Events

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: Toughest run I've ever done - I was exhausted at the end
In full: Excellent organisation and good weather made it slightly easier than it might have been. Spent most of my energy trying to stay upright, but only fell over completely once. I ran in road shoes. Tip - don't do this, buy some trail shoes. Lovely big piece of fruit cake at the end!
Date of review: January 15, 2007

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

In short: Great course, friendly atmosphere and impressive organisation
In full: If the organisers keep this up it will become a cult classic.
Terrain - Several steep sections, though the mud - especially on the deep churned narrow paths, is the key terrain feature. Even the flat farmers fields offer little grip. I was glad of my studded Walsh trainers, Mrs Racing P swears by her Innov 8 flyrocs. Some poor souls ran in road flats and must have expended twice as much energy keeping balanced.
Race tips - get your field position right fairly early as bunching occurs at a narrow deeply muddy path early on. Those trying to barge these sections don't get very far, waste energy and earn the derision of other runners.
Drinks - two water stations, a third would have helped, for us sweat monsters a case for a lightly filled camelback could have been made.
Marshalls - some of the most encouraging I've met, even the locals where out in force one banging pans to cheer us on.
Changing - two tents one male the other female though no showers. Remember to bring lots of plastic bags for kit, shoes and to stand on as the tent is on grass (I only had 1).
Parking - very efficient in a farmers yard, no muddy wheel spins and very easy to exit when the event finished. A 10 minute walk to the event start.
Loos - 7 portaloos the queue was long but moved quickly.
Pre and post race raffles, an awesome array of cakes (buy yours before the race as they go quick) plus a cracking medal that says "Roughed and Tumbled 2007" make this an event to remember.
Improvements - the organisers obviously learned from last year's comments about the bags and made bag storage/retrieval incredibly slick. Don't increase the field size.
Date of review: January 15, 2007

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

In short: A very good hard race with a great atmosphere and well organised.
Date of review: January 15, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great views; loads of mud; very steep! Great people at the back with me!
Date of review: January 15, 2007

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

In short: Great fun and great views!
In full: The view from the top of both of the grassy hills was glorious. Great "run" and fun mud. I only fell over twice, which I think is a bonus in itself.
Date of review: January 15, 2007

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

In short: This was my first run only race. Great scenery. Lots of mud which for me is great. A real challenge in terms of terrain (one of the hills required ascent on all fours in places) and certainly something to keep you focussed through the winter training
Date of review: January 15, 2007

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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: In 45 years of running and triathlon one of the toughest events I have ever done
In full: Thoroughly enjoyable and what I remember a real cross country race to be. Well marked and marshalled course with no chance of getting lost. Good atmosphere and well behaved competitors e.g. no barging through in bottle necks although the women who ran past me through a mud pool splashing me comprehensively did give me a good laugh when she fell in face first - you learn to get your pleasures where you can.
If I have a criticism the baggage tent was insecure with piles of bags outside to which you could help yourself. This needs to be addressed for next year. Oh and they ran out of cake by the time I finished!
Date of review: January 15, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Gasping for breath
Date of review: January 15, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: You need to be fast to get to the cakes but a brilliant race. I'll be happy if I can run up two of the hills!
In full: I know I won't ever be able to run up one of the hills. I'd be supprised and impressed if anyone can!
Date of review: January 15, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Hard race, very muddy and hilly but well worth the aches and pains!
In full: Having not done so many cross country this was a hard race for me, but very enjoyable and well worth the mud and aches.
Date of review: January 15, 2007

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