Events

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

In short: A very hard steep hill at the start and a longer subtle hill towards the end.
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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

In short: Despite the marshalling problems in the 10k: great races
In full: OK, there was a major balls-up with the marshalling on a section of the 10k for the lead runners. A very good friend of mine could well have been first lady: she finished 2nd. Was she 1st? We'll never know.

This kind of thing is what race directors have nightmares about before the race. I'm sure it won't happen again, as the race organisation here is normally spot on.

In fact, I ran the half and the marshalling was superb. Combining this together with the testing course and great support make this an event I'll keep coming back to.

One other thing....please fix the chip timing computer so we get all the (correct) results at the end.
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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

In short: Good 10K race.
In full: I've done the half marathon a few times so decided to opt for the 10K this time as I hadn't trained enough for the big one! Definately not a PB course but the gooody bag, medal and t-shirt at the end were good. My only concern was the start. Putting all the runners (half marathon and 10K'ers)together at the start mean't there were a lot of differing paces off the line and it was hard to get up to speed from the gun with slower runners in front.
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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

In short: Enjoyable
In full: Well organised, nice wide start. Varied route with intermittent but good local support. Enough changes of scenery and direction to keep it interesting. I'm not a medal person but this was very impressive, and the goody bag had obviously had some thought and effort put into it.
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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

In short: The hill is big and the last 3 miles are long!
In full: This was my first half marathon and I didn't really know what to expect. I live in Wycombe so the 'big' hill was not a shock to me (that much!) but I was suprised by how undulating the rest of the course was. The support round Flackwell Heath was amazing. There was plenty of water and sponges which was good. The goody bag was excellent. Only real grip was that it would have been nice if the Loudwater residents had moved their wheelie bins off of the pavement as us slower runners have to run on those pavements. I nearly fell off the kerb at one point as it was so narrow with the bins in the way! And, how come the last 3 miles feels like about 6?
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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

In short: Monumental screw up in 10k race spoilt day!
In full: I second what Ed Furness says but slightly different experience. was at worst 6th coming into the 7.5k part, only to see there was no marshall for the left hand turn up Keep Hill!Was racing two fellas at the time who were a couple of seconds ahead, so it could have gone either way. Proceeded with the correct route as I'd done it last year as they went the wrong way, presuming I'd gain from their misfortune. I passed through 8 and 9k apparently as only the second to actually go the right route (!), only to come out at the other end of the field and find a flood of 4 people I hadn't seen all race ahead of me having done what must have been 400-500metres less! VERY annoying, as I couldn't reign 2 of them in, let alone have the big finish against the 4th and 5th placed at the time. Therefore came 8th which was disappointing as the true story will be forgotten. However, must be even worse for those who'd done the wrong route and therefore their times are completely worthless!

Handy Cross, bad error, missing off 2 absolutely key stewards, terrible work. But fair play resolved quite quickly, so if you weren't in the front 30 in the 10k you'd have been none the wise.
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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

In short: Good run, after the first hill it wasnt as hilly as I was expecting!! Very impressive medal!!
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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

In short: It's a Love Story, baby just say yes...when I first saw you.
In full: The event organization was fantastic, repeating last year's smoothness in the provision of water, marshalling, luggage store and runners' finish area. I still can't believe what good value this event is, especially considering the entrance fee and the goody bag (candy inc.) waiting for each competitor over the finish line, under the small but pleasing marquee.
The weather was considerably better than last year's heat, although the real downpour only began around a quarter past eleven or so. This year I managed to spot several ducks out crusing on the several watery areas beside various segments of the course, similarly dousing myself with the proffered sponges until thoroughly soaked. I did miss last year's Elvis music though, only because I really couldn't stand this year's reggae and hip-hop.
The course ? Undulating, once you get away from the brutal climb five or ten minutes into the race. I might be back.
Date of review: July 19, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: tough but enjoyable and really great value
In full: the last few miles seemed to be endless, it seemed a bit more than 13.1, but really enjoyable and i'll do again next year. Fantastically well organised
Date of review: July 19, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Don't let the big hill put you off
In full: The hill really isn't that bad and once you've made it to the top you've done the hard work... nothing too tricky after that. Think it would be better if the 10K and half weren't started together because it was very conjested getting out of the aprk and up the hill. I had to run in the road a lot to pass people because the footpaths were narrow or blocked. Anyhow it was a great run and I'd do it again.
Date of review: July 19, 2009

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