Events

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

In short: Stunning - a race that everybody should do at least once
In full: Where to start?

First running of this as a full half marathon - some teething troubles with the new organisers but nothing significant to complain about and they definitely seem a group ready to learn lessons.

Value wise - its a bit steep but then its run by a charity who make no bones about the fact that they are including a donation in the entry fee.

Now - the run itself. Morecambe Bay is a fabulous if somewhat surreal place. To find yourself out in literally the middle of nowhere simply following a long line of other runners is a unique experience. The organisers did a superb job of getting water stations out onto the Bay and did we need them!! This was run on one of the hottest days of the year so there was no chance of really quick times even without the demanding surface and the need to wade through the Kent channel (up to about two to three feet deep, flowing strongly and several tens of yards across).

In terms of atmosphere, the whole thing was brilliant - from the chat in the queue for registration to the bus ride around to the start right through the race (including the false start) onto the finishing area. It was clear from arrival that people were treating this as a unique challenge rather than a serious 'race' - quite rightly so in my opinion.

Only gripe - does it need to be a half marathon? Not sure that the short stretch on the roads at the start added anything. For the chance to run in such a wonderful place, who cares how far it is?
Date of review: July 5, 2006

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

In short: Gruelling, but great
In full: Unique event which was really well organised, but the heat did it for me, i can't say i enjoyed myself, but the potential was there without the record breaking temperatures. I may go back next year and hope for a few clouds.
Date of review: July 4, 2006

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In short: I've never felt getting to the finish was such an achievement before
In full: The only word I could use to describe that race was HOT. I'm not really a warm weather person at all so was completely gone after about 4 miles - I never realised you could get tempatures that warm in this country.

Due to the onset of heat exhaustion and dehydration I was never going to overly enjoy the race, but have no doubt if it was a lot cooler I would have absolutely loved it.

The promise of water every two miles, only to find a long strech without any was very demoralising for me - especially as I got to a point where I expected there to be some, and could see about a mile or two down the course and knew there was none about.

And that Kent Estuary was a bit too strong for my tired legs - it was a struggle to stay upright yet alone get from one side to another.

If its a sceneric event which is a challenge you want, this is certainly the event for you. Would have been very enjoyable in the right circumstances, but those weather conditions were not right for me - it was more like a desert than a coastal run.

Still, managed to get a really good tan and the dehydration meant I lost a well-needed half a stone - I think next year I might treat the event as a beauty spa rather than a race.
Date of review: July 4, 2006

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

In short: An extraordinary event - great challenge!
In full: This was a great race - and a fab bunch of people to run with as there was plenty of comeraderie out on the sands. The organisers did a fantastic job under very challenging conditions - getting water stations out onto the sand once the tide had gone out but before the runners came by, and the support at the end was great. I thoroughly enjoyed this race and will definitely be back to do this next year...lets hope for a bit of cloud cover though (and I'll be doing more practise in the midday sun next year too!).
Thanks everyone for making it a great event.
Date of review: July 4, 2006

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

In short: A fantastic way to cross the bay. A unique and well organised race, the river crossings and scenery make this one to return to.
Date of review: July 3, 2006

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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: Thank god it is only once a year
In full: A great race, well organised and plenty of water stations.Really tough going underfoot at times and the heat didn't help, but I would recommend this race to anybody. Really upbeat and friendly atmosphere. 5 Stars
Date of review: July 3, 2006

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

In short: 'Ard but good
In full: Can't be many races quite like this one. It's an extraordinary sensation running over vast acres of waterlogged estuarine sand with the surrounding coastline just hazy distant shapes. Not for every week but I'll be back next year for sure.
Date of review: July 3, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: What a great experience! very hot day though so thankful for the water stations!
Date of review: July 3, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: like running in an oven!
In full: Tough but different. A lot of running in water/very rippled sand, and the Kent crossing was interesting. Fantastic marshals and great water provision, except for one stretch near the Kent crossing.
Date of review: July 2, 2006

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

In short: Surreal surronding - Magnificent
In full: Loved this race even though it is very tough. The bit after the Kent River crossing was great; many square miles of 3 inch deep water and it looked like we were all running across the surface of the sea.

If you like quirky races then this is a must.

Very well organised.
Date of review: July 2, 2006

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