Blackland Downs Challenge 7.25Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (24 votes). | 1 to 10 of 24 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 |
| The big picture (24 votes) | | Overall score | | 80% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 92% | | PB potential | | 47% | | Atmosphere | | 63% | | Organisation | | 70% | | Value | | 76% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 63% |
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2009 race reviewed by: Wench Elliott
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Lovely off roader with fantastic views.
In full: My first hilly race - I hurt afterwards and wasn't able to run every hill... this year, however next...
Put off at the start by many speedy club runners but the marshalls and organisers were very friendly.
Good charity race well worth doing - if you're in the area next year, get running.
Date of review: September 28, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Ian Diddams
| | 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: it just got better!
In full: everything i wrote a year ago, and more. Despite an overnight 3rd party hitch requiring a reversal of the normal route, the organisation and delivery was absolutely perfect. If anything the climb/outward leg was harder than last year's (but that's better!) and there were some top opportunities to really open up on the way back.
Its a really friendly race and so deserves a larger field - 100 would be easily accommodated. Loads of parking, showers etc.
the proceeds for this race go to charity too, so nobody's making a mint from it at all.
Really recommended... if you are reading this, thinking about running it in 2010 then its a no brainer - do it. And bring a friend - you will NOT be disappointed.
Date of review: September 27, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Rebecca Screech
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superb race, hilly with fab views. Loads of marshalls and signposts. Why so few competitors??
Date of review: September 27, 2009
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2008 race reviewed by: Simon Atkin
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Challenging hills, nice views
In full: Nice run in the country, mostly off-road, with a stiff climb in the first half. Mostly down from there. Nice venue, quiet small race.
Date of review: October 6, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ian Diddams
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Beautiful scenery, challenging climb and long downhill
In full: This race has suffered from a bit a poor rep maily due to its inaugral running 5 years ago when a 3rd party alteration to the route conditions left the organisers at a very late stage having to deal with it. Its a great shame, because it deserves a larger field - only 46 today though clashed with a couple of other local-ish races which didn;t help... having moved the date from late November due to inclement weather conditions in 2007 maybe putting future runners off. The organisers are rethinking next year's date to try and find one that doesn;t clash locally.
The course is beautiful, stunning even. Flat for a mile or so, then starts to climb gently for the next mile or so with a final quarter mile fairly steep. Then its downhill all the way home for the other 2/3rds of the race. Its road for that first mile or so, then onto farmland with a mixture of cement track, cinder and earth, until Blacklands Down is hit. Then its all fields/downland until the final mile or so back on road. Its a challenging enough route but the course record of 43:30 indicates its not a crippler ... and a novice runner like myself ran 99% of it.
Excellent changing and shower facilities although if 300 runners turned up they'd get cramped fairly quickly :-)
I couldn;t praise the race enough frankly - the marshalls were in all the right places, the painted arrows were clear and the organisation easy.
Do give this a go - it deserves a better rep and larger field.
Date of review: September 28, 2008
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2007 race reviewed by: steven williams 5
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: great, hard in bad weather but very invigorating
In full: Very challenging race, bitter cold when i ran, but very worthwhile. lovely scenery and fantastic views...the very reason we love this sport! Do it...you won't regret it for one second. if you liked cross country running at school...this is the one!
Date of review: December 5, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Millsyc
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A hard climb against harsh winds... but all smiles at the end!
In full: The climb to the top of the hill was very steep & not helped by big muddy puddles. Roaring gales didn't make life easy either & any times I was forced to walk as running against the head winds seemed pointless. However, the marshals were supportive & helpful, even though they had to stand for ages in the cold - especially the poor soul at the top next to the monument. It was my partner's first ever race.... he booked into the bath half marathon the next day... so a big thank you... he's hooked!!!
Date of review: November 19, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: david wright 8
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great fun despite the wild weather
In full: The gentle ascent on the roads to start was a good warm up for the tougher parts to come.
Atrocious weather made life hard for the marshals but they seemed to be in all the right places and still cheerful.
Date of review: November 19, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Rach E
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough but satisfying!
In full: Found out about this at the last minute and was pleased I did. An incredibly tough course with a huge climb up to Lansdowne Monument made all the more difficult by driving, freezing rain and gales. I couldn't feel my hands or feet by the fourth mile so all credit to the marshalls who must have been a darn sight colder than me! Well marshalled, a medal memento (for those who like that kind of thing). Not a race for trophy seekers but a highly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning. One slight improvement would be if we could use the facilities at the leisure centre next year.
Date of review: November 19, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Alfie
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Welcome to winter running!
In full: Tough off-road race on an extremely cold and wet day with all the climbing against the elements. Excellent marshalling in the conditions.
Date of review: November 19, 2007
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