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Testimonials (2009)
“ Just quick congratulations and big thanks for once again putting together the most well executed half marathon in UAE. It is greatly appreciated by us your fellow runners...
Looking forward to racing in RAK again next year. ”
“ Congrats on a well run and very fun event! ”
“ Just want to say that I really appreciate all the time and efforts you are putting in coming back to the runners...and I want to add that I really had a great time during the half marathon...
You all did a great job!!! ”
“ I just wanted to say that I LOVE your event! This is the second time that I’ve participated and thanks for sending us our certificates. ”
“ You did a fantastic job and my colleagues and myself thoroughly enjoyed running at the RAK Marathon and will be there as every year till we can physically run or even walk. ”
“ Many thanks for this update and for your personal responses to my comments following the race.
I don’t know how much influence you had on City 7 TV’s decision to cover the race, but I certainly enjoyed watching their coverage afterwards. I would add that I found the free download of a race photo to be a good offer. I know that these are small things, but they all add up.Thanks for all your efforts. It cannot be easy organizing such a massive event, particularly in this environment.
I’m already looking forward to next year’s race. ”
“ Being familiar with UAE public event organisation, I have to admit I did fear the worst prior to the race!
With this in mind I must say congrats on what was in general a fantastic day! Yes there were some glitches with the drinks and the certs, but to be fair if it wasnt for having to wait around for a cert I wouldnt have chatted to and exchanged stories with any of the people I did! Isostar wise, I did notice its absence from the race drink stations but it didnt effect my race at all (maybe as I am a beginner water was enough).So please be proud of the day, I as a runner loved it and my wife as a spectator loved it too!
Big thumbs up to all the people who gave up their own time to help out too, everyone smiled even some of the Police!
See you next year ”
“ Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to send this email accepting responsibility for these minor glitches.
Personally I though you did a great job and as a former director and former competitive runner I think it was more important to have all the water you DID have that isostar ON the run.
It was great to have it at the finish when able to be drunk slowly and absorbed. (Too much wastage ON the run as people sip and throw!)
”
“ At the age of 55 I ran and completed my first RAK and enjoyed myself very much. I was very impressed by the organization and also by the kindness of the volunteers. ”
“ Thanks for all the hard work. ”
“ I really enjoyed the RAK 1/2 marathon and was happy with the organisation, sure there a few things to improve; the isotar thing in my mind is a not a big issue, the certificate thing is not a big deal given my results are on the internet, i don't run for a piece of paper. However I thought the medallion is a pretty nice memento. ”
“ Thanks for organizing a great event. ”
“ This was my first race in a few years after having my family. Despite being ill a week or so before the event I was determined to run it. I found the whole experience outstanding and a credit to the organisers. The emails after the event (pictures etc) were unexpected but a lovely surprise and very professional. I am determined to run again next year and beat my time :-)
Carry on with the fantastic work and I look forward to next year's event.
I just wanted to say THANK YOU as I feel people are too quick to criticize and not many say Thanks! ”
“ Hello, now I am back in Sweden.
It has been a great time for me and my wife visiting your country.
I am rather satisfied about my own race, but my goal was to run faster than 1.26. I almost managed!
I think RAK Half Marathon was a well made arrangement. I have been competing in many place so I know.
Once again, thank you very much and many regards from me in Sweden. ”
“ Thanks for a good job organising the run. The absence of isostar stations was a bit difficult, but at least you provided an explanation to the issue. ”
“ Thanks for organising a fantastic run and for sharing the pictures and email as a follow up.
Although I am still hobbling around I enjoyed absolutely everything about the run!
Thanks once again. ”
“ Congrats on an excellent RAK Half Marathon last week. Great organization and brilliant to have such a big race with top runners in it on my doorstep.
Thank for all your efforts. ”
“ I commend you on your hard work and effort as the event was such a success, with many people from all over the world. I indeed did notice that there were many more participants than last year. Keep the momentum of the event running- it is a wonderful source of community while living abroad here in the UAE. ”
“ Congratulations on a well organised half marathon. ”
“ I wanted to pass on my congratulations and thanks to everyone involved with the RAK event this year. I had an absolute fantastic experience, everything was organized so efficiently all I had to do was run, and that I did in a new PB – thank you very much! Had information not been so readily available on the website or via email and had the day itself not run like clockwork (from where I was running) I very much doubt the experience would have been as enjoyable.
I also thought the programme on City7 last night was great!
Much appreciated! ”
“ First off, I admire your emailing the racers to address perceived problems with RAK. I think this really shows what a great race co-ordinator you are.
You probably feel swamped with complaints right now, such is the life of a leader, but I have to tell you, you are held in very high esteem in the running community. Again and again I have heard (particularly from Graham Rafferty of the Dubai Road Runners, but from others as well) what a fantastic job you do, thinking foremost of the runners. My experience at RAK reflected this. What a great time!
I was surprised at the lack of electrolytes on the course, but only after another runner pointed it out to me. I'm just there to run. It was nice to have the lack explained, though personally all I really care about is whether the course is well marked enough that no one gets lost!
