Events

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

In short: I Love 10 Mile Races.
In full: 10 miles is my favourite race distance, and to have a big city race over this distance is great. Nothing can be done about the weather, in the 4 times that I have done the race, it has been windy, lovely and sunny, and two wet ones! Its just pot luck.

I think it is a fairly quick course, have consistantly improved my times each year.

Portsmouth - a strange place. On the one hand, excellent support all the way round the course, but unfortunately the city does seem to contain more than the national average of muppets! 2 years ago we had our car damaged, and this year my wife had an egg thrown at her, which broke on her head. This hurt her and gave her one hell of a shock. This happened around the 3 to 4 mile point of the race. I do not know if anyone else saw this, or had the same problem, but the police should be aware of this. It is very, very worrying and dangerous. She still has a sore head today.

Agree with other comments regarding traffic, goody bag etc. Yes.. sorry, but the celbs should not be in front.. I nearly ran into the back of John Motson in the first 50 metres!

Will we be back next year... of course.. I just love 10 miles !! :-)
Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: Very well organised, but dreadful place to run,
In full: If you enjoy:
- Racing in late October when the weather is awful
- Running round grubby back streets with cobbled roads
- Travelling by car because the local rail network can't get their act together
- Queuing up for 2 hours to get out
- Running an unrecognised distance (10 miles)
- A 2-mile finish facing a strong head-wind along the sea front.

Then this race is certainly for you!

Guys, the organisation from a race perspective was spot on. But please please please move it to somewhere where there are more than 2 roads out and that isn't called Portsmouth. It really is a hole. The weather didn't do it any favours I know, but speaking as someone who's been there when it's not raining, I know it's not much better when the sun's out!

But I must also say that the support was excellent. For people to get out in that weather and bang their pots and pans together is laudable. It was definately the most uplifting element of the race. You should really applaud yourself.


Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: Great event, good atmosphere, considerate planning
In full: Travel is the downside - 4 hours to get from car to London in wet clothes....
Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: Give it up for the crowds.....
In full: I really enjoyed this race. Despite the bad weather and pitiful time I thought the organization was flawless. Car parking was bad. We left fairly sharpish after the race so avoided most of the queues.
Considering what the weather was like I think a big cheer needs to go out for the poeple who lined the route in the pouring rain and encouraged the runners.
This course would be a wonderful race if the weather was better. We planned for a day out enjoying the race atmosphere, browsing the charity stalls and taking in the sea air and enjoying lunch after the event. As it happens we did a runner straight after the race because my wife and three kids were all a bit fed up with hangingn around.
One small gripe.... lucozade sport sachets a re a pain in the neck to open when you are running. Maybe marshals could open them for us in future?
Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: The race itself is fine, but there needs to be some serious questions asked about the traffic management and car parking !
In full: As one of the "Great Run" series there are expectations of how well it is organised. Clearly, they cannot control the weather and the course is as interesting as it can be for a city based race. The starts, water stations, finish funnel at all work well - I have no complaints with this side. But, and it is a big but, the traffic management this year was terrible. The pre-race info asked us to arrive by 9 am. From the time I hit the queues (at 8:50) to the common took 1 hour !! And there was a £3 for "a professional car parking service". Well, I've been to a lot of big events - Badminton Horse Trials, County shows and these have much better car parking. Not enough car park marshalls, poor signage, and a lack of thought. Who's idea was it to have the only car park exit lane through the runners returning after the finish? There were loads of runners still arriving and queueing for the loos as the first wave left. So, please Great Run and or Portsmouth City Council and or Hampshire Police have a good look at what happened and make some positive changes.
Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: Another Great South RAIN
In full: Again the weather was poor and again the wind was blowing. I like this race even though i have never run it in the dry. The support is excellent and the organisation and marshals were great agian.
Thanks to anyone who stood in the rain to chere people on it realy is appreciated.
Last two miles were awful thanks to the wind being in your face and the rain feeling like glass as it was blown into you.
Personally not my best time as i ran a 1.34 but as im due on the operating table for a groin hernia in a week or so and weather was groos i cant complain.
Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: Can someone please book some decent weather next year!!
In full: My 2nd Great South Run and the weather was just as bad, if not worse, than last year! That said, great race with great support. £3 to park was uncalled for, and I thought the goody bag was a bit tight for the entrance fee. Although the medal and t-shirt are good quality.

I'll be back next year - must remember to do some training!!
Date of review: October 29, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Well Organised Race
In full: Would say its a poss for PB but really depends on weather, which was really rough in the last couple of miles. Enjoyed running through the dockyard and watching the boats go in and out.

Well organised and marshalled on the course. Plenty of water, drinks etc and for a change plenty of toilets. Something most races dont get right.

Atmosphere was really great, plenty of people braving the weather to support - thank you.

Parking was a mare. I took a park and ride option but when I got there the Hotel knew nothing about leaving the car there! Good start. Coach had difficulties getting in and out of Portsmouth. Did watch the fun from those parked on the Common, agree with the comments that the marshalls didnt seem to know what was going on or co-ordinate with Police who controlled roads further up.

Real shame trains werent running as that was my preferred method of travel.

Overall great race, shame about the weather. Hope to be back next year.
Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: What is it with the Weather and this race !!!!!
In full: Second year I have done this now and the weather was just as bad as it was last year, OK it wasn't raining as hard but the wind on the last 2 miles!!!
Anyway apart from Mother Nature being a B**** the race itself still remains one of my favorites of all time. Nice fast flat race - loads of public support. Well marshaled. My only real complaint this year was that the goodie bag was very tight. They seriously need to start putting some effort into those! Me personally I got a PB by about 30 seconds (would of been a bit more if it wasnt for the wind!) Great day.
Oh one more thing .... they are now charging £3 for parking????? Whats that about
Date of review: October 29, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great course, good organisation shame about the weather!
In full: My first GSR, the flat scenic course lived up to its reputation and despite the weather the support was great all the way around. We followed advice and got there by 9am and managed to street park which allowed quick getaway. If weather had been better we would have stayed and enjoyed the ample hospitality and atmosphere. Much thanks to good marshalling and organisation. But why so many water bottles when a wet sponge would do and the lucosade sport juice packs were lethal once thrown across the course.All in all though a good event that will survive despite the parking complaints today, I'm sure if more had stayed then a staggered exit would help get cars off the common.
Date of review: October 28, 2007

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