Scotland based runs & runners

85 watchers

Dvorak Nov 2023 12:03am, 16 Nov 2023 27,331 posts	0 Dvorak The Trustpilot reviews of Tough Runner make interesting reading uk.trustpilot.com Not something, admittedly, I would have thought of looking at before booking a running event. (Tough Runner, Run Afan and Run Afan Forest all seem to have the same person behind them so probably can be regarded as interchangeable.) Several of the reviews are (taking them at face value) from individuals/ companies waiting for outstanding payments for event services, others from people who have had events postponed several times with no refunds.
Metro_Nome Nov 2023 7:37am, 16 Nov 2023 7,236 posts	0 Metro_Nome Tough Runner is in administration. But has essentially been replaced by Run Afan, which is run by the same guy but basically seems to mean he can write off all debts from the previous company
Dvorak Nov 2023 10:27am, 16 Nov 2023 27,333 posts	0 Dvorak Last year's Falkirk HM was launched by Run Afan, then it was announced that Tough Runner had taken over all Run Afan events. This year's was launched by Tough Runner, then it was transferred to Run Afan Forest. That had a whiff of shenanigans to me. In parallel, there was info and booking via FullOn Sports, though this is possibly moribund, or at least neglected. At the same time Let'sDoThis act as a booking partner. It looks like Run Afan and Tough Runner ran in parallel, with Tough Runner doing the Epic Trail events amongst others, with much hype about how fabulous and amazing the events would be (which, it seems, was not necessarily lived up to). The guy behind it seems to have several years experience running events: some successfully; some less successfully; and some not at all. Which perhaps makes it more puzzling that the presentation, details and social media seem so amateurish at times. Falkirk had its Epic Trail Run in Callendar Park as well, which (to me) seemed to come out of nowhere. I went and spectated in 2020 and was amazed to see over 2000 runners. Many of whom, I reckon, were getting a much tougher run than they'd bargained for. 2022 also sprung up, with nearly 1200 runners, but this year's was under 500. So it might be "wait and see" regarding a rescheduling. I'm glad I wasn't quite fit enough to enter I did consider it, despite last year's organisational issues, just as it was so close by. But if it is put on again, I don't think I'll be trusting them with my money.
Ultracat Nov 2023 1:06pm, 16 Nov 2023 15,127 posts	0 Ultracat Anyone heard of MacTuff running company? They seem to be organising a half marathon at Barry Buddon next April.
57.5 Degrees of Pain Nov 2023 1:22pm, 16 Nov 2023 14,803 posts	0 57.5 Degrees of Pain Maybe Fetch needs to set up something in here to rate or comment on race companies (positive or negative).
DaveG Nov 2023 1:23pm, 16 Nov 2023 382 posts	0 DaveG There is now a 2024 Falkirk Half Marathon, on 17th November. I suspect they'll say runners get a free entry in that if they claim a refund. They sent an email a few weeks back looking for volunteers (not paid people) as they were short on marshals. I had my suspicions about whether the event would happen when I saw that.
Ultracat Nov 2023 4:40pm, 16 Nov 2023 15,128 posts	0 Ultracat MacTuff is a registered company and it’s former name was Brass Monkey events.
Old Croc Nov 2023 8:35pm, 16 Nov 2023 34,696 posts	0 Old Croc Just seen on FB that Runafan promoting a race in Cardiff in Jan so any Welsh Fetchies beware!
DaveG Nov 2023 1:21pm, 17 Nov 2023 383 posts	0 DaveG They are now asking for volunteers to marshal an event in Wales. A 7pm start for a 8 and a half hour shift, in which you get a free lunch (a meal deal) and a briefing from the race director. You also get free entry to a future event. So that sounds appealing.
Ultracat Nov 2023 4:01pm, 17 Nov 2023 15,131 posts	0 Ultracat 8.5 hours sounds a long time to be standing about in this cold weather. Will be interested to hear if this event in Wales actually goes ahead. I also heard on Facebook that the so called free enteries are rather reluctantly given. Anyway it’s probably safer if you pay your hard earned cash to events organised by running clubs and have a SA permit. Which made me asked about MacTuff events as I have never heard of them but the Barry Buddon half used to be a well Run event held in August previously, not sure who organised it but I have a couple of coasters from 2015.