Events

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

In short: A race transformed by a new start procedure.
In full: What a difference from 2003 - the new colour coded start procedure made a huge difference. Predicted 1:50 on my entry and got a red number so I started in the first pen right behind the elites and celebs. Did 1:42:12 beating my 2003 time by 26 minutes mainly because you weren't continually tripping over slower runners and because there were plenty of runners going at similar speeds to pull you along.
I only did it again this year because I was working for the main sponsor - now I'd consider doing it again on my own.
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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

In short: What a vibe!!
In full: This was my first half-marathon and I absolutely loved it! How come the Red Arrows don't come out for my training runs?

I was a bit worried to start with that I hadn't done enough training but the atmosphere of the event and the pantomime camel that overtook me (lunatics!) spurred me on.

Definately going back next year.
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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

In short: As crowded as ever!
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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

In short: Fantastic atmosphere. A "must-do" half marathon
In full: This was my 2nd GNR and despite some minor gripes about being stuck quite a long way back behind some much slower runners at the start which meant a couple of miles of dodging walkers, I had a fantastic day. The atmosphere is fantastic and the support from the crowd and other runners kept me going. I managed to take 11 minutes off my 2005 time to get a pb of 1hr 50. I'll definitely be back in 2007.
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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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: Fabulous and much easier than I thought - I had trained on roads and up hills - worth the effort
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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

In short: More of a mass media sports event than a race
In full: I have run a few 1/2s some harder like Eyam, some fast like Wilmslow. I think this is a difficult run to get right, by the time you get to Gateshead track most people have run far to fast, then its 2 miles genuine up hill, so you get to 1/2 way with a good time. How many runners then completely blow? walkers everywhere after 10 miles. If next year is your debut train mainly cross country, flat 8 miles road jogs won't work.
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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

In short: Unless you start at the front make it an event not a race.
In full: I was impressed at the sheer numbers of people that were accommodated reasonably safely. This is an event for the fundraisers and I would bet that lots of money is raised for worthy causes. I could moan about the number of people stopping in the middle of the road, of waiting for the start, of waiting in traffic, etc. but I won't because I think I will have missed the point. Personally I had a poor run and felt terrible but that's not the fault of the wonderful people from the north-east.
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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

In short: It's the Great North for goodnes sake, if you want a PB come to Wilmslow !
In full: This was my 3rd time for the GNR, and inspite a PB for the course, I enjoyed this more than ever. Start was much improved, over the line in 3 minutes and up to pace straight away. Yes, there's too many runners to make it a "runners" race, but it's the atmosphere and variety that makes it. Supporters are great, fantastic support at the start and finish, despite bottle throwing scamps near the end....I've had beer bottles thrown at me on training runs !
It is a tough course, but it's the crown and other runners that lift you, but I wish they'd stop moving the 800m sign, it must have been 2 miles away from the finish the tim it took me to get to the end !!
Definately a worthwhile yearly pilgrimage up North, well done you Geordies and see you next year !
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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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		60%

In short: Great
In full: My 3rd half mararthon & 1st GNR & a PB
Date of review: October 5, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: love it
In full: A cracking day out, a lot more water about this year, the start seemed a bit better , but PLEASE STOP TELLING PEOPOLE ITS A FAST COURSE IT AINT, 1st timers need to be aware its a tough demanding course and not some fun run
Date of review: October 5, 2006

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