Events

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

In short: Fab run, great scenary, very hot day - great tan!!
Date of review: May 2, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: really enjoyed it...
In full: despite the lack of signs it was heaps of fun. If you were there to run 'fast' or get a placing then you'd have been p**sed about the lack of signs. But as i was just there to run a tough event i just looked at the "not knowing if i was going the right way" as part of the toughness.

Recommended if you really want to cause yourself some pain and suffering :-)
Date of review: May 2, 2005

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

In short: With some decent signposting it could be great.
In full: 26 miles of mud, hills and more hills with no shade on a hot, sticky day is tough enough without adding the extra complication of an almost completely unmarked course. Even the helpers at the drinks stations didn't seem to know which way to go. It's just too demanding a route to have runners going 3 or 4 miles overdistance.

Sort out the route and it could be great race.
Date of review: May 2, 2005

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

In short: Fantastic scenery, good atmosphere before, during and after the race.
Date of review: May 2, 2005

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

In short: A word about the half-marathon race
In full: I know there is probably somewhere else I should post this but I can't work it out!

I had a really great time doing the half but, compared to my other experiences (Great North and Sussex Beacon) it was a small field and at times I was genuinely worried that I would get lost on the Downs!

Once or twice I had to shout at unsuspecting members of the public to ask if they had seen other runners and if I was going the right way... and I was by no means last as it turns out!

More signs/marshalling would be useful.

I would definitely do this again but it is punishing... sometimes the downhills more so than the ups if you're not used to the terrain. It has definitely motivated me to go out training on the Downs and maybe try the marathon next year.

The cakes and biscuits at the end were very much appreciated and the atmosphere was really friendly.



Date of review: May 2, 2005

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: knowing your way around this part of The Downs helps, as sighposts few & far between.
Date of review: May 1, 2005

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In short: A new concept in running - orienteering without the map
In full: This is a glorious (although extremely tough) race over staggering scenery, with easy access, good parking, changing, excellent drinks/biscuits, a nice medal and a good t-shirt.

However, all of this was negated by the almost complete lack of course indicators, and the A4 map provided was nowhere near detailed enough. I and the rest of the front runners took a huge (2-3 mile) detour and then struggled through the field to make up the lost time. Another 3 turns were complete guesswork, and at 2 I simply stopped to let people behind me catch up to debate about which way was next.

Added to this were marshalls 3 or 4 miles off in their estimates of remaining distance, and not much help crossing roads. In poorer weather conditions this could have been a real nightmare.

I don't like to criticise the volunteers who organise these events too much, but they need a marker at every turn - relying on local runners to figure it out is just not good enough.

Date of review: May 1, 2005

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

In short: Very scenic - very tough!
In full: Due to poor signposting dozens of runners took a wrong turning and had to run 3 extra miles. No mile markers, definitely longer than 26.2!
Date of review: May 1, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		80%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Great event in the South Downs
In full: remember this is a trail event with a few hills !
Date of review: April 18, 2005

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In short: a race you can just run at at steady pace and really enjoy yourself, not need to worry about times
Date of review: March 1, 2005

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