Events

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

In short: Loved it
In full: I really enjoyed the race, despite the weather. I was really pleased as I achieved my target time and in general the wave system seemed to work better than many races. I started in Orange C and didn't get too badly held up. Having said that there were still many over ambitious runners in the Orange wave and quite a few white wave runners appearing in the starting line up. The only other issue I had, was if people are being constantly overtaken, or walking, please move to the side of the road - or don't tut when people plough into you or barge past you! It may be a 'fun run' to some people, but to many it is a serious PB hunting ground.

That said I will absolutely do it again!
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: Great first 'Big' race, shame about the weather
In full: This was my first 'Big' race (previous max was a 10k) and it was truely Great. The route was varied from the coast, through the dock area and out into the town and back, with some really good support along the way. The start was, given the number of people, surprisingly good and smooth, even though I was near the back of the last wave to go. There was enough water stations, if not enough people manning them at times. All in all, my only negative from this race was the lack of signs at the finish telling you where things were, I managed to wander aimlessly around for about 5 minutes after collecting my goody bag looking for the charity tent area. But by then, nothing could dampen my spirits and I will be back!
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: Same old GSR !
In full: Got to Portsmouth at 09:00 to find the normal GSR weather, hosing it down and blowing a gale ! However, running on the sea front in late October should we really be surprised ? Weather eased off for the race, which was a marked improvement over last year, but perhaps an earlier date should be looked at given the number of people attending (running and spectating). Great support as always, and the multi-wave start help get everyone running in the slightly tight and twisty first mile, though, as noted already, having started in Orange wave C should I really have been overtaking people from waves A and B within 1.5 miles ? Still, a good race for beginners and those seeking a PB alike.
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: A good first 10 miler to do bit disappointed about being at the back
In full: This was my first 10 mile race and enjoyed the experience BUT being a "beginner" i was allocated Green wave C and spent the whole race dodging slower runners and even passing White and Orange numbers on my way round. I stated i was aiming to run it in 90 minutes but i don't think they took any notice of that and my time of 94 minutes would have been a lot faster had i been in a higher grouping.

Did really enjoy the race and a fast course convinced me to come back and do it again at a faster time!
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Fast but let down in key areas
In full: 2 things let this down:
1. The Mile markers were way out, which was annoying as I was using this as a good race to test my marathon training pace.
2. They messed up the allocation of waves. I don't think people were overly ambitious in their finish times; I think something went wrong with the system. My girlfriend should have been allocated with her sister in the White wave, but ended up with me in the Orange wave. I know a few other people this happened to.
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: Great Race, shame so many people in orange wave slowed the start
In full: Great race, althought cold and wet at the start. Difficult to hear "mr motivator" as he led the warm up as there was a separate tannoy system to introduce the elite athletes. The race organisers really need to be more strict about who enters the orange wave - I was aiming for a sub 70 minute run - but spent first 2 miles weaving through MUCH slower runners which meant I was 4 minutes outside my PB. Other than this it was a great run - althought the weather in the last few years has put a dampner on it! Perhaps they need to make the run two weeks earlier?
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: Excellent support transforms this race from a dull, rainy 10 miles into an event worth doing
In full: Whilst I very much enjoyed this race again I have to agree with the comments on the wave start - I was bumped down to white A this year which was fine but within a mile I was coming across obviously unfit people struggling with Orange numbers. This must be so annoying for them being passed constantly and for faster runners weaving to get past them.

Actually rather liked the rain this year and not so blowy on the final stretch and will definately be back for more next year but it would be nice to think that the Great Run peeps will start to listen to the runners and keep this race on the list for faster runners.
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: Great Flat, Fast Race
In full: I have completed this race 5 times now and have always enjoyed it. Okay getting in and out the city by car can take a bit of time but other than that I think that it is a fantastic course. There is very little in the way of undulations meaning that it’s has great potential for a PB and is a good 10 miler for 1st time runners over this distance. Despite the rain and wind over the last 3 years there is always a fantastic amount of support for the runners, so full credit to the locals and spectators.

Though I do have to agree with some of the previous posts about people being a bit over ambitious with their entry time. I can understand about people wanting to enjoy the moment though it is a little frustrating coming across a line of 3 people walking within the first mile.
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: started in 1500th, finished 290th after usual first mile slalom!!
In full: Last year I finished in 321st position, this year I finished in 290th so why do I have to start in orange B behind 1500 runners of extremely mixed ability. Dodging around all of the people who must have lied about their expected time added over a minute to my first mile and so stuffed up my chances of a pb.
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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

In short: First run in such a large organised event. Impressed by the smoothness of the whole set-up
In full: Only disappointing aspect was the grading in the wave start. Are runners too optimistic of their finish times or is it an admin error? Some runners in white wave C were walking at 1 mile, even more at 2, thus holding everyone else up. Took first 4 miles to get past slower runners. If I do it again, I will definitley look to go up a wave.
Date of review: October 28, 2008

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