Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: "Ohh la la", , I just love this London race.
In full: Mr.French, Je voudrais que vous sachiez que j'aime la course 5k serpentine.

The Serpentine 5k race or also known as Brooks last Friday of the month, is a populaire rapide pace race held in Londre Hyde parc.
The homme et backbone of these races is Mr. Malcolm French, who wears many chapeaux such as Race Directeur, time keeper et data collector amongst other things. Also there’s Beth the kind madame who hands out the running nombres.
This année Brooks Running has teamed up with Malcolm, Brooks known best when it comes to bon team work. This 5k race attracts many club et non-club runners et also runners who can complete marathons over six heures!!! Also runners from the famous Runners World team.
Brooks last Vendredi of the mois, is run every mois throughout the année; attracting over 200 runners every race. The race spaces can fill up deux weeks prior to the race date. The race is split into teams; Team A is for the rapide runners who can run under 22 minutes they start the race at 12.30, then team B, the slower runners follow 2 minutes later. The route takes runners around Londre Hyde parc. The runners run on the tarmac paths; the route is mainly flat with a couple of petit inclines. The Marshals, who are runners themselves, are friendly and encouraging. The race also attracts many spectators however they do not cheer on the runners, they just stand and stare like Hawks and utter not a word of encouragement! The race results are posted quickly on Serpentine Running Club website. The results can be categorised, by gender, time and age. You can also view your running times throughout the year

The bon news is there is sufficient amount of toilettes within the parc, also a Cafe and a couple of shops.
This race venue is easy to commute to, outside the parc there is a voiture parc nearby is which a bit cher. Alternatively there is Hyde Parc Corner tube station which is nearby.
The mal news is there are no médailles, t-shirts, drinking eau at the finition (take your own eau or energy drink. There is no showers (take Maman or Linx). Nevertheless this is a top class and populaire race and the entry fee cost only arachides.

Très bon Malcolm French you deserve to pat yourself on your back for producing such a magnifique and high quality enjoyable race.
Malcolm is also linked to other popular races such as Serpentine New Year’s 10k and Middlesex open 10k. I just love this Londré Parc race. Maybe it’s because I am Londoner.
Runners you can run but you can’t Hyde.
Mond de Coureurs please forgive my francais.

Date of review: November 6, 2009

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Running meets sub-aqua
In full: Back to the scene of my first-ever half after four years. Same well-organised, friendly race with a great course and cheerful supporters. Funny how memory plays tricks on you, but I'm convinced that more of it was above water last time ;-)
Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: tough but great fun. Wish the sun would come out for once tho'!
Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In full: The race was a bit of a let down, I can't believe that for £15 we couldn't get medals or even a t-shirt and there was nothing of any value in the goody bag except maybe the canvas bag itself. The children who ran 1k did get medals and I was lucky enough to nab one of these. there were also letting people have a t-shirt at the end of the event for a 'donation' I only had £2.50 in change which they accepted, but the bloke next to me had 2 £10 notes and was made to pay a tenner? It wasn't a flat route and that added to the torrential rain, gale force winds, which we ran into on the final 500m that was on wet slippery grass meant no sprint finish or PB for me!
Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Toughest race I have ever done by a big margin!!!
In full: This race is not for the faint hearted - I knew it was going to be hard but it was really, really, really hard!!! It was almost soul destroying in places! Was supposed to be running with my husband but he is injured so was on my own so thanks to those who helped me up when I fell and when I almost twisted my ankle!! At the end I said never again and was completely exhausted....but now in hindsight I would say it is definitely a special race and I will be entering next year....but I may do more hill training in the Lakes to prepare me a bit better - I have just stopped aching! ;-)
Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Better than Paris and London!
In full: Well that's my opinion anyway as despite the undulating course, I managed a PB by 10mins! What a fantastic, welcoming and friendly race. Easy to get into your stride and enough support at the later points in the race to perk you up for the final push into Inverness. A great welcome at the finish with some very welcome soup, food and massage laid on. There aren't many marathons that offer use of showers at the end too. Will definitely be back to try and break this new PB!
Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Thank you Marshalls
In full: I am always appreciative of Marshalls, but this year they were Saints. I saw 1 Lady at 8.30, at the car park, soaking wet directing Runners. Then I saw her again at 11.00, at the finish sorting people out, still soaking wet.

I agree with all the comments made before. But for me, it was the Marshalls who made it.
Date of review: November 6, 2009

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		40%

In full: As previously pointed out, this was no way the full 5k, and there were no marshals at the only critical point (I was one of those that went the wrong way). All in all it was quite disappointing.
Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Fantastic course and well organised
In full: One of the few that I wouldn't want to miss. Despite the heavy rain and a spot of flooding, this is a truly great course. Challenging and constantly changing scenery. Very good marshalling and local support popped up just when you need it.

Improvements for next year? A goodie bag to complement the good T-shirt OR a medal even better.


Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Uplifting marshals / fellow runners and heartening local support!! Despite the weather
In full: I’ve been running for 1 year and this was the wettest race I have ever done! However, once the race got going, the rain wasn't too much of a problem. Big thanks to those who supported the runners so enthusiastically!

A very well organized race. Best tasting cuppa tea post race.

The jelly team will be back next year for sure!

Date of review: November 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: This was my first marathon - so I was a bit apprehensive at the start. There is a nice mix of urban and rural scenery. The few miles along the river between miles 20 and 24 were a little quiet but the marshals offered encouragement.
In full: I like this race for the variety it offered, undulating, town and country roads and pathways. I found the paths through the country park tough pscychologically and was amused by the total disinterest of the shoppers in the city centre! The sight of runners who had already finished hobbling down the last mile was a strange motivator, their calls of encouragement drove me on!
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Friends had told me I should do this race - this year I did and it was fantastic! How the marshals kept so cheerful in the weather I don't know - thanks to you all!
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: A hard course with lots of mud. Bog of doom fun as ever.
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		40%

In short: Hopefully will be back in the future in better weather!
In full: I enjoyed this despite the weather. Thanks to all the marshalls and people at the water stations for enduring the wind and rain. Well organised, although I do agree with other comments that the entry fee should be able to fund more then a bottle of water at the finish.
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Cheerful marshalls and a few small hills
In full: Was going ok until my knee went after 3 miles. Hobbled the rest of the way round. A big thank you to those fellow runners who expressed concern. And another big thank you to the marshalls, I'd rather run than stand around in that weather.

Good t-shirt and loads of choccy.

Will definitely be back in 2010 to take 15 minutes off my time!

Does anyone want to buy a jar of Gold Blend...?
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: A great race - despite the ankle-deep water !
In full: I've never run through so much ankle-deep water in a road race before, but despite that and the rain, it was a great race ! I'd recommend it to anyone, but be prepared for the hill in mile 6 ! The support from people in surprising places around the lake was great.
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Fabulous scenery and atmosphere
In full: In spite of the pouring rain, and perhaps because of it, I loved this race. Adversity certainly brings people together! I got a PB even though the hills, both going up and down, slowed me quite a bit.
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: very runner friendly course
In full: now moved to may . A ideal half for the first time half marathoner
Date of review: November 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Well organised race which supports a local charity so cost is fair enough. Nice course but narrow in places for the number of people.
Date of review: November 5, 2009

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