Events

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

In short: 2013. Nice race, in a fantastic area
In full: My first marathon so difficult to compare, buses to start, registration and finish all very friendly and well organised.
Trail running but smooth and level underfoot for the majority of the run.
Gental up hill for first 11 miles or so but the head wind made it feel worse!
What a relief to turn around after 11 miles and get the wind behind you.
level then up 20 miles then down hill BUT don't expect to get much help here. 3 very steep down hill sections punishing on the legs.
Marshall very supportive and friendly.
Thanks to all concerned
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Well organised, friendly and great for a family day out
In full: Nice undulating run through the forest with enough mud and uneven ground to keep it interesting. Really good day out. Lots to do for kids and somewhere for a drink and bite to eat afterwards. Fab location. Great goody bag. Good technical t-shirt and nice medal. Very well organised. Will definitely do it again.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Superb Local 10k
In full: Second year running the race, and must admit it is one of my favorites. Great Marshaling, mildly challenging course, especially the park sections, and the organizers do make you feel welcome.

See you next year
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Mostly good
In full: This is the 3rd time I've raced this event and in previous years it's beaten me rather than the other way around.

Last year, the event had chip timing. This year, it had been abandoned. In addition, car parking was either free or £1 last year. This year it was £3. Race entry was the same. So, overall, the cost of entering and parking has increased and yet the chip timing has been removed. Hmmmm!!

The race organisation seemed fine. No issues. Race pack was received early and contained adequate information.

The car parking was in the park's overflow car parking so close to the start area. There is parking available outside the park but this does require a walk to the start area.

The course is unchanged from previous years. Mildly challenging and undulating. The marshals were a little quiet particularly while runners were bunched on the first lap but got more vocal, some at least, once the field spread out a little.

On each of the 3 laps, there's one water station. This was manned by two volunteers and they couldn't get cups out to runners fast enough. I missed a cup on the 2nd lap due to this (I'd not tried to grab one on the first or third).

I hear rumours that there weren't enough memento towels for all the runners taking part. A bit poor really given the fact that everyone had paid to enter and all you get is a towel.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Well organised friendley suppoted race
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In full: Eyam charity half marathon

"One of the toughest half marathon races on the circuit"

Forest Gump and the 'multi colour swap shop' headed off to the beautiful small Peak District village of Eyam.
Eyam is famous for being the so called 'plague village'. Where from a population of 350 only 83 villagers survived a plague in 1665-6.
www.eyamplaguevillage.co.uk/

Nick even out did himself in an outrageous range of colours and running kit.
The Miners Arms pub, the only pub in the village was a good resting place before the start. Massages were a bargain £3.

Local celeb and ex Premier referee Uriah Rennie sounded the horn to chants of "off, off"...and we're off, 450 runners in all.

The run starts with a 400 foot climb in the first two miles.
It then levelled off for about three miles before a 800 foot drop over 4.5 miles.

Driving to the race we passed the Coolstone, a stone in which money, usually soaked in vinegar, was placed for 'outsiders' in exchange for food and medicine.
The Riley graves where 7 members of one family died in a week told its only hallowing story.

The race is really enjoyable, the views of the Derbyshire countryside were breath taking and the route was virtually traffic free.

"Think this is tough? Wait till you get to the next hill!" Although I knew it was coming the 'cheerful' way the chap informed me that the worst to come did make me smile.

At mile 10 it came, a 800 foot climb in just 2 miles.

The final mile or so was all down hill.

Along the route the local people clapped and encouraged the runners. 6 water stations kept us going and young children offered us sweets.
The marshals were superb. At every turn, hill or crossing they gave tremendous support.

In all it really is a community run, the race is excellently organised and marshalled. I think everyone in the village played a role.

