Events

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

In short: Pain
In full: This marked a turning point in my running, and I'm surprised I didn't leave a comment at the time. The big hill at the start, combined with the cold, and perhaps running too fast and hard at the start, and maybe doing too much during 2008 meant my knees gave up on me, and I was walking almost as much as running. Marshalling was thin at one point and I went off track. A local noticed and pointed me toward the coast. I cut back to the course which at that point was doing an out and back section and found myself on the return section, having walked over the out section. At that point my resolve gave out, and I couldn't face going back to find the out course and my knees by now made running too painful, so I hobbled along the cold, windy shingle beach to the finish. Marshals noticed I was cold and gave me space blankets to keep me warm, and checked that I was OK to carry on. This happened four times, so I was wrapped in four blankets and hobbling along until I saw the finish line - I then removed all the blankets, straightened up, put a grin on my face, and ran over the finish line. I was proud of myself for having finished (albeit a couple of miles short of a marathon), but the memory of the pain kept me away from long distance runs until this year.
Date of review: March 20, 2011

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

In short: made all those long early morning runs worth it, thanks for a great day
Date of review: July 8, 2009

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

In short: If only the wheels hadn't come off .........................
In full: What I mean is - I pulled up hobbling and injured at Sidley (mile 16) and had to be attended to by the Red Cross. They iced my foot and I attempted to run again but had to stop after a further 200 metres or so.

Went to the doc the following day. The outcome? Plantar Fasciitis. No more running for the next four weeks so that put paid to any Christmas athletic activities. Was on painkillers too. Apart from the upsetting outcome, the build up to the day and the day itself was excellent. The usual high standards we have come to expect from Lord Eric MBE (!) and the Lions Club of Hastings. Thanks also to Hastings Borough Council for the use of the Town Hall. A hilly, challenging course but what else do you expect from this neck of the woods? Thanks to Eric for sending me a Horse Brass Memento, which I was able to accept, having got over the upset. It's on display in my lounge.

Could we try it again, especially for us injured runners, so we can try and complete it? I would want to try again. How say you Eric?
Date of review: March 14, 2009

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

In short: A challenging hilly course. Splendid views through the early morning mist. Bracing temperatures and a stiff sea breeze to finish. Atmosphere most entertaing given the centenial celebrations and the 'days of old' atmosphere of the start.
Date of review: February 5, 2009

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

In short: Top class, one off event. Well done to all involved in making it happen.
In full: I can say, "I ran that". Wonderful event. It was cold but it was December! Course was hilly but not that bad. Shingle section was interesting at the end. Pity this was a one off but it takes a lot of effort to get this up and running! Eric Hardwick for a knighthood perhaps?
Date of review: December 31, 2008

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

In short: Lovely for me as a newbie if I could finish in a ok ish time think what a flat one could be like
Date of review: December 20, 2008

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

In short: Great day out, can we do it again?
In full: Terific organisation and support, a faster course than it looked on paper, very enjoyable and the weather was ideal. This would be a good addition to the calendar. Thanks to all involved.
Date of review: December 18, 2008

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

In short: An amazing once-in-a-lifetime event that I feel privileged to have been part of, especially as I live a quarter of a mile from the 20 mile point. Tremendously well organised by Eric Hardwick MBE and his team of what seemed like hundreds.
In full: Tremendously well organised by Eric Hardwick MBE and his team of what seemed like hundreds. A tough course with lots of hills and a mile and a half section on shingle beach, but I still managed to get home in my target time of under 4 hours, despite going off too fast for the hilly course and hitting the wall at 20 miles. Would love to do it again, but somehow don't think I'll be around for the next running in 2108!
Date of review: December 18, 2008

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

In short: A very memorable race, one that I thorougly enjoyed even tho' it was my first marathon.
In full: The whole day was incredible. The atmosphere was brilliant and the support from the crowds around the course was very welcome esp. the squadies at mile 24 who shouted great encouragement - I really needed it after the hard shingle (knee nearly gave out but I was determined to finish) and a special mention to my wonderful husband who popped up at different points throughout the race to urge me on. Fantastic time (3:33:51) for my first ever marathon. A big thankyou to Eric and all his helpers for putting on such a memorable event.
Date of review: December 18, 2008

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

In short: Brilliant day, loads of cheerful marshalls, great support and a lovely momento.
Date of review: December 17, 2008

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