The Nike She Runs team certainly took on board the suggestions from last year and changed the event for the better in 2014. The race itself has quite a smaller time between sign up to race - about 2 months - in which the 6000 spots sold out. The popularity of this race is growing so the tip is to sign on as soon as the registration gets announced.

For 2014 packet pick-up was available in 6 different locations around Sydney. If interstate or regional NSW then they mailed it out to you. I did opt to pick up in the city - this was 2 weeks before the event (optional shoe packs were picked up early April from Bondi) - and the location was easy to find.

The swag included a drawstring bag, an event singlet/t-shirt (which had to be worn on the night), the pace group band, the shoe timing chip and miscellaneous sponsor products. It's unfortunate that this year Nike didn't create any She Runs 10K merchandise, it certainly was cold enough for them to sell out a crazy number of hoodies! (Plus this year I was keen to get a branded hoodie).

The course was set up differently to 2013, was incredibly well lit and started 1 hour earlier at 6pm. Clear instructions were made to be at the event site by 5:30pm for a 6pm start - family and friends aren't allowed to enter until an hour after the race starts, however they had clear view of the start, 3km mark (yes, we had to run past the village entrance) and finish. Inside it seemed that there was clear synergy between the AU event and the US ones - giant She Runs letters with competitors names, massage lounge, giant Nike store and volunteers walking around offering hair ties, face wipes and perfume (perhaps needed more after the race then before. Additionally there were more portaloos than you can poke a stick at!

What was also different was the giant inflatable jumping space in the middle of the village. Overall, the set up was fantastic, and this year by anticipating the traffic troubles experienced in 2013, getting in (and out) of the area was a breeze.

Unfortunately it was the coldest day of 2014 (so far) so it was a blessing that the marshals were rolling through the groups to start, there was no delays and I was able to run comfortably across the start line.

The entertainment along the route was fantastic - drummers, cheerleaders, marching bands - as was the aid stations - well stocked with water and Gatorade.

This year the course didn't seem to be as uphill as last year, it certainly was more favourable to all abilities and much more enjoyable and wide course. There was only one part of the course which, although I didn't have trouble with, people had mentioned they didn't really enjoy, which was the disco section complete with spinning lights.

The finish is lit up with a giant Nike Swoosh logo, and there were plenty of people still cheering while I crossed the line. For post-race entertainment, Australian singer Guy Sebastian kept the crowd moving by playing his well-known songs.

This time I did spend more time in the village, eating after the event from one of the food trucks - and huddled around the gas heaters that were located around the space. Finishers received a She Runs branded metal drink bottle, and after last year's debacle of people taking more than what they were meant to, volunteers marked off your pace band as they handed the prize over.

Overall the Nike She Runs event in 2014 was a complete improvement over the 2013 event, and I look forward to participating in 2015!