Events

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

In short: The London Marathon warm up
In full: It what were challenging conditions to say the least a good and well organised race. This is not a distance you would normally run unless training for London so approached it with an open mind as PB's do not come into the equation. The course is an honest undulating one some slopes but no real monster hills. Very impressed with chip timing especially for a small race some other races should take note. Happy marshalls especially given the terrible weather and a good number of cyclists giving words of encouragement. Some feedback would be perhaps some better changing facilities but most of all bottles of water. Have you ever tried to open and consume a gel whilst holding a cup? near impossible.
Date of review: March 12, 2007

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

In short: Good race, well organised, very encouraging cheerful marshalls in horrible weather. Would def prefer to pay extra £1 for something other than water, for a race this long def needed.
Date of review: March 10, 2007

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

In short: Good route, ghastly weather!
In full: As plenty of others have said, heartfelt thanks to the marshals - they were still smiling as the rain lashed down and the wind howled round them. Finish is certainly a bit understated but good race overall. Will do it next year when surely the weather can't be as bad?
Date of review: March 7, 2007

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

In short: Wet, Windy & Worth it
In full: My first 20 miler (First of anything over 14) Well supported out on the course despite the "adverse" weather. Thanks must go to all the marshalls for their considerable time spent out on the course. OK there is a walk back to HQ but this was well advised in advance & with reasons that were out of the organiseres hands. Back next year
Date of review: March 7, 2007

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

In short: How on Earth did the winner break the course record in those conditions?
In full: As everyone else has said: thanks must go to the marshalls for their sterling efforts in the horrible conditions.

My first 20 mile race, more undulating than I was expecting but nothing too bad... I actually enjoyed it.

I thought that, given the conditions (torrential rain beforehand forcing closure of the main car park and then the rain on the day forcing everyone inside the tiny hall) the organisers did a great job. With regard to the walk back from the finish, we were warned about it on the joining instructions and there's not a lot they can really do about it. Perhaps, given the conditions, a warm drink at the finish would have been a nice touch, but that would have been a tough thing to arrange at short notice.

There was no queue for the portaloos (undoubtedly due to the rain) - and amazingly no queue for a massage afterwards (thanks very much to the masseuses for ensuring I could walk the next day!).

A good t-shirt and cakes at the end.

All in all - a great race, deliberately well placed to catch the FLM crowd, it even fit perfectly into my schedule for the Bungay Black Dog Marathon.

Thanks to Gloucester A.C. and all their helpers!
Date of review: March 6, 2007

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

In short: Awful weather - many thanks to marshalls
In full: Rain and gales, my first 20 miler, scenery would have been great on a sunny day
Date of review: March 6, 2007

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

In short: Medals reqd for marshals
In full: Longest race for me to date.The driving rain and gales at 9 miles out made me think twice about doing the second lap of the "grandfather clock" shaped course.Glad I decided to tough it out,special thanx to brave marshals who had to stand about in awful conditions "thank you very much"
Date of review: March 5, 2007

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

In short: A tough day in the world of running!
In full: Perfect for April marathon training. A good course with a few hills in places to test you. Obviously PB's were very tough given the horrid weather we all had to endure. Fair play to all the marshals stood out in the rain and wind for 4 hours +, and it all seemed very well organised to me as well. Good value for money I thought, but I would sooner pay a little extra and have sports drinks throughout the race (I've not quite got the hang of these plastic cups whilst running) and at the finish. Plus a space blanket for the long walk back to the race HQ would be nice. Overall many thanks to Gloucester AC.
Date of review: March 5, 2007

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

In short: Great race to prepare for London, organisation could be a lot better
In full: Really enjoyed this event, despite horrendous weather conditions (rain not so bad, but wind really didn't help).

Lovely scenery out in the countryside, and a really friendly bunch of runners.

Unfortunately the organisation left a lot to be desired and if this is improved this could be an excellent race. Having to walk a mile after the finish to get back to the race HQ was really not funny, especially when it is raining and you are cramping up like I was. Also the race HQ was chaotic, not enough space for so many runners, but to be fair this was due to everyone cramming inside to keep dry and warm.

Well worth turning up for though, a real confidence-booster 7 weeks before London and a good t-shirt to show for my efforts. Will do it next year irrespective of whether I am preparing for London or not.
Date of review: March 5, 2007

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

In short: Good fun in atrocious conditions
In full: Very well organised and marshalled in atrocious conditions. Hats off to the marshals who were out there for hours. I felt the hills were quite harsh and strength sapping especially with the winds.
Great preparation for a marathon
Date of review: March 5, 2007

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