Andy Reading 10KHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (220 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Rach E
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Gets better every year
In full: The third time I've run this, and the organisation gets better by the year. For me it was my first 10k after injury and I was running at a controlled race, but this meant I could take more notice of just how good the marshaling and organisation was.
Despite the ice, the organisers sensibly delayed the start for 30 minutes to let the ice melt - and magicked up some rock salt to throw on the problem areas. The result was a course that was virtually ice free.
It's pretty flat and pretty fast. For scenery hunters, the lap of the aerodrome may be a little tedious, but I like this bit as it lets you see pretty much every runner in the race!
Well done Alchester RC and Bicester AC - one of the best organised races I've done! The bacon butties looked lovely, but avoided them this year on account of going to the (excellent) Red Cow in Chesterton for a post-race Sunday roast.
Date of review: December 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: mothrunner
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A flat route and silky-smooth organization
In full: The decision to delay the start by 30 minutes was very wise, and paid off as the roads were virtually ice free. Still, it must have been very cold for the marshalls standing around all that time, so an especially big thank you to them and to the whole organizational team who make this race such a pleasure to run.
Date of review: December 12, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Puffin1
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good fast race
In full: There's a lot to like with this race, fast flat course that's either off road or on quiet roads, the organisation is great with ample parking close to the start finish and no queues for the loo or bags. The marshalls were all friendly and encouraging despite the cold. There's little crowd support on the course but as it's such a fast race that didn't seem to be an issue.
It is a fairly clubby race but not in a bad way. It's just a shame there's no goody bag just a t-shirt. Also a shame that the start was delayed due to ice on some of the roads, but better to be safe than sorry!
All in all it's definately worth doing and I'll be back next year!
Date of review: December 12, 2010
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2009 race reviewed by: Phil Lascelles
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Nice flat course, good for PB. Good and friendly organisation. Good Marshalling.
Date of review: December 31, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Devoted2Distance
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Flat, Fast, PB potential
In full: So this was my first stab at a 10k road race. Preferring long distance, I'm not really sure why I entered it since the 6.2 miles is generally either shorter or on par with my usual daily mileage.
Either way, the atmosphere was very good & friendly - slightly clubby but nothing too intimidating for a beginner or non-club runner.
Truthfully, I think the location could have been better - there are so many beautiful parts around this county, so I was a little miffed by a big section of the race being ran round a rather uninspiring airfield track.
Marshalling was great and even a water station half way for anyone who wanted to top up. (Not necessary if you're well hydrated though IMO)
No iPod rule in force - but for good reason, runners needed to be totally aware seeing as there were sections on roads.
Nice souvenir t-shirt at the end, a bit big for a small but will do for sleeping in! Plenty of refreshments for afterwards too in the warm, convenient hall. Showers/lockers too I believe.
Overall, a well-organised 10k but didn't change my opinion on 10ks - all over too quickly.
Kudos to the Alchester Running Club though and a lot of money raised for the extremely worthwhile charity - MacMillan.
Date of review: December 18, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jonathan Fenster 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: I love this race and achieved a PB
In full: This is a great race for a PB. The airfield is unexciting but there is plenty of space. The organisation ran like clockwork and whilst there are few spectators it is well marshalled.
Date of review: December 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Nick Crank
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good first 10K experience for me and I'll definately return
Date of review: December 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: mee meep
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Chip timing this year improved this race no end!
In full: While the scenery at this race is probably the worst you will see at any race, everything else makes up for it, superb start and finish area, especially for spectators, dont know why but with all aspects combined this is my favorite 10k. Cheers Alchester and see you again next year.
Date of review: December 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Sue Torrance
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good fast race, but very breezy and cold round the Airfield!
Date of review: December 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: yeti
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great, flat, fast race
Date of review: December 14, 2009
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