Would I run it again? Yes, it's a great race

Overall rating 10*/10
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Up....and up... but great fun!
In full: First time entrant - fantastic organisation, ran like clockwork with the best views I've ever seen in a race. The village atmosphere and support around the course was brilliant. Definitely going to be a regular event. The first hill sorted me out, fast 7 mile stretch was fun but the second killer hill had me walking some of it - but worth it for the fast mile or so down to the finish and great reception.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

Report this rating to the moderator

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

Date of review: May 19, 2013

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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: This seemed a long way for me today! Cakes looked lovely at the end though. Well done ladies who made them.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Interesting course, lots of local support, great charity course
In full: My second time at this race, it's a nice Sunday morning out in the Chilterns. First half is hilly and second half flat, ideal for a negative split! Entry fee isn't the cheapest but it raises money for the Chilterns MS Centre, which is well worth a few quid extra. Will be back again next year I'm sure.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:

In short: My first event in 3 years... Loved it!
In full: My first event in 3 years... And first ever proper 10k event. Some people thought i was brave as it is a tough one to start on but I loved it and now feel ready for any 10k!

Friendly and welcoming atmosphere, pleased I signed up and completed it
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Challenging but fun
In full: The organisers were very friendly and keen to help, well marshaled. The course itself runs though some lovely woodland with bluebells out in full force. The 1st 5k is a long climb but what goes up must come down so 4 1/2k's back towards the finish is fairly easy, then a steep climb towards the end and a loop of the cricket pitch to end. My 1st time but it won't be the last :)
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Wonferful Woodland Woggle
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Hard, steep, muddy (in places) but EXCELLENT!
In full: The organisation and marshalling were first class - supportive and friendly. Getting access to the high hills of the china clay works, and the resulting views were a reward for the hard work running up there!
Date of review: May 19, 2013

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: All good
In full: As the previous reviewer said, all races should start on time. It didn't start drastically late but a pain when it happens. Good scenery, good support from marshals and public. Quite a lot of shingle track but I managed a PB by 2 minutes.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Could be so much better
In full: Quite a small field of runners so plenty of space to overtake, or in my case, be overtaken. The scenery was very good and the variety of track (Shingle, wood, tar and grass) was good. It is also good value for money.
Now for the frustrating bits which if rectified would make for a much better race.
Parking - £5.50 ... £7.50 if over 2 hours. Not the organisers fault but nearly the same cost as race entry which cant be right. It does make you run quicker to avoid the higher charge though.
Only one of the marshals on the course showed any sort of encouragement. Very little clapping or words of encouragement except the guy in the forest where their is a left turn.
No distance markers at all. Surely its not difficult to put a few of these out.
I believe this was in aid of the youth marching band - where were they? Music is a motivator so I expected them to be playing somewhere on the course or towards the end. I would have even put a few quid in a collection tin if they were entertaining.
The medal - unlike the other reviewer I do these races for medals as I won very little throughout my school years! Why no ribbon on the medal, I like to walk back to the car after a race looking like Mr T but this medal had to go straight in the pocket.
Its a lovely race to do but could be so much better and would attract more runners if some of the above could be resolved. If its your first time doing this race then its worth doing for the course.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Very good - some room for improvement
In full: Very enjoyable race.
Pre & post race organisation was excellent.

The course is quite narrow and twisty and there were several bottlenecks around the course.

Despite running a fairly slow time I was overtaking people all the way to the finish.

There were several people at the front who were walking the whole route and causing a traffic jam.

Maybe next year ask people to predict their finish time and stand by the appropriate time posts at the start i.e. seed the runners. This might reduce the bottlenecks next year.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

Report this rating to the moderator

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

Date of review: May 19, 2013

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Well organised but shockingly expensive
In full: The bridge-affar was well handled, so well done to the organisers who had to make a difficult decision with very little time. The situation was explained clearly and as soon as they could.

However, that does not have anything to do with charging up-to £28 for a 10k. That was virtually daylight robbery, whether for charity or not. The t-shirt and medal in the goody bag didn't cost much and the 80p worth of chocolate was poor.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: The marshals were excellent and everyone was very friendly a really nice small race
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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