Fairlands Valley Challenge Multi-Terrain Marathon (Now Incorporating UK Trail Running Championships)  Here's how RW members rated this race (110 votes). | The big picture (110 votes) | | Overall score | | 90% | | How many would do it again? | | 95% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 84% | | PB potential | | 51% | | Atmosphere | | 82% | | Organisation | | 85% | | Value | | 92% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 75% |
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2012 race reviewed by: The Scarlet Pimpernel
 | | 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: Mud glorious mud..... And bread pudding
In full: Well after all the rain it was bound to be muddy and indeed it was. I won't repeat what has already been said by others regarding following the directions that are given to you. It is after all a marathon challenge but I found there was a good atmosphere between runners and walkers with everyone being helpful. I didn't get too lost over the 26.5 miles that I ran.
The mud was energy sapping and I like everyone else was caked in mud but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend. The route is very scenic and took me to places in the countryside I would never normally go. Thankfully the sun was out. Thanks to the organisers and the bread pudding and drinks at the checkpoints. Well done FVS and maybe see you next year... If my body can handle
Date of review: July 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Emily Zong
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great fun, though do expect to bring your left and right brain to the race
In full: I was lost for an hour, though I really have myself to blame. As it's my very first marathon, I really hoped I would've chosen something easier. At least something that I could really test my speed and enjoy the endurance bit. NOT the frustration of not knowing where to go... I really hope there will be markers along the way.
But if I were ever lost during a marathon, I hope it would be this one, because the scenery was just amazing! The "extra miles" were probably worth it in that sense. Also, the organizers and other participants were extremely kind and nice. It's not exactly an intense atmosphere, most people were there to just have a good Sunday out in the fields. Mostly walk/run.
Word of advice, find someone who runs at the same speed as you do, seems to belong to their running club, and just follow him/her.
Date of review: July 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: david cato 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: hard work but worth it
In full: cracking scenery and challenging in places, the first 18 miles sailed by for me, probably due to navigating. i think my brain went a bit mushy after that and I had to really pay attention to the directions.
Overall, a highly recommended race and one that you should definitely look to try out
Date of review: July 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Shen-Lung
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it - the marshals, organisers and event was excellent. Really fun and encouraging.
In full: This was my third ultra (in as many months) and my first on my own. The instructions were really clear - there were a couple of times I needed to double check but that was more about me not know how far various metre lengths were!
From the volunteers on the registration desk to the ones manning the checkpoint - they were all fun and encouraging and all had a smile (I think they were as grateful for the weather as we were!)
It wasn't a ride in the park for me - but surely that's the point of a challenge! and the 5 blisters on my toes from my wet shoes rubbing certainly made the last few miles interesting.
But none of that takes away from the organisation and volunteers which made this event a great day out!
Date of review: July 15, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: DOUGIE WALLER
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A real treat
In full: I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I did the Ultra distance and along the way got chatting to a couple of runners who regalled a novice ultra runner with some great stories. The miles slipped by.
The organisation was brilliant, the course fairly easy to follow and just the right amount of testing terrain. All the feeding stations were well stocked and staffed by terrific people who endured all sorts of weather.
Thanks to all the people who made my day so enjoyable.
Date of review: July 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: helly d
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: July 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tony Reeve
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 26 miles of glorious mainly off road countryside. A pleasure
In full: I love these trail runs: The orienteering with just a few instructions on A4 & a map; Team spirit, as runners work together to fathom the route; and glorious countryside, across fields, through woods, hardly a road in sight.
Turns an endurane run into a pleasure.
I would definitely do this again
Date of review: July 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Michael Shipley
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: High hopes but it ultimately failed to deliver
In full: Having run in the Stevenage half marathon last year I had been very impressed with all aspects of the experience and professional organisation, as such, I had high hopes that this would be equally as good. Unfortunately the reality did not live up to my expectations. The 5 pages of 'detailed' instructions handed out before the race were ambiguous and open to interpretation to say the least. Parts of the course required you to run along narrow country lanes with cars whizzing past at the national speed limit, this appeared to be an unnecessary risk. The largely countryside course itself was scenic and challenging which was great, however, it could have been so much improved if there were simple course markers set up to point you in the right direction and negate the possibility of running 'bonus miles'!!! This course is new and does have the potential to be much better, I just hope that for next year this race is more about running rather than deciphering overly complicated and misleading course directions.
Date of review: July 19, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: David Shipley 3
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Lovely views helped with the forecast bad weather staying away for long periods. Instructions appeared detailed but when read in a large field, quickly became ambiguous. Inevitably, several miles were added which increased the frustration.
In full: Being an Ultramarathon beginner I had high hopes for this event. By the end I did not feel that it was the distance that got the better of me however. Whilst the course instructions appeared detailed, it became clear early on that there was plenty of room for interpretation when faced with tracks through fields, following hedgelines and the like. It would be easy to blame the runners that got lost that they wern't reading the instructions clearly. However whilst many finished without these apparent problems, I got the impression they already knew the course (at least partially) which obviously helped! Sections of the event were held on country lanes (60mph territory) which in the absence of paths had the potential for serious safety concerns. The volunteers were great with their well-stocked checkpoints making for welcome sights! As for suggestions, I think there is a strong need for course markers particularly between checkpoints. There was too much opportunity between them for getting lost. I think it would have only required minimal effort to put down posts, flags, ribbons tied to trees etc especially when the course was followed to write the instructions.
Date of review: July 18, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Alan Byrne 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good fun run - getting lost is part of the enterainment!!
In full: Usually been more of a PB chaser myself but this changed my perspective a bit. I did the 12.3 mile option but undoubtedly did at least a half marathon after getting lost a few times, sometimes from following the people just in front but that made it more of an adventure. As someone else said it should be viewed as a run rather than a race so I will hopefully go for the 18 mile next year as I now know the 12 mile route! Great checkpoint food, friendly people and a burger at the end :)
Date of review: July 17, 2011
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