46th Hogs Back 8Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (203 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Wool
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: just like last year
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: andyp
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Friendly Marchalls, especially as it was cold, but basic organisational errors
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Womble
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Shame about the organisation for a special anniversary event
In full: Where was the water station? Apparently there was some talk of cups being overfilled? Why not just provide enough water?
I've never understood the idea of the open air baggage 'store' at the finish area for this event. Why not use one of those tent things to shelter stuff from the inclement weather we generally have at this time of year?
If there was a safety briefing pre-race it was inaudible at the back. The first we knew was hearing the start 'gun' for the off.
There seemed to be another event on which resulted in the tea room being very crowded.
I don't know what the point of the 'goody bag' was when all it contained was adverts - you didn't need it to carry a mug.
I disagree with what someone else says about the course, it is largely on roads and not very pleasant. The police however did do a good job in slowing down the traffic on some stretches which was much appreciated.
I was at the back of the field as I'm coming back from injury but the marshalls on the last couple of bends in the park seemed more intent on chatting than making sure we took the right path.
Signage at the start area could be much improved.
I don't know why this has a 'good' reputation. I will only do it again if it's a club race.
My thanks to all the marshalls who were out there on a cold and at times wet day.
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Stuart H King Stragg
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: A+ for route, C for organisation and "goodie bag"
In full: Being a Hogsback first timer i went in with an open mind on the race.
The race itself is fairly well organised, not great but not bad either. The route is excellent and the finsh very pleasant. However, i cant help but think they could have done better, certainly with the start which just seemed to happen unnannounced, no countdown nothing...very unusual. as for the memento...a cheap mug with a print, again nothing awful or spectacular but im sure most runners would have paid a couple more quid for something of better quality, it will fade in the dishwasher for sure! The organisers probably realise they can get away with lapses in organisation just because the route is such a good one, maybe by the 100th running they'll get it spot on.
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: mark clawson
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: quite a nice course but poorly organised .
In full: a post code on the instructions would have been helpfull , when i arrived no baggage lorry was in place and had to leave bag on the floor in the rain ! however the course was nice,a long steady hill/incline but traffic did make overtaking tricky . the last few miles were fast and flat . the course was well marshalled . my biggest moan would be the race momento ... it was the 50th hogsback and what did we get ... a cheap mug !
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Anthony Fisher 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Mile markers seemed to be all over the place, I even managed a five and a half minute mile!!! - no chance
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: David Theobald
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyed the race, thanks. More water stations and toilets needed. Otherwise well organised.
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Lazybones - The Original
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Difficult to believe they have not learned after 49 other years
In full: I found it hard to believe that this club has organised the race 49 other times. The issues were SO basic. Eight portaloos for 1000+ runners in an area where it was virtually impossible to "go behind a bush". I missed the start (as did probably 50 or so others) by two or three minutes and had to throw my bag onto the pile as I went past. We all thought as chipped wouldn't matter but it was one of those systems which only records the finish so the times are all out. No water at the promised location although I wasn't particularly bothered for 8 miles in December but not point, it was advertised and many behind me may have needed it. Excellent refreshment van hidden behind a hedge in the smallest car park so hardly anyone knew they were there. Would suggest ipods be banned in future - it was very dangerous going up the hill beside constant fast moving traffic with runners obviously oblivious to what was going on around them. Some were walking two or more abreast so impossible to pass them unless you had a strong death wish.
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: ian wynnes
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: If you are ok with hlly start then its a good run for last 5 miles - let down by strange organisation of start and finish.
In full: The run was good and once up the hill its an easy second half. This race had a strange start in a industrial park access road before 3 miles of open roads with live traffic - very dodgy on hill between 2 and 3 miles. Didn't get why the finish is over a mile from the start - not very good for specators and families. Felt sorry for tea/burger and equipment stands which were stuck behind a hedge in the marshalls parking area. Would be a good run with better organisation/information.
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Phil Lightfoot
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% |
In short: Worth The Journey
In full: I live in east london and it was my first time at this event but was pleased I made the effort to get up at 6:30am on a sunday. I was a last-minute RW entry and didn't realise there was a bag drop/transport facility. Would suggest this is mentioned on the organiser's poster next time. Left my car window open so appreciated the good quality parking facilities!
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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