The inaugural Rutland Spring Half Marathon was held on 8th April 2018. This is run around the paths and roads of Rutland Water and provides some stunning scenery. All race information was emailed out prior to the race including updates on the potential conditions (I.e. the likelihood of getting wet and muddy) which was useful.

The race itself starts from the Barnsdale area of Rutland Water and we were advised that parking there is limited. The recommended car parking was therefore at Whitwell - normally charged for but was free to runners on the day. Someone very kindly pushed the button to open the barrier for everyone and then you were immediately issued with a replacement ticket to enable your exit later. Despite this being the recommended car park there weren't enough spaces.

We didn't arrive late but still had to park 'innovatively' and there were many others arriving after us who must have really struggled. The organisers are hoping to increase the number of participants next year so they will need to sort this out. There is then a good 10 to 15 minute walk to the start area so the advice is not to arrive too late! You pick up your race number and timing chip there and there was a handy marquee where you could fill in the back of your race number in the dry.

The start area initially felt a bit small to accommodate 600 runners and their supporters but at least there is little chance to get lost! Baggage storage was provided and somewhat bizarrely your bag was put into another bag on which they scribbled your number before it was whisked away. As ever the toilet queue was fairly lengthy but to be fair it moved along quickly so I would say that there was adequate provision (unusually).

An announcer gave us a run down of what to expect of the course before we finally got away precisely at 10am. Despite the small area and the number of runners we started at the back and were through the start within 2 minutes. The course itself is either on tarmac paths (alongside roads) or on the gravel paths of Rutland Water. However, despite the persistent rain that had fallen for days before the race, and the warnings sent to us for potential muddy areas, the conditions were fine underfoot with only minimal areas that were wet or slightly muddy.

The course is an elongated lollipop that starts from Barnsdale and heads out for a mile towards the main road. You then run for about 3 miles before running onto the Rutland Water peninsula. The views are fantastic as you circumnavigate the whole of the peninsula before returning to the main road and retracing your steps along the road and then back onto the Rutland Water paths.

The course is not flat.

At the start you immediately run up and down two fairly challenging slopes. As the course is a lollipop you therefore know that you will have to do those again in reverse right at the end of the race. Always good to have something to look forward to. The road sections are largely flat but the peninsula can only be described as 'undulating' and some of the undulations are more challenging than others. Also, at some points the paths are quite narrow. For us at the back of the field this was never a problem but I can imagine if you are in the cut and thrust of the leading pack there might be some jostling (I wouldn't know, I've never been in that position).

There were lots of water stations (actually feed stations) with water in plastic cups, crisps, biscuits and bananas. In places marshalls were a little sparse but there were enough at the important points and the course was very well signposted. The course came up short on my Garmin at 12.99 miles but that may well be due to the undulating nature of the course. Once you've negotiated the final two hills and run down through the finish you are given water and your medal. Then into the marquee where there is......cake!

Lots and lots of cake. Just help yourself.

After the cake you're given your t-shirt (presumably after the cake in case you need to go up a size). Unfortunately it's not a technical t-shirt which is one of the very few disappointments from the day. In summary, this is a well organised, relaxed race. It's not one for those chasing a personal best but has some of the best scenery I've encountered at an event.

Pro's: the scenery, free parking, well organised, adequate toilets, plenty of water/feed stations, cake, nice medal, if you like hills it's not flat.

Cons: limited parking, not a technical t-shirt, not cheap (£28), if you don't like hills it's not flat!

Caroline.