Puma HellRunner 11Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (465 votes). | The big picture (465 votes) | | Overall score | | 90% | | How many would do it again? | | 93% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 88% | | PB potential | | 35% | | Atmosphere | | 86% | | Organisation | | 70% | | Value | | 73% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 63% |
|
|
2011 race reviewed by: mark clawson
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: hell just keeps getting better
In full: Back for my 4th hellrunner ! clear sky, sun shining what a difference to last years freezing conditions ! love this race it has everything and a bit more it is one of races i most look forward to.
great course, great organisation, what i really like about this race is that the organisers actually listen to what the runners want, i remember a few years ago that on my race review i moaned that parking was a nightmare and how it was a free for all at the end to get out, the race organiser took the time to phone me and apologise and asked for my suggestions ( how often does that happen ) the following year a company was broght in to manage the parking.
again me and many others have said on our race reviews that a naf cotton t-shirt was not good enough after surviving hell ! again they listened and this year we got a lovely technical t-shirt and a fantastic medal.
well done to everyone involved with hellrunner i cant wait for hell again next year :)
Date of review: December 5, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: BigShanky
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent Fun!
In full: My first ever race after getting in to running in a big way but was very worried that I would be crawling across the line in last place, there seemed to be a great mix of people. Atmosphere was very good and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Only real gripe is that people were walking on the hills so it created bottle necks and was hard to get by. I hear that other years had been tougher but this seemed to be tough enough, would definitely do it again and would welcome a tougher and colder race!! Getting clean from the mud was a BIG challenge.
Date of review: November 30, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Claire Campbell 6
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A fun and muddy day out!
In full: I did this race last year in the sub-zero conditions and didn't enjoy it. However, with the sun out this year, more muddy sections in the first half (the tracks were frozen solid last year!), a much better lay-out to the start and finish areas and people generally in a much more convivial mood I really enjoyed this years event!
It's still a tough race and if you don't enjoy getting VERY muddy then don't consider it, but it's a good place to start if you are considering other events of this nature. On the practical side the signage of the course was good but I had concerns again this year at the lack of first aid available, although I only saw one person in difficulty so hopefully there were no problems. As others have mentioned it took ages to get out of the car park and onto the road but traffic was being well controlled. Goody bag was pretty good and included a nice medal and technical tee. I will probably be back for more next year!
Date of review: November 30, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Henstooth
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: 2010 was "The Hardest Ever" 'cos of the weather, 2011 was shorter and easier.
In full: After last year, I suppose there wasn't the "surprise or shock factor", and as the weather was pleasant this time, there wasn't so much of a challenge. My Garmin measured it shorter too and the bog of doom was somewhat shallower. Bottlenecks were inevitable. Aside of this I will certainly rate the organisation and atmosphere as FANTASTIC. The marshals / cadets were full of support and the supporters were full of cheer.
I decided to do it in a lime green mankini, to up my own personal challenge - it got plenty of reaction (and a few slaps! You know who you are). All I could hear behind me was "Oh God - I gota get past him".
Parking was very good, however, getting away was slow. If we were to do it again, we'd bring a BBQ and do a cook up in the carpark whilst everybody else waits to leave. Perhaps we'll do Hell In The Middle for a change.
The best thing was a quality medal and T-shirt at the end. Happy with the goodie bag as well. Thanks to everyone involved. I am still applying the chafing cream!
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: running-man-dan
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: this is a must
In full: wow what a race, we got there sunday and it was high winds and rain , but soon to see the clear skies opened, parking was very muddy so 4x4 is a good idea, the bogs of doom were freezing and were like soup, they dont come till about 6 miles in , the hils are mental more like a crawl not a climb, sand dunes, its all there, busy bottle necks at places and a bit of queing for bogs but if you want a free run go upthe front great organization and a very good goodie bag , medal and tshirt and other bits, great getting out the carpark very organized, the marshalls tell a few white lies how far left but its all in the day i suppose, bring on next year.
one slight moan the bacon and sausage rolls were disgusting sorry guys !
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: twiglet_legs
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A bit tamer than expected but still great
In full: The big hills were grim but the rest was......fine. Not quite as hard core as I expected but great fun, a smashing atmosphere and great organisation. Could do with more girls loos but there were plenty of bushes and if Paula can do it then so can I. An inch of ice on the bog of doom and at least another foot of water would have been nice (they got it last year apparently)and perhaps slightly wider trails so that those that wanted to run the hills could rather than being caught behind walkers. Nice Brooks t-shirt and generous goody bag too. Will certainly do it again.
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: MikeF
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good Muddy Fun
In full: Lures you into a false sense of security with a couple of miles of easy running at the start. Then the hills get progressively bigger all the way to the end, and the bogs and sand don't make it any easier!
My first Hell Down South was far muddier and wetter than hell in the middle, but less hilly - you don't get the "free" miles at the start in hell in the middle. Apparently less muddy than other years, but still muddy enough, and I don't think the organisers can schedule rain.
There are a few bottlenecks with people walking up some of the hills, but if you're fit enough to be running up the steep hills, you shouldn't be behind walkers by the time you get to them. It wasn't a problem for me.
If you want a challenge and a laugh with mates, this is awesome!
Date of review: November 28, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: carmen Somerset
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hellrunner has gone soft, shorter, easier, more Helwalk than run.
In full: good fun, but shorter than 10miles (disappointing seeing it's advertised as 11ish). Water levels in bogs are lower than previous years. Too many bottle necks with so many runners doing it, you have no option but to walk. Good one to do if you want to dip your toe into something different and is challenge but if you're looking for a tougher challenge look elsewhere. Can't fault the organisers all great.
BUT Man Up Hellrunner... It's meant to be HELL!
Date of review: November 27, 2011
|
2010 race reviewed by: Piehead
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A great run but shorter and not as challenging as previous years. Worth doing though.
Date of review: January 3, 2011
|
2010 race reviewed by: Daniel Ramm
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Created the biggest smile to pain ratio I've had in a long time.
Date of review: December 9, 2010
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
