MEC LONDON RACE FIVE

My first MEC run. I enjoyed it for sure. Well organized and good instructions. I agree with the person that mentioned that the faster people should be encouraged to go to the front to avoid the weaving in and around the slower runners.
Loved the food and snacks at the end.
Only one thing I’d would like to add is that for someone that is new to running encouragement is great, more people doing that would have been a bonus!!
Thanks for putting on the run, I will definitely do more next year!!

I LOVE MEC races. They are well organized, full of friendly faces, and you get to race without all the bells and whistles. The price is on point and makes races so much more accessible for so many people. Thanks for a great race! My only suggestion is to have kleenex at the water stations too ;)

You can’t beat the quality of these races for the price. Great routes, awesome staff on course, and pretty decent food spread afterwards all for $15! Whether you’re a new runner or a seasoned athlete needing a training race there is something for everyone. Can’t wait until next race series. Kudos MEC London!

Great as usual! I will likely sign up for a third series next year!

May I say, everything you do with regards to the races you put on, is exceptional but I do wish to make one (1) small suggestion.
In the races I have run, there is recognition for the top three (3) male and female finishers only, regardless of age. I try to do my very best, however I am a 61 year old male and getting in the top three is next to impossible. The top three are almost always significantly young than me.
Would or could you consider recognition for say two (2) age groups, one up to 39 and one 40+ or some other split that represents the runners participating in the race?
I appreciate your time on this and all that MEC does for our running community.
Jeff

Well organized! Perfect price! Will definitely Be back for more next year!

Thanks for coordinating! Fun race thanks!

The MEC race series is a great way to commit to improving your running goals throughout the year without the medals and t-shirt souvenirs. The price point you offer is perfect and your pre- and post- food and drink offerings are helpful for an easy way to prepare and end the race.

I started off the year with a 5K road race, tried a 6K trail, and ended with a 10K road race and I'm so happy with my results!

The volunteers are so welcoming with their cheers, customer service and attention to detail. The email correspondence with Allie has been great and all the information that I needed was all there.

I don't have many growth suggestions as there are so many glowing reviews. I didn't see the jujubes at this race and that's usually my treat after a run. It would have been cute to tie a Halloween recovery treat with this race.

Looking forward to next year!

Amazing event, great course, great turnout, and great organization! Thank-you MEC for another great racing opportunity!
The only thing missing at this race, compared to the previous races in the series, was the post-race massage!

I am new to racing. I did the last two races of the series and both times found the races well run, fun and motivating. I like the details: toilets, snacks, reminder e-mails with maps , kilometer markings on the route, lots of volunteers ...

Great races!

This was my 4th MEC London race of the year and I've been happy with all of them. I appreciate the low cost, the friendly staff and volunteers, and the generally laid-back feeling. The race start this time was a little delayed so last-minute attendees could register - I was glad the delay was short, as I was getting cold standing around!

Everything you could ask for in a race: post race snacks, well organized, chip timed, and FREE PHOTOS! All for a great price!

What a perfect weekend for a beautiful fall trail run! The fall colours in Gibbons Park were gorgeous. Wonderful trail run along the Thames River, through the woods and through beautiful rolling green Gibbons Park. Even a few logs to jump over and some winding trails to keep things fun and interesting. Very well organized, great snacks afterwards and even post-race massages available. Affordable entry fees, fun, positive and very efficient posting of race results and photos. Thank-you for organizing such a fun event!

Overall a good race on a certified out and back course. However, the late start was unfortunate as some of us had done a warm up with the 9 a.m. start in mind. It would also be helpful to have the announcer ask runners to seed themselves accordingly so that the faster runners are not weaving around trying to get ahead over the first couple hundred meters, especially since the path is quite narrow. Looking forward to next year!

I enjoyed the race on Saturday. although cool, the atmosphere was upbeat and the cool weather allowed for some good times. It was very well-organized. The route was good although a little slippery in spots because of the leaves. Great value for the money and I enjoyed the new store as well. It did start a bit late, so I think people should be encouraged to arrive on time. This should be stressed because the weather was cool and many were waiting around for the start. Overall, well-done and thanks.

Great final MEC race of the year. Can't beat the bang for your buck. Well run races and helpful volunteers. The snacks and food are great at the end. Already on the look out for the race series for 2017.

GREAT:
Price, location, course layout (I could see my kids several times during the 5km xc race), communication of results.

GOOD:
Post race goodie. Food was great but layout needs improvement. Line up was long. Perhaps layout the tables so runners can access the goodies from both sides of the tables.

COULD BE BETTER:
Marshalling on the xc course. My daughter got lost during the xc race in an ambiguous area. Place marshals in the tricky areas to direct runners.

Great race overall! Very happy with it. The only suggestion I have is more of a clarification than an improvement. I think it would be good to call the trail events cross country instead because that's what they really are. I am familiar with the venue and so I knew what to expect. Those less familiar may have been surprised by the prevalence of open grass field that made up the 'trail' course. Thanks!

