Trackstar Review

By | 17th May 2017

Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon

Very well done to each and everyone of you who attempted or completed this crazy challenge. We never envisaged it would be so popular and sell out as quickly as it did!
Thank you to the marshals for their enthusiasm and to Nice Work! for providing the timing services. Judith did a fantastic job for us in the kitchen once again, providing spectators and runners with tea, coffee and home made cakes.

start

Thanks also goes to:

  • Kylie – Photography services
  • Core Running – Pop up shop and spot prize vouchers
  • Chris Field – Massage Therapy – Winners vouchers. (Don’t forget to book in with Chris: Chrisfieldmassage@yahoo.com)
  • Domino’s Pizza – Spot prize vouchers
  • Tribe Sports – Discount code for runners (below)
  • Yazoo – Milkshakes
  • Sport Eastbourne / Eastbourne Borough Council – Venue

Results

The results are available on the Nice Work! website.

Please email queries to info@nice-work.org.uk

How it went

Being runners ourselves, we pride ourselves on making our events as we would like to find them if we were going to run them. On that front, we worked hard to keep costs to runners as low as possible, made sure the venue was tidy the day before, provided free tea and coffee to runners; be as friendly, welcoming and as clear as possible in our instructions.

The weather was fairly warm for runners, I’m not sure that breeze helped. You’ll be pleased to know we got caught in a deluge when we arrived to set up at 6:30 am! We also managed to trigger the alarm system when we arrived, what a start! There was a nice buzz around the place as runners started to arrive, and a popular playlist to provide some entertainment during the repetitiveness.

We had a lot to get right for this run. In theory it’s simple, but this was our first run with a full UKA license, and an England Athletics official was in attendance. I’m pleased to say he was really happy with the set up, our signage and instructions. Most of all he had a great day watching you all!

Nice Work! did a sterling job for us on the timing. Without them, this event would not have been possible, and I doubt there are many timing companies that would take on this challenge. I witnessed the frustrations as at busy times, they could not always feed back lap times to runners who didn’t have a counting method. Their primary role was timing and looking out for the people on their 105th lap! We are really grateful to those who followed the pre-race advice we put together and brought their own counting method. Runners who used the clickers found them really helpful. We do understand though; dependant on cost, a lap counting display is something we are considering for the future (but that’s not a promise!)

We pro actively monitor social media for feedback and ideas (as runners – we’re members of lots of the same groups as you!), but please let us know if there’s anything we could do better.

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Next year

We are provisonally booked in at the venue and with Nice Work! for Eastbourne Trackstar Marathon II, on the same weekend next year Sunday 13th May 2018. We would love to make this an annual event as it’s a great spectacle for the town. Watch this space for an official announcement.

Upcoming Events

We have two 6 hour challenge events coming up soon:

An out and out trail run on a 3.8 mile loop in Sussex woodland

A simple, flat, 4.4 mile out and back tarmac course starting at 4pm from Winchelsea Beach

Both of these runs, you just have to complete one lap to finish – although it’s better value if you run more!