Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding 10k ChallengeHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (127 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: andyx
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: good start to 2011
In full: It's a shame that the top of the sand dune is such a bottle neck as most runners have to wait minutes before they can continue the race. Otherwise great scenery, and underfoot conditions were much better than expected. Car access, parking etc. much more efficient this year. Great support from marshalls around the course.
Date of review: January 18, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Lee Newman 5
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very enjoyable race. Highly recommended, It was the first time I had entered and it had it all for me. The down hill second half of the course was the most fun I had had all year. More than made up for the tough up hills.
Date of review: January 18, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Gareth Hardman 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Why havent I done this before? :)
In full: How DO you rate a race that starts with a 200m climb (near vertical) up what is claimed by the locals to be the biggest sand dune in Europe (and believe me I had no breath left once I got to the top to argue with them....)?
Somewhat curious to run a Christmas Pudding Race in January - but the recent snows prevented the race taking place before the Christmas period. Personally I hope it was just those pesky insurance people that prevented it from happening - as to have a few feet of snow surely would have just added to the fun? As it turned out, the snow begat rain begat mud - but none of this seemed to dampen the spirits of the many marshals dotted around the course.
A wonderful race I'd thoroughly recommend to all – yes its hard – yes its wet and sandy – but the camaraderie is there for those who want to enjoy the scenery – and the challenge is there for anybody who wants to take up the cudgel. I suspect this years numbers were down given the large XC event taking place in Cardiff on the same day – but that didn’t seem to spoil the day one jot.
Date of review: January 18, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Simon Darke
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great atmosphere, it is difficult to believe just how steep the first dune is even if you've done it before.
Date of review: January 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: David Mitchell 21
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Consistently excellent!
Date of review: January 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: helen fletcher 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Fun, challenging race with great atmosphere
In full: As a bit of a 'fun-runner' I was quite daunted at the prospect of this race but really enjoyed it. Extremely well-organised, challenging (!) and a great atmosphere. A tough race for the less-serious runner but definitely worth a go.
Date of review: January 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Richard Wilder 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Probably more variety than any other race in the country.
In full: More than just a race, bloody good fun. Must do race if you havn't done it before and if you have I'm sure you will be back again.
Date of review: January 17, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: david williams 96
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hard buy very enjoyable looking forward to december to do it again
Date of review: January 17, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Samantha Marshall 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A one-off race with the giant Big Dipper sand dune (800m long) at the start - fantastic atmosphere - love it!
In full: Wonderful race - very friendly and encouraging marshals, mulled-wine and mince pies at the top of the second long climb and the chance to get your feet wet as well - memorable and addictive!
Date of review: January 17, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: matt hopkins 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A well organised race, even slightly out of season. Seemed strange running it in 11 deg C heat!
Date of review: January 17, 2011
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