Great small race, great volunteers, well organized, will be doing the series next year. Bag check could have been more prominent/separate from the registration tent for those participants who picked up their bib prior to race day. I wanted to check my bag but couldn't find where to do it until after the race. Minor in the scheme of things - this was a great race.

My first MEC race. Looking forward to a MEC store opening in Kitchener (where I live) and doing the races here. Can't beat the price, and an excellent venue.

loved the event and the venue. I used to live right by Gibbons Park for years when I went to school so it was a great homecoming for me. Loved the trails and the challenging aspect of the run. Keep up the great work. Loved the medal also, thanks!

As the year progressed the MEC team stepped it up time and time again. I missed one race this series and loved all the races I took part in. The final race coincided with Halloween and it was wonderful to see so many people running and getting into the spirit of the day by dressing up. The courses are well set out, the staff are helpful, the volunteers are plentiful and the post race food is spot on with fresh bagels, peanut butter, nutella, jam, coffee and hot chocolate. Well done this year MEC.

This was an excellent race. Very well organized and lots of friendly volunteer support, trail race very well marked. Excellent end of race breakfast/coffee! Also very affordable.

This was my first 5k run and it was a great experience! I think I'll be back for more next year :)

This was my first MEC race. I was impressed with the event. I did the 15k, and for $15 you can't go wrong. I think some would like to see a couple of more porta-potties at the start as there were only 2, but other than that, no complaints. The course was well-marked and staffed by volunteers. Plenty of water available at the 3 stations on course, and lots to eat and drink at the end. A great, low-key event. I just signed up for 5 MEC races next year.

Great job, very friendly..Willget a group together for all upcomimng races

Well organized, affordable and FUN. Great job MEC

Great organization, with pre race communications, and race day. The course was ideal, terrain,scenery and the volunteers were helpful and very friendly.

Did 2 races this year (the last 2) and I loved them and thought them ideal for a great event with electronic timing.
The most recent event (Gibbons Park) could have used more porta-potties. Also plastic spoons for the candy dish would be great.

Great course, wonderful staff, delicious post race snacks!

Would suggest a bag drop for next year, especially for the races later in the season when extra layers are needed pre-race.

Race 5 was fun. This time I was able to finish the 5 K race...as last year the volunteer yelling 5K or 10K...go this way at the turn around...just wasn't registering as I was out of breath.

Great race - and race series! Low cost, high caliber! Thanks for the great series MEC!

I agree with all the positive reviews above - well organized and a lot of fun.

One suggestion - have a place where people can leave their backpacks securely (ie you only get in with a race bib). Quite a few of us came by bike and we need this to store our phones, cameras, warm clothes etc.

Loved it! The coordinators and volunteers made this event run incredibly smoothly! The trails were well marked, the pre/post snacks were great, and registration was only $15! Thoroughly enjoyed this event.

Well organized, great atmosphere, lots of cheering, and a fun time. Great first race experience for me. Enjoyed seeing the costumes and the variety of people. I will be doing more MEC races in the future.

great spirit, fun, thoughtful touch after (even hot chocolate which my daughter who also ran - loved !!!) Great work

Accommodated my request for a custom race number once again. You guys rock. The route location was a much better then the Fanshawe conservation run in May.

This was a good, basic event to add to a list for motivation after the main summer season of events. Despite calling it a "basic" event, it was very well serviced and organized. There were three water handout stations, lots of food and drink at the end and it was very well organized with sufficient cones and volunteers directing you on the route. The weather was predicted to be bad, but turned out chilly but good. I will definitely come back to this race series next year.

Nice location. Wish there had been chip timier.

This was better organized then their last race. I like how they keep moving their races around London. These races make it possible to run more races in a year since the are cheaper. Just do not expect the frills of most races. Rating is based on comparison to other races regardless of price.

MEC has their race series down to a science. They are always well organized and a lot of fun. Now if only I could run as fast as those darn kids!

Great race events by MEC London! Very low cost but great atmosphere! Route are well marked, great staff and volunteers and everyone is really enthusiastic! I can't wait for the 2015 series including 2 1/2 marathons!

This was my first MEC race and will not be my last! The price point is unbeatable and so worthwhile. My experience was the same as the races where I pay 3-4x the price! Great post-race food and great course. Well organized too! My only suggestion would be to have plain water at the finish. I didn't feel like anything flavoured (although the Nuun was pretty good!) so water would be a great addition :)

Great race - small but enthusiastic crowd. Well-organized. Only thing missing was water at the end point! Would definitely recommend for anyone training for some bigger winter races.

Excellent race and very well orgainized.

The race was great. I would suggest the turn around be laid out with signs. Having the turn around underneath the overpass on a curve past the drink table was not ideal.

I wil definitely be joining the races next year.

I really loved this event! It was small, with a great sense of community. I have never appreciated coming in last more than I have here - it was incredible to have so many other runners cheering me on as I finished. Great atmosphere, food was excellent as well!