“Super event....can't wait to do it again! - This was my first half marathon....the fact that I enjoyed it so much was in large part due to the quality of the organisation and the nature of the course. Maybe some of the guys at the drinks stands could have been a little more switched on to the fact that they were supposed to be handing drinks to runners, but that's the only quibble. Pre-race communications were excellent, and the breakfast spread was superb and welcome. Again please!”

“Disappointed - Rather pleasant course and nicely appropriate number of runners. Lovely setting of the start/finish BUT... - sadly empty goodies bag (not sure it deserves the name actually), especially in view of the entry ticket price - setting up a breakfast without any shade was simply ridiculous. Especially for a crowd who had just ran 2hrs in the Dubai Oct sun - paid an AED75 extra breakfast ticket for my wife who found out at 9am that all juice and fruit was gone... she was offered lying-in-the-sun sausages instead - not sure why we were denied parking inside the complex. There were clearly tons of space available and walking back along SZ to one's car to pick up a change of clothes post-race was definitely unpleasant. - asked 3 consecutive staff who all told me that no shower facilities were made available. I eventually made my way to the clubhouse with the feeling I was sneaking in. And of course no towels... Overall, a nice course spoiled by an prep/post organisation that simply did not justify the price tag, especially in view of what other events deliver in Dubai for less money. Will not return...”

“Very well organized - Very well organized. Would have like to see more specially placed trash bins following the support stations as there was a lot of littering going on (runners throwing their bottles and cups on the side of the road and on the plants). Overall, a really enjoyable experience. Beautiful ambiance and beautiful settings. Highly recommended.”

“Poor protection for family and food hygiene - I am mystified as to why the tables were put in place and only 3 umbrellas provided. I paid for full tickets for brunch for my family, and their enjoyment of the event was compromised by the harsh sun with no protection, and the food also not being properly shaded and protected. The previous Premier Marathons 10 km that ABBRAS organized created high expecations for the Dubai visit which was not met for the catering arrangements - we will not be returning.”

“Well Planned Fun Event - Good course....need to ensure you don't have on date with another race (ABRA 10K).....maybe look at having it in early Mar to get a little better weather....drink stations need Gatorade and Pocari (Sport Drink) from the start....goody bag was pretty empty but that takes a lot of time for the race committee....really appreciate the club and racing committee for the making the effort in organizing the event.....Please ensure you keep up the good effort and look forward to entering in the 2014 event... ”

“Got Lost! - Hi there, let me thank you for arranging a HM in such lovely surroundings. it felt as if i was in another country. however, i write to you about lack of marshalls after 9 K mark. i got lost on multiple events, left to work out whether to turn right or left on my own, i did what i was told by the last marshal - follow this path. admittedly, i was the last one of the runners, and reached 12k mark just before 2 hour mark, though confident that i could do the remaining 9 odd kms in the remaining time. just after 12k, i got lost, there were no marshalls/ volunteers around. after this the only official i saw was the time-keeper girl ( with timing mat). no water stations or marshalls. though i did get the warning from the sweeper - cyclist that only 30 mins were remaining around 17K. i am attaching the link to my GPS track for you to see just how confusing the track was in absence of directions . after around 19K mark i took a wrong turn and was hopelessly lost, asking local people for directions to the golf club. http://runkeeper.com/user/askjiji/activity/258631550 i understand that the marshalls cannot be expected to wait for slow runners like me forever, but all i ask is perhaps some placards with directions. i had to finish, had to reach my car, but there was no one give directions, or a glass or water. the last water station i saw was around 9 k. i wasn't fortunate to come across any station with gatorade. finally, when i saw my car parked outside the golf club, i just left, disappointed at he way my first ever HM ended thanks again, jiji - bib 44 ps - is there some way i could pick up my tote bag i left at the counter - bib number 44.”

“Great Experience - It was my first half marathon ever. It was one of the best places to run actually. Everything was organised and ran smoothly. The breakfast was excellent and the service was great. and I even had the chance to take a warm shower after the run. Thanks for the golf club management, to the sponsors and all the volunteers. I can't wait to participate in this event again. ”

“Just Perfect from course to medal! - Beautiful course and scenery, a bit more bathrooms would be great to have, some support stations needed more Gatorade drinks to be served, great job for the marshalls signalling the route, medal and event giveaways were great! Also excellent rich breakfast post-race!!”

“Best race in the UAE - Just perfect. Nothing else. Thanks a lot ”

“Beautiful /Serene Track - Three Cheers and Big Thank You to all Marshals and support station Guys who were always with a smile. And the cycle marshals who wanted to hold our hands to run fast thanks to you too how can we forget at 18k we just needed that to boost. We would not have made it without you all Shades at Breakfast would have been better. Already looking forward for next year run ”

“Overall a great event for a first time runner - Thoroughly enjoyed the scenic routes. The sand run was a killer towards the end, but was well worth it. I appreciate that it wasnt a lap course. More toilets made available please! Saucony sponsored runs in Abu Dhabi too! Lower the prices a bit so more people can participate!”

“Enjoyed the scenic course. - Great race, well organised and a fantastic, scenic course! ”

“A lovely flat run with PB potential - Really enjoyed the race. Smoothly organized, great breakfast, chunky medal. Thank you to all involved in organizing. Volunteer marshalls were encouraging and motivating, well done to you too! ”

“Very enjoyable event. Nice course & support. - Smooth organisation. Event on time. Stations well manned and marshals positioned around the course. Good event location and backdrop. Great breakfast. Will enter again. Well done. Still looking for results to become available though.”

“My first half marathon and I enjoyed every minute! - Great scenic course, cool weather and awesome post race breakfast makes for a good experience.”

“Great half marathon - My 1st ever race and 1st long distance i had ever run.. great turn out...love the route, foot path and the sand! weather is cool ...perfect for running.. everything is good except for the toilets...a lot are closed!”

“Hate - love with the course - If you want to perform at this course, you need to be ahead of the slower pack of runners who can block your way on the narrow stretches of footpath and dirt road. And one should also love running on footpath because there's a good amount of it around the Hills. Not a bad event and the post-race breakfast was relaxing, though they could have had a tent or awning put up to cover the seating area. The sun wasn't too kind at 8am in the morning!”

“Nice early half marathon in the season - Great organization... Didn't like running a bit in the sand though... slowed me down a bit...”

“Parking area and time schedule - The parking area is not good, the buffet meal is perfect, will it possible for an earlier run like 4 30 in the morning or 5 am next year? I think it's just started at 6:15”

“Not so good run - Tumultous running course for first timer like me but maybe if I will have proper training I might do it again next year but I should have a plan on how to deal with that kind of running pavement condition. ”

“Excellent! - I loved this event, thought it was really well organised for a relatively new race and the route was interesting and well marshalled. Just a few small suggestions for improvement: the sandy part was tough - could this perhaps be flattened/watered down for future years? Also, the drinks stations were a little disorganised - they weren't necessarily ready to hand them out. However, these are just small issues and should not detract from a superb race. Massive thanks to Julie - bib number 646 I think - for helping me through the last painful few kilometres; what a lovely lady. ”

“Great course - A really nice race, could do with more supporters from the Emirates hills community doing some cheering and getting involved, some water stations weren't always ready for runners, the post race breakfast was awesome though! Thumbs up :)”

“Great No Nonsense Event - Great event, route was good and varied which made it interesting. Good buffet at the end was a nice finish. Well done to the organisers.”

“Great course and excellent breakfast buffet. - Great course! Excellent breakfast. Parking at UAD was an issue, the security guards were not informed about the race.”