point in Dubai as time frame to do so was limited, but a quick e-mail mean't I could conveniently pick up it on race morning. Thank you.”
“really hope we can be part of this again next year. thanks to Steve and all the team :-) ”
“The course was great. Flat, well there were two minor "bumps", single loop track with plenty of water stations en route. Categories for the overall winners needs to be sorted out though.”
“I felt the move from the Corniche to Yas Island benefitted the runners because it allowed us to spread out a bit more than last year, which felt very congested at times. Also, moving the race back a few weeks, and the start time up by an hour really helped with the hot temperatures and the sun. Overall it's a good, smaller local race with good volunteer support. I'll continue to run it every year.”
“Excellent job in organizing this event. Some comments to improve things for next year: -Liked the music and the ambience at the arrival, although the volunteers were too 'aggressive' in wanting to take the chip off my shoes. Runners can't stop immediately and need to walk it off. - After the start of the race, the 1st section to the restaurant was poorly designed, because you had racer going in all together and already the leaders coming out, but they didn't have any space to run, which slowed them down. - For some reason, I like the course on the corniche better, since you get a larger crowed to cheer. Although I understand that the number of participants is getting larger and the parking lot on Yas seemed to be perfect for this event. ”
“Thank you all ”
“Could have had more support for latecomers, e.g., route markers along the way”
“Well organised event. Adequate water stations, nice runner's T-shirt, good distance markings on course. I liked the event and I'll come back. I got some running gear I was looking for right after the race so I'm very pleased over all. Congratulations.”
“Great race - just would have liked more options for big pick up, and also more signs from Sheikh Zayed Rd to the start/car park. would have been nice to go on the track too - maybe for the finish? but overall, superb race - great that the marshalls were so enthusiastic in cheering us on and I much preferred the course to the Corniche one we did in 2010”
“Finish being dismantled/abandoned when lots of people still on course. Nothing more demeaning for those people. One guy finishing same time as YAS presentation concluding! Dogleg at end not necesssary, same sort of tactic killed last years course”
“Thanks.”
“Having free massages at the end of the race would be great versus up at the "victory meal"....good event though...thanks for organizing! ”
“I think the event comes at the right time before Dubai Marathon and most runners will definitely have to put it in their calendar. It is a very helpful test and a great opportunity to see who's who and what's new. I will try to help next time and give a hand with the volunteers. The security on the track was a bit loose between the 12th and the 14th km, especially on the bridge where some buses passed very close by, and runners were divided to both, left and right, because the track was not clearly indicated. I liked the event and I'll come back for sure, maybe even join some of your weekly runs. I got some running gear I was looking for right after the race so I'm pleased over all. All the best, congratulations and many more from now on! Mihai”
“Overall, a really good event even though it's an early start coming from Dubai to start at 6.30 or 7 am. Great to have the support of volunteers all the way around. The following are just some minor criticisms. I was disappointed that the prize giving ceremonies were at a separate location to the finish line; that loses a lot of the atmosphere. I also thought it was only open to those who had paid for the breakfast. Having the km markers was great but the last 1 km seems to have been a bit more distance than 1 km. Also, why no net and gross times with Premier Timing? It looks like our times are just gross which is a shame for those that started later. Only one bib/chip pick up time for those in Dubai made it difficult. Perhaps have the finish next time at the Viceroy or at one of the hotels? ”
“A good run. Course is a bit desolate, medal has no year on it!”
“Well organized, from registration process to checking personal stats on results page of website. Adequate water stations, nice runner's T-shirt, plenty of toilets at start, good distance markings on course. As improvement would only suggest runner's photos. Well done!”
“The prizing ceremony should be in the finish line because a lot of participants didn t attend it. ”
“Will definitely run the race again next year!”
“I loved all the motivational posters next to the road. It made me smile and made me feel proud of myself. That made my 21.1km run worth while!”
“this is my first event in my life time .my wife encouraged me to take part in this event . i hope i will not miss even single event . thanks to the organizer and all the volenter friends . thanks”
“The only suggestion woudl be a possible time check - even if it is just someone calling out times at the 10K or halfway mark from a watch for those of us who do not wear one while running.”
“First two water stations on half marathon course were worrying as they were distributing plastic cups of water - obviously whoever organised them had never tried to drink a cup of water whilst running! Thankfully they improved after that. Overall though the event lacked any atmosphere particularly when passing the finish line - atmosphere at RAK Half Marathon was much better.”
“Overall I think the organisation was good and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the event.”
“Course was much better this year with more water stations. T-shirt and medal were really nice as well. Great job! ”
“The one thing that needs organisation is the wesbite, it's an absolute disaster! It needs to be all on one page, the event course map, the FAQS, the registration, the collection points and days. It was quite difficult to keep switching wesbite”
“We saw some guys taking pics during the race, are you posting the pics on your website?”
“Overall the race well organised - and plenty support/cheering along the way. It would be appreciated though on entering Yas Island there would be markers to direct to starting area. The ablution facilities too far away from the start/finish area The water stations too far apart after 10km and not enough helpers per table - cause delay Give cups of water instead of bottles - a lot of waste An electrolyte type replacement drink - would greatly help during the half marathon. Thank you for all your efforts - these few suggestions did not deter me from entering this event again. Keep up the good work. Thank you”
“These are not critics, just suggestions. - Lack of signs/indications for the Bib distribution desk for runners flying in. - Lack of signs/indications for WC. - Handing out full Gatorade bottle lead to waste of 3/4 of the bottle, vs. small cups only might be better. - No timing at 10km. - No certificate desk at finish line. - No massage zone.”
