“Mess with the route markings and results - 2hrs of waiting for trophy ceremony that finally did not happen due to poor route markings and people shortcutting. Still dont have the trophy despite promises. Clicking the event SMS review link provided a picture of a grumpy cat and a statement "Does it look like there is a page here. Go away!" Kind request answered rudely or not at all. I dont understand.”

“Good event - Good”

“Late start. Horrible pictures. Ripoff. Never again - Late start. Boring circuit. Poor race pack. Horrible pictures. Ripoff. Never again.”

“Nice run but needs improvement - The race started late, and with the hot weather every minute matters, especially when it's a half marathon distance. The finish line ran out of water, which made matters even worse when there's no shade and the runners are dehydrated from the heat. On a positive note though, the water stations were well serviced, and I found most of the marshals to be friendly and encouraging with many towards the end cheering the runners by name (thanks to our names being printed on our bibs). ”

“Badly organised but made up for on road service - We came form Switzerland a day before and it was not possible to collect the number. The only option was two days before. We were told that on the day it would be possible but it is not advised. We queued 15 min which was ok. On the other hand you could sign up on the day which cased the delay of the run. Instead of 6.30 it started at 7am. That was really bad decision as it was getting hot and humid very fast and 30 min did matter. On the road service was very good, stations well prepared. ”

“Poor Event - Bit disappointed for following reasons: 1. Only 1 day race bib collection, in which had caused delay in gun start for half marathon. We've waited 20-25 minutes to start the race. Every minute is really important to runners. Focus was affected. 2. Marshalls on the trail were very few. 3. No official photographer?? come on! 4. In the finish line, I begged for the water at least, but no one gave me. This is really disappointed. 5. Please improve your event. Thank you.”

“Nice location but poorly organised event :-( - On collection day, no signeage in the mall. Took 15 minutes to find collection stand! Area not properly described in doc either (this was later changed in a new version). Race packs not prepared beforehand, causing delays. Race started too late (heat!). Organiser insulted with "to give you more time for warm-up" which was nonsense, as it was delayed due to on-site registrations, again a mess. When waiting for gun-shot no pep music to get excited. And many more issues. Overall, poorly organised.”

“Basic organisational errors spoil the event - Race pack pickup. Just one day on which to collect is not enough. And why can't we order shirt size in advance? Only XXS left when I collected mine. Race was then delayed by 20 minutes for people to collect their packs. But there's almost no shade on this course and such a delay really had a big impact on race temperature and sun. Start on time please or start earlier. Heat was gruelling and caused by unnecessary delay. Positive was many sponge/ water stations but really needed due to this.”

“Total Unacceptable behavior from raceme team membe - Please provide some water at least after run finish, there is No requirement of any refreshment on water stations, athletes required some sort of refreshments after run, some biscuits provided in water stations was near expiry (expiry on 2nd week of November). Marshalling & route signage was very less. Event started nearly 1 hours late than actual time, it was mentioned on 6:30 but started after 7.15. Overall value of this event is less than standard.”

“Organized fairly well. - I did not receive any give-aways”

“Fast and flat course. Superb location, great views - Excellent race and stimulated me to sign up for more RaceMe events. The course is a good one, signage was clear and aid stations was well manned. Untypically the presentation did not take place on the day of the event due to large volume of cheating etc. But you only cheat yourself.... Whats the point”

“Enjoyable took long time to collect race bag - Next time please have race bag collection over 2 days makes it easier for people to collect. No signage in DFC mall so hard to locate collection point. hardly any giveaways. Kris Fade was good. Needed to be advertised more effectively not many people I know knew about it.”

“Not clear signs-some marshalls not aware of ruting - Event started late for all races. Signs were not clear enough for runners. Tee shirts size not corresponding to the ones asked during registration. However organizers available to answer questions the evening before the race and also by mail before the event.”

“A good experience because I was in good company. - Signage and the volunteers cheering did a fantastic job.”

“Organisers struggled to cope with the numbers - I ran this event last year - it was much smaller in terms of numbers and worked perfectly well. Clearly the numbers this year tripped up the organisers. Heart of the problem was registration - they need to allow at least another day. The fact that results were thrown by corner-cutting cheats is not necessarily the organisers' fault, but certainly marshaling could have been better. Need more timing mats to confirm completion of the course. Would also reduce the gap between race-starts.”

“if i could give less than 2.5 rating I would.. - T SHIRTS Not given to all runners. Late start to accommodate late race pack collections. This is not fair to runners to collected the race pack as instructed and still had to endure the heat due to delayed start. Poor aid stations. They should not be allowed to host the event again. ”

“First time - Did not get my T-Shirt despite confirmed registration. ”

“Very bad staff at BIB collection - I have got XXS Size shirt ”

“Poor pre race organisation on the day - Not enough staff at registration desk for those who do not live in Dubai and had to come from out of town to compete. Hence race started late Results service poor and possibly compromised course NOT as beautiful as advertised. Who likes to run past white board hoardings for 5 out of 10 k?”

“awsome - It was wonderful to participate in this event i enjoy the run though it was very hot,i believe it is better to have this event in second week of november like 1st edition,thanks to race me,premier online and others who are involved in organizing such a wonderful event and wish more and more success for them,God Bless you all”

“My first race in Dubai; disappointed! - Pre-event: Race Me sent out the worn pick up location and not contact number! At-event: Scheduled late start (6:30am) kicked off 25mins late (6:55am) for no reason. There was no excitement at the starting line and no clarity in where the starting line was. Mid-race: Aid stations and water/electrolyte stops were GREAT! As soon as you stepped over the finish line there was a massive ditch which I (thankfully) didn’t trip on... but could have caused injury. Post-race: The usual; nothing amazing. ”

“Poorly managed event - Race started 20 minutes late because organizers did not enforce start time and late people for collecting race pack is not the fault of the organized runners; this is especially important in hot and sunny conditions that runners had to suffer for longer. The race should really have started at 6.00am. Aid stations were poorly managed; difference between water and electrolyte when issuing to runners was mishandled. Race results a complete farce and most people left without knowing their results.”

“why 20 minutes delayed - I ran half course . The time is very important ! Are waiting participants fools ? without never sorry !!!!!”

“Worst experience ever - This race was worst experience ever I had I don't know my result and we can't communicate with organizers . Easy to short cut race and the 10km runner didn't receive there prize ”

“Good volunteers effort, need better organization - The half marathon started 20 mins late, with no announcement on the reason for the delay. They ran out of water at one of the tables on way back and they were offering sparkling water instead which I thought was strange, none of the runners took it. And I think they ran out of medals or it was my luck to have a medal at finishing line with no Half Marathon on it just the name of the organizers!! Appreciate the volunteers work at the stations and cheering people on! But need better organizatio”

“It started 20 minutes LATE - 20 minute late start to register more last minute runners is totally unacceptable. The temperature rising makes a big difference. A 6.30am start is a 6.30am start that’s it. Don’t get greedy for extra registrations it’s totally unfair on those who are organized and on time. ”

“I would run it again, but there is work to do - Race started late. Spoke to an organizer who stated that 300 bibs had not been collected. Considering the weather conditions, this is unacceptable. Aid stations were not attended properly. However, it was appreciated the cold sponges in the bucket, but again, it was self-fishing....not acceptable when people pay this much. 180 degrees turns are ridiculous and at one point, a car was parked were runners were meant to pass! The collection bag point was fast and efficient. Nice route”