Fairlands Valley Challenge Multi-Terrain Marathon (Now Incorporating UK Trail Running Championships)  Here's how RW members rated this race (110 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Blobsie
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Super scenic non stressful outing
In full: After a while I found myself alone and I needed the course directions - they were excellent. A brilliant morning out
Date of review: July 20, 2008
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2007 race reviewed by: LHWMG
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised, a clear route description and a B-B-Q at the finish
Date of review: December 16, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: GiGee
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: As always - well organised - great marshalls -and the BBQ at the finish
Date of review: September 22, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Gremlin355
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great event - fantastic marshalls - especially at 20 miles where 100marathon guy talked into eating/drinking and then to take on the last 10k to complete this marathon - saw him at the B=b=q at the finish(included in the entry fee)
Date of review: August 24, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Cameron Ross
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Don't aim for a PB, and enjoy the scenery and bread pudding
In full: Lots of people have commented about the bread pudding. It was fabulous, and a novel and brilliant way of adding a special touch to this excellent run. It was a shame, initially, to arrive at the first checkpoint and have to queue for 5 minutes to have my card punched. Kinda breaks the stride, but after the second check, I had realised that this was the norm, and relaxed into it and the drinks/pudding. Apart from the first and last 15 minutes running through the suburbs of Stevenage, the scenery on this run is terrific. Rolling countryside, fields, forest, undulating, beautiful. I like the fact that you have a small-but-non-zero chance of getting lost - and I did for 3 minutes - but since the majority of people don't read the notes themselves, you have a fair chance of getting others lost with you :-) Thanks to the organisers - this is a great race. (Actually, I guess I have one _minor_ niggle: I want a FINISH LINE! To arrive back at the Scout hut after running for 4+ hours and not know where the event actually finishes (inside, it appears).... well... would it be too hard to have somebody clocking your time at the finish?)
Date of review: August 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Final Mile
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superb event - much more fun than a road race
In full: I was part of a 5 man team that completed the 18m challenge. I was impressed by the well planned and interesting route, friendliness of the organisers, runners and helpers and the superb refreshments and BBQ at the finish. This is without doubt one of the best runs around, and the cross country scenery makes it far more interesting than a 'standard' road race. Well done and thanks to all for making this a great day out!
Date of review: August 6, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: No Blue Legs!
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Brilliant once again
In full: Thanks to Roger and other organisers for a great day out. Great atmosphere and great company along the route. See you next year.
Date of review: July 29, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Brian Anley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: slowest ever time but who cares when it was such a hoot
In full: For once we had a day when the sun shone so how could anything go wrong. Organisation was good everyone was very friendly and even getting lost and doing about 3 miles further could not detract from my enthusiasm for this event. Each checkpoint was like a picnic with drinks biscuits and the legendary bread pudding which was worth the entry fee alone. Even better was the finish with a medal followed by copious amounts of tea and barbequed foods. Thank you Fairlands Valley Spartans see you same time next year
Date of review: July 27, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Ashley Banyard
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyed the race. Worth it for the Bread pudding alone!!
In full: Really enjoyed the race. Wasnt impressed with the tour of the local housing estate over the first mile or so but the course soon moved out into well farmed fields. Navigation was a bit tricky in places especially trying to run and read. Enjoyed it as my first marathon though. Will do it again next year.
Date of review: July 25, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Steve J
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent race and very friendly marshalls
In full: Throughly enjoyed first effort at this event and well worth the trip from S. Wales. Many thanks to all at FVS who organise this event - whoever mapped this route over that sort of terrain to make it a marathon deserves some well earned praise. Probably be back for another go next year - thanks again
Date of review: July 25, 2007
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