Events

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

In short: Smashing Half - wonderful scenery
In full: Injury last month forced me switch from full to half-marathon, which was fine although the three decents made my knee pain flare up quite badly.
Although the hard trail surface made for a speedier run, it's not the really off-road muddy trail sort of race I usually run (and love!).
Excellent organisation, lovely marshalls, beautiful finish, many thanks to Matlock AC, see you next year :D
Date of review: May 23, 2008

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

In short: Beautiful countryside. A long climb. Good atmosphere. An enjoyable Saturday morning run.
Date of review: May 22, 2008

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

In short: Fpr those of us who like nice scenery and small fields, this is the ideal marathon.
In full: But the downhill at the end is a bit of a sting in the tail: surprisingly hard on the legs.
Date of review: May 21, 2008

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In short: All uphill except one tiny and two big downs, far too late in the course. Not fun.
In full: Run the race backwards it would be much nicer. Would never do the full again but the half may not be too bad. I hate horses! some of them even gave me an inch to run on.
Date of review: May 21, 2008

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

In short: Small Field - Off Road - Nice course - Superb organisation
In full: ....and really friendly marshalls.
Unless this is the only marathon you ever do, it's not a pb course. There is too much gradual climbing to call it undulating, as the climb, although not steep, is unremitting.
Some of the longer straight sections can seem very prolonged, and the field spreads out pretty quickly.
So - if you like a solitary marathon on trails with not too much variance in the terrain (apart from the 3 descents at the end which are GLORIOUS!!!) then this really is a great race
The marshalls are among the best I've experienced, and as a small event, it is excellent.
Date of review: May 20, 2008

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

In short: Well-organised, pretty, but monotonous.
In full: I suppose the cold and dreary weather didn't help, and that's nobody's fault! This is a race I can imagine other people loving, and I know many do, and it deserves to prosper because it's so well-organised and friendly. But I've got a short attention-span, and spending 20 miles slogging along a white path in anticipation of three good downhill blasts at the end isn't my cuppatea. Had I been running on my own, I'd probably have quit at the second water-station through sheer boredom. If you want a small race that's better-organised than many big city events, this is for you :o)
Date of review: May 20, 2008

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

In short: My first marathon - a great experience
In full: There seemed to be more uphill than I expected and the last steep descent was hard on the knees, but the final stretch along the canal was a delight. Very friendly and well organised, and a PB as it was my first. It won't be my last.
Date of review: May 20, 2008

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

In short: Great run,small and beautiful
In full: Overall very good organisation,probably could do with a couple more people on the desk issuing your race numbers.run is very nice even in the showers,with pockets of supporters on the way.feeding stations organised and not crowded.well done Matlock AC. see you next year.
Date of review: May 20, 2008

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

In short: wonderful run through great scenery - but not easy
In full: excellently organised, well done matlock, a lovely run, but the long inclines can slow you up more than you think. Much harder than London!
Date of review: May 20, 2008

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

In short: Fantastic scenery and great organisation
In full: Fantastic scenery and great organisation led to my first time at this race being a truly memorable experience. The rain couldn't dampen anyone's spirits - runners and supporters alike. Great goody bag with mug, fruit, juice, biscuits. Results were posted very fast and showers hot! Can't fault
Date of review: May 19, 2008

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