Events

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

In short: Good low key race for time of year.
In full: Having run this course loads of times I new 4 laps would be tough, but interesting. Its not a PB course although I ran a PB by 5 minutes but that was not done to the course being fast. Glad I had my Garmin as distance markers every 10 miles would not of helped with pacing. Drink stations were adequate for the 50km. One station had energy drinks and the other water, so energy gels were needed by me at the water station. Route was very clear and explained in detail at the pre-race briefing. Excellent marshalling and people at the drinks stations. As is normal with ultras most of the race I was running by myself, it would have been better if the Marathon runners had done the same start route then we would of had persons to run with. Had no problems turning left for the finish, counting 4 laps was easy compared to the 30+ laps in some ultras. Nice drinking glass momento. Well done to everyone for putting on a January Marathon and Ultra which was much needed in the race calender.
Date of review: January 30, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: no major problems, enjoyed the day
In full: cost me an extra 1.50 to collect the pre race info from the post office, glad i only live in gloucester, have run this course many times for the 10, 20 miler and old marathon course best weather by far that made a major differance to the day. used my garmin for the distance, so more mile/km markers next time please.great people on the drinks stations
Date of review: January 29, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Friendly local race for me. Needs some tweaks on the organisation and then it would be much better.
In full: I did the marathon as it was very local to me and I enjoyed it. Luckily I knew the area so was aware where to turn etc.

I think this could be a very good race and the organisers had the best of intentions so I'll add a few recommendations which would have made it much better:

1. Mile markers for the marathon (as the Garmin measured it as further than 26.2 it was hard to pace) the 40k marker also seemed out.
2. A sign at the end of the loop saying "Marathon turn after 3 laps" and "Ultra turn after 4 laps"
3. It was too far between the last drinks station and the end. We could have missed the earlier drinks on the first lap but it was over 5 miles between the last drinks and the finish.
4. PLEASE take out the "dog leg" at the end. It seemed to go on forever.
5. There seemed to be confusion about whether we should run on the right or left. I would generally run on the right but at parts of the course we were told to go on the left. I'm assuming the course was measured along the shortest route.

I hope the organisers manage to iron out some of these problems as it could be a very special race. I particularly liked the pub at the end to rehydrate.

I will do it again.
Date of review: January 29, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: 3 laps of glorious countryside, and some very nice prizes
In full: Undulating or rolling, nobody said it was flat. Virtually traffic free. Water and Hi5 and own drinks at the right places. 3 loops meant that you were aware of what was coming and could mentally prepare.
Agreed, the distance marking was poor: surely it should have been miles for the marathon, and Km for the 50k?
Also agreed, the out & back dogleg on the marathon finish was just cruel. Cruel.
However, this was a first time event and they have found a special place in the marathon nutters calendar. It even fits in nicely with FLM plans.
I'll be back.
Date of review: January 28, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Good event overall with a few crucial blindspots...
In full: Enjoyed this event and the course is fair and almost traffic free. Stewards were friendly and helpful. My only real gripe would be the almost total absence of mileage or Km markers in the 50k race (There was also a marathon). Having three markers in a 31 mile race is JUST NOT ENOUGH. Feedback on pacing is crucial for gauging your performance. This is a bewildering flaw in anotherwise fine race.
Date of review: January 28, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A decent race - could be even better
In full: Weather really made this day....if it had been wet and windy it could have been quite desolate. Anyway...generally pretty well run, but a couple of points:

No drinks available as you finished...and had to ask where to go to get one.
The people noting No.s at the lap point didnt direct me left to the finish I had to ask which way to go!
The last out and back along the lane was thoroughly demoralising.
Date of review: January 28, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Perfect day
In full: Great choice of route and short enough laps to get your mind round doing 4! Also meant water stations were only 3 miles apart - essential in scorching January!
Date of review: January 27, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: great race,very friendly ,beautiful location
In full: really friendly entry level ultra,the weather made it even more picture postcard.slightly more undulating than advertised but this made it more interesting and for a plodder like me gave me the excuse to slow down and not go all out and risk not finishing.also the 5 hour limit was a bit tight for me but they were flexible so allowed me to finish.in all a great event and very friendly.
Date of review: January 27, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: mm, could have done with more mile markers, also when they post the race details out, its best to put a 24p stamp on it, it cost me £1.50 just to pick up the letter from the post office!!!!
Date of review: January 27, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Well organised event. The course was certainly undulating and was in beautiful countryside. A great addition to my race calendar.
Date of review: January 27, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator