Events

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

In short: Overall good race. WIll do again. Sort out the water station though. It was useless.
In full: Good race with PB potential. Couple of bumps at 7 and 8k on the bridges crossing the motorway below. Bottleneck at the finish was a problem but I was told it was because somebody had collapsed in the line. Can't blame the organisers for that!! It was blooming hot though. Could a cooler day be arranged next year please!! An earlier start than 10.30 for a race in August might not be a bad idea. Biggest problem was the water station. Wouldn't normally bother with water for a 10k but it was very hot. Picked up a cup off the table and it was empty. Found they were all like that and was then told to hold on while they pour me one! Complete farce!! That needs sorting for next year. Other people were complaining of the same afterwards.
Date of review: September 12, 2005

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

In short: very good set up. Was my first race and enjoyed the experience, will do again no doubt.
Date of review: August 28, 2005

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

In short: couple of small "bumps" otherwise a fast course
Date of review: August 24, 2005

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

In short: Good flat race, nice finish and towel.
In full: Problems at the finish, however well worth doing. A big field, 939 finishers, makes it a good race for every level. Will do it next year and i'm sure the slight problems will be sorted out.
Date of review: August 24, 2005

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

In short: hot but fast
In full: A good, flat course well marshalled, spoiled only by the bottleneck at the end. This needs to be addressed!
Date of review: August 24, 2005

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

In short: The finish and the weather weren't ideal, but generally a lovely race
In full: The first half was very boring, but helpfully flat, and I loved the latter part of the course (my friend said she felt the hills helped break it up !), especially the 200 and 400m markers. It was bad having to wait so long for a drink after finishing, but I got a PB in spite of the heat and the late hills, and will definitely return.
Date of review: August 23, 2005

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

In short: Very well organised, great finish straight. The second time I've done Birchwood and I still like it.
Date of review: August 23, 2005

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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		80%

In short: Good location and facilities. Enthusiastic marshalls. Enjoyable run.
In full: Good location for start with plenty of parking and a cafe for the family to go to while they waited for me to return. Course was on mostly quiet roads and for the most part flat, just a couple of hills near the end. Didn't stop for water as there was a queue and had to stand in line for about 1 minute at the end before I crossed the line. My official time was way over what I clocked on my watch.
Overall, really enjoyed it. Only my second 10K and I got a PB.
Date of review: August 22, 2005

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

In short: Good course, piss poor organosation
In full: Potential for an excellent event but need to sort out signage; what/where is the silver birch, where is the start/finish, where are the showers. Multiple funnels are a great way to speed up the finish if you have sufficient marshalls to cover them all. No good having one set moving from funnel to funnel and the last thing runners want to do once they have finished is "move down". More water would have been helpful or to be more precise more cup fillers at the finish. Sorry if this sounds very negative but the potential is so good it would be a shame to waste what is a really good fast race. I WILL BE BACK next year
Date of review: August 22, 2005

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

In short: Not as flat as promised overall good atmosphere and enjoyable
In full: Unusual to queue at the finish line while baking in the sun and being desperate for a pee. But I didn't care as I got the PB!
Date of review: August 22, 2005

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