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Two running races delivered by local company aat-events have placed both 1st and 2nd in the racecheck awards for the UK’s Best Races.

The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon won the prestigious award – named as not just the best half marathon, but as the UK’s Best Road Race. The accolade is not endorsed, but was won as a direct result of voluntary reviews the event received from its participants. The reviews often referred to the faultless organisation of the event, the friendly atmosphere and the perfect weather which is seemingly arranged each year. It was described by some as: “everything you want from a race and more” and the “Best Half Marathon I’ve ever done”. Helen, a previous participant, said this about the race: “organisation really was faultless…I would not hesitate to recommend or sign up again.”

The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon is consistently rated highly across all of the major running websites – in some cases scoring as highly as 4.9/5. It compares well against some of the biggest events too: with a whopping score of 86% on Runner’s World, compared to Bath Half Marathon’s score of just 69%.

Runner’s can still enter the event at www.surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk and download a free training plan to prepare. However the event is likely to have sold out by beginning of February.

The Mercer Surrey Half’s “official warmup race” placed 2nd in the awards. Despite the frosty conditions on 4th December 2016, aat-events and Guildford and Godalming Athletics Club welcomed almost 1000 participants to the increasingly popular 11.7km road run at Loseley House.

Race Director Toby Jenkins extends his thanks: “From all of us at aat-events and the Mercer Surrey Half Marathon, we’d like to say “Thankyou” to all of our runners who have taken the time to review their experiences with us on racecheck.” He added: “It’s great to know that the UK’s best running races are happening right here in Surrey. If you’ve not joined the fun yet, do join us. Everyone is welcome.”

The 2017 Mercer Surrey Half Marathon is set to be the best event yet, with more people already signed up for the 13.1 mile race than there were this time last year. Woking Borough Council and TG Media Group are working closely with the organisers to secure fantastic deals at local businesses for runners on race day; and sponsors Vines BMW are supplying an electric BMW I8 as the lead car as part of an effort to be more environmentally considerate.

The UKA affiliated race is Surrey’s largest half marathon, and also features one of the largest closed-road kids races in the UK for those aged 6 – 16. With the aim to inspire more people get involved with the event and celebrate the achievements of more novice runners, a brand new 5km race has been added to the schedule this year. As one of the only closed-road 5kms available in the country, this event is expected to be the biggest of it’s kind too.

Every runner will receive a large gold medal and a trainer-print headwrap, and will enjoy free bag storage, live music, a professional pacing service, and for many, a “personal best time” thanks to the notoriously fast and flat course. All runners have benefitted from free training plans written by Synergy Physiotherapy – the Official Performance and Injury Partner of the Mercer Surrey Half.

Other races delivered by the award-winning event organisers are now officially recognised as some of the best events in the UK. Head to www.aat-events.com to find out more about the sell-out Fitstuff G3 trail run series, Guildford’s largest triathlon, Guildford’s first ultramarathon, non-competitive cycles, mid-week races and more.

Surrey-based company BRUTAL placed 5th in the awards for UK’s Best Off-Road Run. For natural obstacle course races costing less than £20, head to www.brutalrun.co.uk