Events

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

In short: You MUST do this race at least once
In full: This is a classic race, it is beautiful and it has a great atmosphere. The marshalling is fantastic.

I really enjoyed the half marathon - the weather was abysmal, but I think that just added to the fun - you know when there's a point at which you don't care how wet you are any more. We reached that point.

With current regulations and policing costs hitting some road events, you can be sure that this event will just go on and on, which is good news.
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: Togh test but good challenge
In full: Rain,wind,mud,hills oh and that flooded subway at the end but still a good race and might be back for more.
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: A race more against the elements than the distance
In full: Those of you with children that have had to listen to them from the back seat of the car ask "are we there yet?" well, the last 2 miles was like that for me. As for the rest of the marathon, what words haven't been used to describe the conditions, organisation and the intrepid marshals and supporters.
Well done to everyone involved for making it such a challenging and rewarding day.
P.S. Don't forget the ladies who worked miracles with their post race massages, if the popularity of the race increases then there will need to be a few more on hand next year to cater for everyone requiring a massage.
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: all the helpers were very helpful and friendly I had the run run from hell not feeling at all well but all the marshalls helped me finish the race. I'm sure most people would like thank the marshalls and helpers for giving up there Sunday
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: Highly entertaining and thoroughly exhausting day out.
In full: Glorious course to run, and the rain soddened paths churned up by the hundreds of runners ahead of me made for an extremely entertaining time struggling both up and down the slippery hills. The mud, rain and hills conspired to ensure that this would be my slowest marathon yet, by a considerable time, but this did not detracte from a throroughly enjoyable day. Good organisation, superbly marshalled (and all the helpers deserve a very big thank you considering the atrocious weather). This a challenging and fun marathon which makes a nice change from tarmac and traffic.
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: VVV muddy, organisation fair, scenery fantastic!
In full: After last years glorious weather and solid ground the rain and the mud really dominated this one! Having managed just over 4 hours last year I wanted to break the 4 hour mark, but added another 3 minutes on. With the mud slides, additional distance and muddy bath at the end in hindsight this was impossible!
The registration queue, particularly in the rain moved along at a painful snails pace, the reason for which became evident when getting to the front to find 1 person registering names for hundreds of people. Next year, please put more people on! The first drinks station did not seem to materialise so drinks were not available until 6 miles and please please please can you provide energy drinks rather than orange juice next year?! The Paula Radcliffe ice bath we endured at the end may sound awful to some but actually lifted my spirits as it was unexpected and actually quite funny running in filthy muddy water over my knees and it also cleared the multiple layers of mud off my trainers!
Please organise medal and T Shirt collection at the finish next year. Queueing for 15 mins after running 26 miles is not a great way to finish a race and hurts like hell.
Marshalls were fabulous!!! The rain was a challenge for the runners but at least we were moving and keeping warm. They definately have my vote as heroes of the day!
Roll on next year, still need to break the 4 hour mark for this one, but not having 10kgs of mud attached to my trainers might help!!!
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: Fun-tastic first marathon!
In full: Ended up be quite a challenge for my first ever running event....! Lots of wind,'sideways' rain at times.....plus the mud! I was loving it!
Finished a half hour slower than i hoped in 4hrs15....my poor choice of footwear saw to that, plus I unfortunately suffered from lack of water in the first 7 miles. Anyway, lessons learned and looking forward to doing more events!

Many thanks to the fanstastic organisers/volunteers etc....managed to raise a nice amount for the Guide Dogs too!
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: It's tough but I like it...
In full: My Garmin had it at 26.47. Mile marking was actually spot on until the half and then varied by about .2 over (not including the .2 that they'd added on for distance to finish).

This was an excellent race. Finished in 4.38. Met some nice people on the way round. Occassionally remembered to look up and enjoy the scenery! Found the mud field a particular killer but 'enjoyed' the spalsh through the tunnel which allowed me to nab a few places off the less intrepid (but probably faster runners) who were pussy footing it through...
Date of review: October 2, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A new challenge after road racing. A hell of lot of fun as well!
Date of review: October 2, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Wet, muddy, tiring but what else would one want to do on a Sunday?
In full: This was my first half marathon and I'm chuffed to bits that I've done it. It was well organised and the marshalls were stars for standing out in the rain, making sure we went the right way. Did chuckle at the thought of all the puddle dodgers when we reached the underpass wading. Will aim to do full marathon next year.
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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