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

In short: One of the toughest road marathons in the UK!
In full: Glorious weather and stunning scenery greeted us this year to make this a rewarding race. We were very fortunate that the stormy and wet weather that had hit this area on the Friday/Saturday had passed through or I may still be out there!

The organisers have laid on another great race today - brilliantly marshalled, accurate mile-markers, well stocked and enthusiatically manned feed-stations, good parking, and comfortable facilities (changing, showers, baggage and catering). Free tea/coffee and pasties at the finish.

The route needs to be respected as there are a number of tough hills in the first half (the one at 7-8 miles really knocked me out of my stride), along with those final sting in the tails at 23miles and 24/35 miles. To be fair, you were rewarded with a lovely flat and fast section from 13-20 miles which also coincided when the scenery was at it's most glorious.

This was my 4th consecutive Cornish Marathon, and although marginally my slowest, it was my most enjoyable. After a heavy racing schedule and one or two niggles, I ran slightly within my comfort zone which made a big difference in the state that I finished in and allowed me to run the entire course (including those late hills) for the first time. Sometimes, it makes more sense to slow down a little and look around, rather than pushing yourself to the brink and miss so much.

If you prefer a low key rather than frenetic big-city event, you will be a wise person to choose this one.

Thanks to all involved and see you next year.
Date of review: November 17, 2009

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

In short: Great race! The course not entirely flat as advertised and therefore not ideal for PB, but a great fun event! !
Date of review: November 17, 2009

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

Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Not as fun as I thought it would be...
In full: This was my first ever run. I was disappointed by the atmosphere. I arrived alone, ran the race without speaking to anyone, and then went home at the end. It's not to say that the marshalls weren't encouraging and friendly, but it all seemed a bit serious!

One final criticism- the paths weren't closed to the public so there were lots of dogs, cyclists and buggies to dodge! It was nice when spectators were cheering and encouraging the runners, but not nice when they were just getting in the way!
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great marshelling and once away from the roads great scenery
In full: Great fun - will be back!
Date of review: November 17, 2009

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

In short: Fun and Run should be an oxymoron.... but applies perfectly to this race - loved it
Date of review: November 17, 2009

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

In short: Fantastic Event and a Great Laugh
In full: This course is best if you leave tour watch at home and just enjoy the event. With the mud and water it makes it tough but you just keep on going as their is always somebody to pull you out. The goody bag was excellent. Organised to the heighest standard. Thank You
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A late change to the route but still as good as last year. A really special race and one I hope to do again next year
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: my toughest marathon yet !!
In full: this was my 60th marathon and my 31st
different one. in my view this was very
very tough and although my time of 4-10
is in my bottom 3 I consider it a real
achievement that I ran all the way round
and did not walk at all.
thank god the weather was kind to us I
dread to think how this route would be in
bad weather !!
the race was very well marshalled and the
pockets of support were very welcome.
I have to say the people involved on the
day were extremely friendly and welcoming.
special thanks to the wonderful lady in
the race hq who made me and my mate a cup
of coffee pre-race on the house, very
grateful we were. also, the cheese/onion
pasty at the end was most welcome.
this race was well worth our journey from
the midlands and if you like tough races
go for it-you wont be disappointed !!
to close, thanks to all who made us feel
so welcome. cheers

Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great value, cold water, sadistic, lots of puddles, humour, a long way
Date of review: November 17, 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		80%

