Events

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

In short: Interesting touristic tour of Bristol, not for your PB
In full: Everything ok except:
- no marshals at the start, hence very slow runners could mix happily with the 'blue' runners
- I didn't appreciate the cobbled Queens Square and the up hills around Broadmed, just when you have 10 miles in your legs
- no comment on the goodie bag
Date of review: September 9, 2007

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

In short: A good and fast race, with potential for improvement
In full: Much better than last year, the course change was excellent & meant the field had spread out nicely before entering the twisty bits of the city. Starting pens better than last year, but still confusion over where number colours went, not made easier by statements on the website before the race saying they'd got starting positions wrong. Again why we had to wait until 3 days before the race to get the numbers/chips etc is beyond me, and no T shirts on the day ?
On the bright side all the marshals, & people on drinks stations were great-a big thanks to you all.
Did I enjoy it ? Yes of course, big race in big city with lots of nice happy running types-what better way to pass a Sunday.
Date of review: September 9, 2007

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

In short: Better than last year, but still has problems
In full: Big thanks to all organisers again, but there's a way to go yet guys.
Race info and number was woefully late coming out - 2 days before. I feel sorry for anyone who came a long way and their travel plans got messed up.
The start was less chaotic than last year, but still slow/crowded and the pens were still useless, like '1hr to 1:45', so anyone planning to run 8:00 min miling was right up the front with those looking for sub 5. I know Reebok think we should all "run at the speed of chat" or some rubbish, but that makes no sense in an event that includes UK & AAA championships and trials for WRRC.
Course was also better than last year with crowd support at the end, where you'd expect it, but could have warned us about the cobbles. Water and lucozade stations were great, with marshals there picking up rubbish too this time.
Some of the mile markers were invisible, others hung up high in trees; not good.
I'm afraid there's no other way to describe the "goody bag" than absolute CRAP. £20+ for a tin of soup?!! Try harder or don't bother.
Like a lot of others, I would say the organisers need to focus on making this event better rather than bigger. If they want the continued support of serious club runners then they will need to cater for them properly; there are lots of other HMs in the West & South West that are way better value and PB potential.
Date of review: September 9, 2007

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

In short: Good race much better organized at the start this year.
In full: My only negative is that if in the future they increase the numbers then they must be very strict on the start positions. The Great North Run has a good system last year with pens that had restricted entry. Bristol will suffer if they dont get strict on this.
Date of review: September 9, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Stop chasing numbers of entrants and think about quality and value for money.
In full: My fourth HM here. I liked the new course layout although mats over the cobbled areas might have helped keep things going at 10-11 miles.
Organization was v poor. Nearly £30 to enter and no T shirt on the day - don't get me started on the goody bag!!!
Crowd support in the city section always helps raise the pace - thanks also to the cadets manning the drink stations - they did a great job.
Now in two minds about coming back for a fifth time. Its my local event so I want to support it, but the organisers seems obsessed with making it bigger rather than better. Shame.
Date of review: September 9, 2007

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

In short: well oraganised this year , a fun big city event with great crowd support
Date of review: September 9, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Nice t-shirt, good crowd support but the most disappointing goody bag ever! .
Date of review: September 9, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Still some glitches to sort out, but like British Rail of old, they're getting there
In full: Revised course this year nearly works, but there seem to be a lot of switchbacks and way too many cobbles. They ditched them from the London route for a reason!

There need to be more precise pace boards at the start - making the first wave 1 hour to 1 hour 45 minutes is ridiculous. In fairness, it did only take me 20 seconds to cross the start line, but it would have been easier if there had been clear pace boards in 10-15 minute bands.

Something to eat at the end would have been nice - something other than soup. Lucozade isn't really enough.

There seemed to be more toilets this year and queues weren't too bad.

Medal is nice as always.

Water stations were well-manned and sufficient in number, although it might be sensible to remind people on the outward leg on the Portway that they shouldn't throw their bottles into the return leg lane - it was littered with tripping hazards!

Pity that race packs came out rather late for some and that the t-shirts weren't ready on time for the guys.

A band or some music on the quiet stretch of the Portway would have provided a welcome lift.

Overall, I did have a fairly enjoyable day, but there didn't seem to be a 'wow' factor.
Date of review: September 9, 2007

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