Events

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: One of the toughest hill workouts you'll get in Kent.
In full: Phew! I completed my night shift and dashed down from Gravesend to get to the venue. Start time was incorrect online. Certainly a specialist event - mate of mine (Mike) dropped a trouser load when he saw the search and rescue units and the hills. 4 of us entered the 8.6 miler. The route is BRILL and in better weather it would have been stunning beyond words. Paths were slippy and the steps did the legs no favours. Weather was drizzle, wind was fresh. The hills really tested the quads and I took two days to recover enough to do a "recovery" run.
The ONLY issue I would have - and I am only bringing this up because it effected Mike (not me) was that at the crucial distance peal off points (8.6 - 14 - 20) there was a lack of communication. Mike found himself commited to the 14 mile event when he wasn't told where to peal off for the 8.6. In our worry for him, after we completed our distances, me and 2 other mates back tracked and encountered two other runners who had fallen foul of the same issue, discovered the error, and turned back to rejoin the 8.6 route. As it was, Mike (God bless him) continued on the 14 and eventually completed his greatest ever distance of 15.6.
My suggestion would be to have arrows made out of the highviz colours and attribute a different colour to each distance. This would enable runners to self navigate if they miss an instruction.
I was happy with the free BHF Benny hat and medal. The venue facilities were perfectly adequate. Could have had faster tea / food making (but this was an added luxuary anyhow. The marshals were great (good idea taking runners numbers down cos this helped us track where Mike was! and prevented corner cutting). Thanks go to S+R who helped locate Mike. The organisers were everso friendly and welcomming.
The S.E.S runners aim to be back next year to do the greater distances - Dave says he has to do the 20 because Mike has gone further than him now!
Boy - did I need my sleep after getting back home SO VERY LATE owing to Mikes error.
Date of review: March 9, 2012

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

In short: Extremely tough and more so in the rain
In full: Mostly off road and very tough. I did the 20 miles and was glad when it was over. It was very well organised with no problems at all. Small amount of runners so we were on our own a lot of the time. I would do it again, no problem. Parking, toilets all good. Well done for giving me confidence again.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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