Events

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

In short: A great race. So much better than the old route. Excellent marshals. Very well organised. Thank you.
In full: I had fallen out of love with the old route, on which the first 20 miles were pretty scenic and the last 6 miles took you into the middle of nowhere. The current route is far more scenic and the 2-lap element is great for anticipating what is to come in the latter stages. The running looked a bit lonely for the 4hr + runners - the field definitely thins out compared to, say, London, so I am not sure it would be ideal for beginners! Marshals were encouraging and efficient, including the lady with the ghetto blaster playing Chariots of Fire. Thank you all.
Date of review: October 17, 2010

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

In short: Need bottles at water stations not plastic cups
Date of review: October 17, 2010

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

In short: Back for 2010 - just as good as last year - if not better!
In full: Just got back from Abo 2010.

Well, what can I say?

It was a fight or flea for me with this race - put all the training in, not injured, clocking good times then last night my father died. I had to decide whether I would still run or not - I did and I decided to run in his memory.

It was tough at some points but everyone was spectacular. I talked to and hugged and shook hands with so many 'strangers' and people off the forum and it made for the most unforgettable race of my life.

Home in 3.41 (4 mins off PB) - not the 3.30 I aimed for but I went off a bit quick and slowed naturally around 17/18 miles.

Course was pretty much the same as last year so nice to know some familiar points.

Marshals were fantasic - as was crowd support. Plenty of water, jelly babies and a woman at around mile 20 with COKE which I could have kissed her for (I didn't though, I'm not a lesbian)

Only thing that p'd me off a bit was the slow start on the track - getting around it (especially as it was frosty so quite slippery) and then off onto the route was a bit of a claustrophobic nightmare but it's nice that they uphold tradition and have the start/finish at the track as it makes it feel more athletic.

SUCH a flat course. Have ran a few XC races and Woodstock 12 a while back (9 hills and mini hills in between!) and this was definitely a positive.

Will be back next year.

Favourite Mara.
Date of review: October 17, 2010

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

In short: This race sets the standards that club organised events should aim to mimic.
In full: It's an RW forum party, a F*tch frolic, a PB hunter's autumn target and altogether a great day out. Usually I'm with the skinnies at the pointy end, trying to shave seconds off the pb. This year I was over an hour later, but it's a real party atmosphere back there.

Eleven out of ten.
Date of review: December 4, 2009

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

In short: What a day! What an event! What an experience! Absolutely awesome!
In full: My first marathon at the gae of 50 and what a choice!

This was a terrifically well organised event, great experience and a splendid result for me. I came home in 3:09:18, achieving my 'Good For Age' (GFA) target time for VLM of sub 3:15.

I only started racing seriously in Nov 2008, so I'm absolutely delighted with my result and plan to go sub 3 next year when I take on a couple more marathons. This will definitely be one of them! Highly recommended - a cracker without question!
Date of review: November 5, 2009

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

In short: Fast, no nonsense marathon, very well organised
Date of review: November 4, 2009

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

In short: Enjoyed it would do it again
In full: Organisation was great and plenty of help if you were in trouble on race day.
Date of review: October 24, 2009

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

In short: Enjoyed it would do it again
Date of review: October 24, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Superb organisation, nice course, superb conditions, pb :)
In full: Can't fault this race! Congratulations to the organisers. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Date of review: October 24, 2009

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

In short: A first marathon for me and a great course. The double loop could be a littl tricky if you're counting miles but otherwise well worth the effort
Date of review: October 23, 2009

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