I think the certificates online is a good fix, as well. Me, I didn't care to stand in that line, but those complaining must not have tried to claim their bags at the Dubai Marathon. Your team made sure to have our bags organised and easy to pick up...in Dubai they threw them into a big heap!
The volunteers were great, (I can't emphasise that enough!) decorations fantastic, loved the bagpipers, the course, and well done, by the way, with the promotions through Radio 2. I don't think I've ever gone into a race feeling quite that level of community interest. Very cool.
Your photographers did a great job as well, and I love the ones I got. The turnaround time on the times and photographs was spectacular. I have raced many a run in the USA and I can tell you yours was supremely well done as far as not making us wait.
You got compliments from non-racers on your extremely professional website and brochure. A real stand-out in the UAE.
Golly, I think that's it. Keep up the good work. Off to hit up the on-line survey. :)
Sincerely. ”
“ I live in RAK and firmly believe this marathon is getting better year on year.
This years course was much better at the start/finish because of the straight rather than the traffic lights bend. The traffic was handled much better as there were no cars on the course before people finished, runners/public could arrive and leave the event/manor mall much easier.
I accept the comments about Isostar, food, certificates etc. I think this will improve for next year having viewed the modifications/improvements made this year.
Looking forward to participating in the 2010 marathon! ”
“ Me and my mate who was running for the first time thought it was well organised, the Marshals were great, and we thoroughly enjoyed the beers we opened at 11.15 when we got home in celebration of 21k!
Many Thanks! ”
“ I started training as a novice with Stride for Life for the 2008 half marathon and walked the distance in 2.34 hours. Since doing the first race it has inspired me and since that race, I have finished 4 half marathons and walked the Dubai marathon in 5.37.38. The RAK race was a must-do for my calendar and this year I ran the race and finished in 2.16.06 – a full circle, my first ever running only race on my 1st anniversary race.
Thank you to the organizers of the RAK half marathon, without my first RAK in 2008, I would not have been hooked on power walking/running. Yes, there is always room for improvement with any event but overall, the event was great. ”
“ A top effort from you and your team. Pretty well perfect. The Milers certainly enjoyed themselves as many of us ran PB’s. Thanks ”
“ For what its worth, I thought the whole thing was well done, well organised and I had a great day - so just thought I would pass on some positive feedback. ”
“ I really enjoyed myself, and I managed to finish in one piece… my first half marathon! ”
“ Thank you for a great race. ”
“ I am very impressed with the fact that you are so open about the things that could have gone better. For me and probably most athletes it was just a superb event and the absence of Isostar on the course does not change that.
Thanks to you and your team for a fantastic day! Keep it up and see you next year!! ”
“ Hi - thanks for a great race. I was expecting Isostar on the course so thanks for the explanation. I thought the parking, directions and access in and out of the race area was well organised and clearly sign posted. It was my first race, I'd done the relay 2 years ago and I felt a great sense of achievement. I didn't stay for certificate as the queue was long but I wasn't really bothered about getting one as it was more a personal thing for me so I wasn't affected by that issue.
The volunteers were great - friendly, eager, keen to help and encouraging.
Nothing else really - thanks for a great morning and for helping me tick off one of my 2009 goals! Not sure I'll do it again - some things are just one-offs but I will recommend it to others.
Regards ”
“ I would like to say that this was my first race in the UAE and hopefully not the last. We were very excited to participate in this race and looked forward to a pleasant weekend out of Dubai. We were looking forward to discovering some of RAK including the hot sprints at Khatt. The race itself was enjoyable and the medal, certificate and post Photos online are awesome.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share these thoughts. ”
“ A good course, the marshals where top notch, even the people who came with me want to get involved next year. Thanks for the effort the team put in and I hope the event goes from strength to strength. ”
“ Thank you and your staff for all the hard work that you put in to making the race as great as it was! ”
“ Many thanks for a fantastic day on Friday. The organisers and staff put in a great amount of effort and it really paid off.
The RAK Half Marathon has to be the best in the region. The best organised, most scenic and most fun.
It was my first RAK Half Marathon and it won't be my last. ”
“ A big thanks to the entire crew, you guys have done an excellent job, keep up the good work. ”
“ We enjoyed the race and will try and get either a team or a group of us to run the half marathon next year !! ”
“ Thanks for a great day. The race is already a first class world event and I'm sure it will get bigger and more popular. It's good to see you naming and shaming individuals responsible for the poor standards of service that one receives in this region. ”
“ Many thanks for your congratulations to the JESS team and we also congratulate you on organizing another memorable and successful RAK Half Marathon. ”
“ Thanks again for a good organization. Though my run was not as good as I expected (I was ill the last two week before the race) at the end I was very satisfied. Thanks again for this very nice prize. I enjoyed very much as well the whole week of staying in UAE. Beside the race I have seen as well a lot of intersting and nice things (especialy for an architect as I am...). I wish you a good luck as well at the next marathon in 2010, maybe a new WR... Who knows, maybe I will even have a chance to come and run again. ”
