Fred Hughes 10Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (382 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Andrew R
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hilly ten miler with cheerful marshalls and great atmosphere
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Adrian Hicks
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: as previously stated poor organisation at the start but overall very good!
In full: yes...all a bit messy at the start...maybe they could actually start the race on the main road rather than in the car park?? really nice run after you got into your stride and the marshalls were very encouraging....well done st albans striders! i'll be back next year!
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Fullstretchlimo
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely race spoilt by the chaos at the start.
In full: Lovely race that I enjoy every year. However, I did expect the organisation at the start to be sorted out for this year, last year all the same comments were made about the lack of marked start & no clear starting point so the entire field were lining up incorrectly. I'm surprised that a race organised by a good running club is so chaotic at the start it spoils an excellent race. Please get it sorted for next year!! Top marks to marshals all the way round.
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Old No7
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: NIce race, could be organised better
In full: Nice undulating course along very quiet country lanes, really impressed at how little traffic there was. Whilst the course was undulating there were no really tough hills, so enjoyable.
The organisation at the start however was very poor, runners brought to the start late and as it starts at the crest of a hill, all the slower runners want to be near the front, and the route quickly goes onto a pavement so it is very congested. Also what is the point of chip timing if only takes your finish time and does not register when you cross the start line?! Marshalling was excellent
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tangfastic
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Great undulating 10 miler with lovely countryside (and the M1)
In full: I didn't mind the chaotic start, but it was. As a slower runner I stood at the back (once I discovered where the back was). We had chips, but it was gun to chip and those of us the back were left saying "where's the start line" wondering when to press go on the stop watch.
Once we got over the first half a mile it was fantastic. Country lanes with very few cars. A big hill in the middle, and encouraging marshals.
The banana bread at the end was lovely too. I will be back- my 10 minute miles put me near the back of the field but hope to improve for next year!
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Popo
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Nice course, shame about the start.
In full: The start was chaotic, this was not helped by someone trying to drive through a few seconds before the race started. First few metres were on slippery, muddy grass at the side of the path as the path was too narrow for the large field of runners. Yes, the marshals were lovely but that's not really high on my list of priorities. Otherwise a well organised race and a nice course.
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: JerryB
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Badly organised start, but pleasant - if quite hilly - country lanes after the first half mile
In full: The start was badly organised, it was unclear where the start line was or even which direction we would be starting. The first 600m is along a narrow footpath / roadside verge and given the mixture of club and fun runners this made it very difficult to get going and I was forced to jog for the first half mile. After that the race is on pleasant country lanes with a few challenging hills. The event HQ was reasonably spacious with plentiful refreshments, although I thought that £1 for a cup of tea or coffee was a bit pricey. I also think that for a £15 entry fee (£13 for club runners) the organisers could have provided more than a medal.
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Breda Sullivan
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A challenging race due to the regular undulation but I was able to make it round my first 10 miler!
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Speed Bump
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised. The race is clearly a labour of love for the Striders. I salute you all.
In full: I have heard people complain about the start. Well, the organisers can't do much about the physical features and they do their best with what they've got. Runners themselves need to do the same.
A big problem was (some of) the runners themselves. Don't go to the front if you're not a sub 1 hour runner! One bloke who I saw at the front who started in front of me - I passed going the other way when I'd done 5 & he'd done just over 2 and I'm not sub 1 hour (sadly).
Some runners didn't listen to the marshals and this contributed more than anything to the 'chaos'. I suggest planting out posts with rough times for people to stand near and a plea to others - let the faster runners do their thing please! Stand near your time zone post and it will all go much smoother. Experienced runners should do this automatically, really.
There, I've said it.
The race was undulating and scenic. Marshals were as always, fabulous and the club had gone to lots of effort with the hot drinks and cakes at the race HQ. Clearly they work hard to make this race as fabulous to attend as they can.
Full marks to Hallam, the Race Director and his team. I recommend this race to all - a very fast front field and then a good mix throughout. Everybody I spoke to was pleased, as was I.
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Dean N
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great race
In full: As stated before start was a little chaotic , I am sure organisers could easily organise with a bit of tape and half a dozen pickets , overall I really enjoyed the race undulating, nothing too steep , friendly marshals, hardly saw any traffic , nice warm showers and great selection of cakes afterwards , would definitely do again , thanks to the club for putting on a good event.
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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