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With almost 50,000 reviews collected from all over the world on the Racecheck platform, we take a look at which races were consistently rated highly enough to qualify for a gold, silver or bronze award in 2022.

After going through a very challenging 2021, 2022 proved to be a much more positive year for race organisers, albeit still not at pre-COVID levels. We did see more races being restored, new races being launched, some consolidation and higher spirits in both organisers and participants alike.

The change in the mood was noticeable when looking at race review numbers on Racecheck. The number of races receiving a review in 2022 doubled from 2021. That number was quite outstanding at almost 10,000 reviews for 2022 events. It is also interesting to note that the number of races qualifying for a race award went up from 33 to 69, with the Off-road running category outperforming all others.

It’s always worth remembering that these are not awards chosen by the team at Racecheck. They are unique. The people judging the races are those who have participated and crossed the finish line, so the results are honest and genuine. This isn’t a popularity contest and isn’t based on the number of followers — it’s all about the experience. Races qualify for gold, silver and bronze awards by achieving benchmark average ratings from the reviews they receive. An award derived from the people who have taken part is undoubtedly the highest accolade for an event organiser and a huge confidence boost. Winners earn the right to display the unique Racecheck award badges in their marketing, social media and websites to highlight just how respected the race is within the events community. It’s a powerful tool for growing races.

To read more about our scoring criteria and how you can qualify for an award check out this article: What are the Racecheck awards?

“Races qualify for gold, silver and bronze awards by achieving benchmark average ratings from the reviews they receive”

Anyhow, without further delay, let’s look at all the winners from 2022. The events that were consistently rated as the highest performing across all of the Racecheck review rating criteria:

Gold Award Winners

Racecheck rating: 4.75 and above.

Event: Manvers Dusk Till Dawn / Organiser: Team Manvers

Score: 4.95 / Category: Off-road Running

Event: Big Way Round / Organiser: Big Feat Events

Score: 4.93 / Category: Off-road Running

Event: Cannock 50 / Organiser: Big Bear Events

Score: 4.93 / Category: Off-road Running

Other events that achieved a GOLD award are:

The Big Pilgrimage — 4.91 — Off-road Running

Lakesman Triathlon — 4.91 — Triathlon

MBNA Chester 10k — 4.90 — Road Running

The Hampshire Hoppit Trail Marathon & Half Marathon — 4.9 — Off-road Running

Swan Challenge — 4.90 — Off-road Running

Gato Sports Head Torch 10k Series — 4.90 — Off-road Running

Sheetz to Sheetz Trail Run — 4.89 — Off-road Running

Gut Buster — 4.89 — Off-road Running

Welcome Way Trail Race & Ultramarathon — 4.88 — Off-road Running

Thoresby Leaf Kick — 4.88 — Off-road Running

Selworthy Stargazer-Dark Skies Night Run Series — 4.88 — Off-road Running

Equinox24–4.88 — Off-road Running

The Hilly Helmet Challenge — 4.87 — Off-road Running

The Longhorn — 4.87 — Off-road Running

Grimsthorpe Gallop — 4.86 — Off-road Running

Gisburn Forest Trail Race — 4.85 — Off-road Running

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running — 4.83 — Road Running

The Fox — 4.83 — Off-Road Running

Wright Hassall Leamington Regency 10k — 4.82 — Road Running

Coombe 10k — 4.82 — Off-road Running

Camino Ultra Lee Valley — 4.82 — Off-road Running

Dahlgren Heritage Rail Trail 50k (USA) — 4.81 — Off-road Running

Eastbourne Triathlon — 4.80 — Triathlon

Run to the Sea Brighton — 4.80 — Off-road Running

New Forest Rattler Endurance Weekend — 4.80 — Off-road Running

Run to the Sea Bournemouth — 4.80 — Off-road Running

Bournemouth International Triathlon — 4.79 — Triathlon

MBNA Chester Marathon & MBNA Chester Metric Marathon — 4.79 — Road Running

Winchester Marafun — 4.79 — Road Running

Basingstoke Half Marathon — 4.79 — Road Running

London Landmarks Half Marathon — 4.79 — Road Running

Thames Marathon and Half Half Marathon Swim — 4.78 — Swimming

Club to Pub — 4.78 — Swimming

Barns Green Half Marathon — 4.78 — Road Running

XNRG The Druid’s Challenge — 4.78 — Off-Road Running

Beach Ballistic — 4.78 — Obstacles

Stort 10 & 5 Mile — 4.77 — Off-Road Running

Run Reigate Half Marathon,10k,5k & Kids — 4.76 — Road Running

Commando at Hever Castle — 4.76 — Obstacles

Active Sports Events Cotswold Sprint Triathlon — 4.75 — Triathlon

Worthing 10k — 4.75 — Road Running

Fred Hughes 10–4.75 — Road Running

MK Marathon Weekend — 4.75 — Road Running

Surrey Half Marathon — 4.75 — Road Running

Silver Award Winners

Racecheck rating: 4.64 to 4.74

Event: Ealing Half Marathon / Organiser: RaceNation Events

Score: 4.73 / Category: Road Running

Event: Cattle Creepy 10k / Organiser: BCS Events

Score: 4.73 / Category: Off-Road Running

Event: Selkie Henley Classic / Organiser: Open Water Swimming Ltd

Score: 4.72 / Category: Swimming

Other events that achieved a SILVER award are:

Osterley Park 10k — 4.71 — Road Running

The Northambrian — 4.67 — Triathlon

Great Welsh Marathon & Great Welsh Half Marathon — 4.67 — Road Running

Brighton 10k — 4.67 — Road Running

Kielder Marathon Weekend — 4.67 — Off-Road Running

Outdoor Swimmer Henley Swim Festival — 4.66 — Swimming

MK Winter Half Marathon — 4.66 — Road Running

Swansea Half Marathon — 4.66 — Road Running

Twin Lakes 20–4.66 — Off-Road Running

Spinx Coombe 8–4.66 — Off-Road Running