In short: plenty of mud, cakes and atmosphere - fantastic race, my favourite see you next year
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: It was my first 10k race and really enjoyed it. Made
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: never ending,freezing cold water upto your waist,hill after hill, never alone , a must to do again!
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: *
Date of review: November 17, 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		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Great value and friendly
In full: As a first timer to this course I was almost caught out by the fact that the start is about a mile from the race HQ. With a heavy bag and 4 children in tow we all got there eventually!
Aside from this slightly stressful start to the day this is a great race and I enjoyed a good PB - must have been all the tension coming out!
I'll be back next year, and I'll know where to go!
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In full: The description of the race profile as "flat" was grossly mendacious. I have often raced in Wimbledon over distances form 10K to half marathon and know it to be very hilly, but it would be possible to have a flat 10K race with a route twice round the common and this description lead me to enter as I wanted to evaluate my performance level on a flat course. This course was hopeless for that. The organisers should have been frank. In addition timings weren't helped by the fact that the last three-quarters of a mile were run on the Common paths which in the aftermath of a very stormy Saturday were water-sodden, muddy and, in parts, very slippery. A course adjustment to stick to roads, leaving just the final run-in of some 80 metres on grass would make more sense in future years
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: I knew it was going to be an Excellent race
In full: I could feel it in my bones that Bexhill half marathon was going to be a brilliant race, and I was right!
Lets make no bones about it Bexhill half marathon is a fantastic race. The organisation, the Marshals, The Medal,
T-shirt, the food and not to mention the chip timing makes this race (yes you guessed it) one of my all time favourites. But I must admit I am Bexhill Runners biggest fan. Lee well done on your announcement skills, you make it look so easy (you can talk for England). I think you deserve a medal for your efforts.
The four laps were nice, but to be honest my left leg problems came back to bite me, which has knocked my confidence, this was probably my third most painful run.
This race deserved to be rated much higher by Runners World raters.
Why? Because it was a bargain, it had star quality, chip timing, attracted big Running Clubs, had tasty cakes, a first class chunky medal and a beautiful red t-shirt. Last but not least the fantastic Marshals who encouraged you all the w-a-y.
What really made this race interesting were the runners. Some of the athletes were so driven that when you looked at them you could see the hunger in their eyes and fire in their belly.


Once again there were a handful of Orpington Road Runner supporters amongst the crowd. Thanks for your support it was music to my ears.


Mark my words Bexhill half marathon 2010 will be much bigger and popular – I can just feel it in my water.



Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Best race Ive ran this year, what a challenge, just fantastic, shame that i had manicured my nails the night before
Date of review: November 17, 2009

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

In short: I've said it before and I'll say it again ... my fave half marathon!
In full: Yet another successful half marathon ... well done Riverside. I love this course, the organisation is slicker than a BP forecourt, the marshals are brilliant and the goody bag + long sleeved technical tee round off an excellent Sunday morning.
And who booked the weather too? Conditions were perfect. Such a shame I couldn't step up to the mark and get a PB.
Oh well, there's always next year.
Date of review: November 17, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: 'For crying out loud ', Where's the race start???
In full: I was so happy to find the start of the race that I had to laugh out loud and was singing and dancing in the rain.
This short cross country race had a couple of steep hills which left you exhausted and breathless and sent shockwaves all over your body. Sevenoaks Charity 5k fun run was more challenging than usual because of the wind, torrential rain and muddy grounds.
I was running well until the young gentleman in front of me fell down heavily. This made me ease down on my brakes as I thought I was next to slip and fall, spinning downhill like a tightly coiled deranged hedgehog. Luckily I did not because it would not have been a pretty sight.
The course was tough and yet it was also enjoyable, which made it a fun great family race. There was mix bag of runners which had some serious club and non-club runners taking part.
It was good to see that some of the big boys and big girls participated in this race and it was also good to see some old Deers .
I am so pleased that I ran this race even though it was a last minute decision, due to the bad cold I caught from my Dearest Hubby.


Now the bad news was that many of the runners and myself had problems finding the entrance of Knowles park. More signs would be helpful, pointing to the park and big sign stating ‘Knowles park’ or ‘Race Start’. It took me and one fellow runner about 30 minutes to the find the race start, others were lost and confused. Runners were asking ‘moi’ where the start was! It was a just pity we were all got drenched before the start of the race, but the rain did not dampen our spirits.
This was a great enjoyable race and I highly recommend this race to all Runners World Readers. However, do not under estimate this unique and cruel 5k cross country race, as it can be one hell of a shocker!
As for myself, I paid a high price for singing and dancing in the rain I developed a chest infection and other problems. Weeks later I am still struggling to shake it off. I am in big trouble because I have got a Marathon round the corner - Oops I’m going to be last again.




Date of review: November 17, 2009

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