“All round success. Great new venue. Perhaps a timing mat at the turnaround points might be welcome. But that is the most minor of criticisms. Oh, and the commentator talks a lot! But then he put on an excellent race...”
“Good organising it should be appreciated but there was not any toilet all the way and no medical support I find for runners. I know It was there in the village but I don’t think it was enough wen no all most runners was not careening there mobile phones. And if you would avoid those 2 hills on the way it would be mor confortable Thanks ”
“Running on the opposite side of the same road was a bit boring. A more scenic route would have been better. Nevertheless, the volunteers who served water and encouraged the runners did a great job. VLCC did a great job with the stretching.”
“Was a great event - thanks to the organization!”
“Loving how easy it was to park and walk to the start. Well organised, plenty of water stations. Nice flat course but a bit repetitive ”
“First time I participate to a sporting competition and Im happy I did. Im sure this will be the first race of many to come as I think I am now hooked and want to set new goals and striving for improvements and help me quit my bad unhealthy habits :) many thanks ”
“Once again, this event was very well done. From the leadership to the volunteers who made it happen, I am very grateful for all the work that you do! It was a new venue from last year, so I am sure even that much more work went into it. I had a great time running the race, and will definately come back!. ”
“Needed a few more water stations, especially at the end of the course”
“Thank you all, volunteers, Marshals and organizers, Steve for all your efforts to make us enjoy the morning....”
“A well organized race, great course and a couple of challenging hills. Spot on for distance and accurate km markers. The water was a difficult to get in the cups at drinks stations. Fantastic post race venue, best in the UAE. The prize allocation was a little hard to follow. Cannot see the logic of not making the "Open" available to all ages rather than what appeared to be an over 18 and under 40 category. Following the logic that if you win in the open you are then discounted from your age category. The overall winner was the young Kenyan but he did not receive the honour. This also had implications in other age categories.”
“loved the support of the attendants on the way around the course, as well as the billboards - it was all so encouraging, friendly, supportive and fun. This was my first event and so I didn't know the procedures or where to go as I'm not from Abu Dhabi, but everything was explained really well and I'm definitely going to do this again. Thanks for a wonderful experience. ”
“Considering this is the first time it was held at the new location, i thought that the race itself went without a hitch. Knowing the organisation committee as i do, the hours and dedication they put into making this event work really paid off. Well done to everyone. Just a comment about the timing mats. I would have thought there would have been a mat at the halfway mark, but beleive there is a cost issue with extra mats. Would have preferred to have the reward ceremony over at the flash forum immediately after the event, as more people would attend as the general thought (from many of us) was that to attend the awards, you had to have a brunch ticket..which was untrue, but it was easy to think that and quite a high number of athletes had departed prior to the ceremony. Overall a great event and worth doing.”
“Keep up the good work. This event could get even better by small tweaks. KM markers need to be accurate. Keep trucks away from the race course. ”
“An excellent race, but the toilets on the course were either locked (and empty) or non-existent. I ended up using the bushes... after which my race went very well. Thank you!”
“Great venue for the course!”
“Great evetn" great organisation, is now a topper in uae”
“Best one yet for me (this is my third here). So many things better than last year-started race earlier (so cooler and finished earlier) and half marathon started BEFORE the 10km race which makes much more sense. Soooo so so nice to have toilets ALONG the course rather than just the start and finish. Could see the km markers so much easier this year and the course was quite interesting and you didn't feel you were just doing continuous laps of the one circuit. Well done to the organisers.”
“make it 2 times a year perfect tanks ”
“Thank you to everybody involved in organising this event. Everything was fantastic from start to finish and everything in between.”
“Very easy to get to the start line with an easy getaway. The course was one of the best I've seen here in the UAE. Wasn't sure about being given full bottles of water mid-race, however I found it was due to miscommunication where cups went to the wrong water stations. The post-race handouts were great, from icey poles, water, bananas, as well as the Abu Dhabi Striders bags filled with great recovery products and the bag itself will prove to be very useful, as well as the Saucony racing shirts. The ADCB stretch down zone was very relieving to ensure the best recovery. Highlight of the event was the 75 dhs post race recovery barbeque at the Yas Viceroy Hotel. The fruit and veg was fresh with great cold oranges. The barbequed meat was also sensational and a great way to treat yourself after all the hard work. Everyone there were also offered free neck and leg massages which was a great way to relax. Finally, the presentations went off without a hitch and included some extraordinary prizes for those who achieved certain places as well as just those who participated and were quick enough to get to the stage. Luckily I walked away with a free dinner for two at the Intercotinental Hotel worth 400 dhs. Looking forward to next year!!”
“This was a great race. Very well organized, sufficient water stations. The volunteers were excellent at cheering and encouraging. The staff at the Yas Hotel were also very encouraging! The time of the race was perfect for temperatures. The only suggestion I would make is to have bathrooms available along the race route. Would definitely do this race again. Thanks to the organizers! ”
“Generally a good event, only three suggested improvements.....water not cold enough at water stops and the water handouts could have been better organized. Only why no gross and net time split?”