Events

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

In short: Miserable weather and an equally miserable race director
In full: It would have been nice to have been welcomed to the race and thanked for the support rather than craning your neck trying to hear the blunt announcements made at the start. Some info sent with the race number would have been helpful (even the baggage tag was small!). Mile markers were all over the shop and the race was most definately not 20 miles. As for the finish line - Wow! Could it have been any less dramatic?! Gloucester AC you are better than this and I can only assume that one or two local individuals had made this a headache for the organisers. The support from the runners was there and this could easily be so much better - don't let the ba**ards grind you down! The heavy police prescence was enough to make anybody sweat! Thought we had become a terrorist target! Great weather though...
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: not like I thought it would be
In full: A very disappointing race from the start first the lecture from race director about not running three a breast or you would get a warning then disqualified. This could not be helped at times, I know it was a wet, windy day but the marshalls were not very happy not a lot of encouragment going on, quite spread out as well. Mile markers were two close for the first few miles not good for pacing then they evened up only to be two far apart for the last 5 miles or so, was over 20 miles and were was the finish sign just a twenty mile sign. Walk back to collect t-shirt from social club about a mile away which was also about 1 1/2 miles from the car park. What was the point of that. Overall quiet disappointed.
Date of review: March 9, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Suprisingly disappointing.
In full: I was very much anticipating this race having run it once before and seemingly having an enjoyable experience. The weather was pretty unforgiving but realistically judging other people's experiences in other parts of the country yesterday one can't complain.
The main issue for myself has to be the fact that the race was over the twenty miles and was not a true reflection on the time acheived. From the start it felt ominous that a couple of mins into the run we appeared to be running past the old start and finishing in the same place. Hard going and extremely disappointing after 20 miles to not acheive a true PB.

Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: Some issues but good course & runners
In full: Not a great start receiving a number through the post which didn't have anything with it to say what race it was for. I had to look up a number of race websites to check the sponsor!

Weather was rubbish but the course was pretty favourable. The other runners were all friendly and many conversations were had throughout - but with the field stringing out at the end it felt a little lonely.

I made the course 20.25 miles and had issues with the mile markers all the way round (some early some late).

Strange T-shirt (are those pigs on it?) but better than a cheap medal.

Overall, I think this is better than running that distance on your own, but not really a great "event" feel. One to do for the locals.
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: Great pre marathon training run made even harder by awful weather condititons
In full: I can only concur with the thoughts of others regarding teething problems which should not occur in a race of this stature and I am sure the organisers could learn a lot from the comments, that is assuming the locals allow the race to go ahead next year.

I made the course 20.3 miles which suggests we could have maybe started on the road instead of the field although no doubt this would have upset the residents even more!!

That being said it was a great course and, desite the conditions, was an enjoyable run. My only real gripe was the lack of showers which were much needed.

I would also like to thank the marshalls who braved the weather. I have no doubt they were a lot colder than I was by the end!
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: My first 20 miler
In full: This was my first ever 20 miler so I was very nervous. Understand there had been a lot of complaints from locals about runners so main emphasis of the race was on making sure we didn't upset them. We were under watchful eye of police and marshalls with shouts of 'get left' rather than any words of encouragement. No obvious sign exactly where the finish was however the runners themselves were fantastic in what was horrible weather.
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: Excellent marathon warm-up. Pity about the weather..
In full: Thought it was well organised with the exception of the need for a better megaphone at the start and a shorter walk back to the HQ and carpark at end. Weather made it a very tough 20 (especially if it was 20.3 as others have reported!)
Date of review: March 9, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Fast course, tough conditions, mediocre organisation.
In full: This is a fast course in a pleasant part of the country, consisting of 3.5m out, twice round a 6.5m loop, same 3.5m back. Enough water stations, although personally I'd pay extra for bottles rather than cups.

Quality of organisation wasn't great, starting with numbers not indicating the race to which they related, followed by lots of queueing on the day, plus long walks in cold winds between finish, HQ and carpark. Marshalls were friendly and encouraging, with one obvious exception, despite the weather.

A well-timed event in terms of marathon preparation, so doubless there will another 400+ field there next year; assuming local residents don't get up a petition to ban it!
Date of review: March 9, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Nice route and solidly organised. I'll be back.
Date of review: March 9, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Organisation not as good as in previous years, but thanlks
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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