Doyen of the Downs 30Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (37 votes). | 1 to 10 of 37 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
| The big picture (37 votes) | | Overall score | | 89% | | How many would do it again? | | 82% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 93% | | PB potential | | 38% | | Atmosphere | | 82% | | Organisation | | 78% | | Value | | 63% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 59% |
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2009 race reviewed by: jennifer Norwood
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
In short: Fab muddy race!!!!
In full: What a day, loved every min even the hour of rain at the start that i thought would never let up - but it did!!!! Really enjoyed the knee deep mud!!! The miles flew by as I enjoyed the beautiful views of the countryside. Everyone was friendly and encouraging, well organised. I loved my bananas at the check points. The shower at the end was a + point after all that mud!!! Thanks everyone.
Date of review: June 8, 2010
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2009 race reviewed by: Mr. K.
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice countryside run with lots of mud
In full: A nice route around Arundel, along the river and into the countryside. I thought it was well marked with some nice view points along the way. Water stations were welcoming. More than likely I`ll be back for some more in years to come. Good one - thanks.
Date of review: December 11, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mr Guy
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great event
In full: One of the toughest races I have done. As everybody has said it was muddy very muddy. Some nasty hills thrown in too but all in all very rewarding, I am still smiling about it now. The rout was varied terrain through some beautiful country side, the views from the top of the big hill at about mile 20 almost made it worth while climbing up there!
The organisation was ok, no issues came up would have preferred a medal to a shot glass but not everybody likes medals.
One of the best I’ve done.
Date of review: December 10, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Shimmy shimmy
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Very hard but good fun
In full: Very hard course, very deep mud.
My only gripe is that the feed stations were very lacking especially for a race that cost so much. Only bananas and water and no food at the end. They could take note from the LDWA events and Beachy Head mara
Date of review: December 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: marathon plodder
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Did anyone mention the mud?
In full: Not sure if it's already been mentioned, but it was a bit muddy!
However many types of mud you think there are, double it. The will to live disappeared at the ploughed field.
The atmosphere was really great, lots of support from the other runners and a special thanks to the teams at the check points, very friendly and encouraging.
Only two gripes, can we have some food at the end next year, and PLEASE open the five barred gate after the finish!!!!!!!
Date of review: December 8, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Possum hopper
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: First marathon I've ever done when I couldn't decide to be sick or go to the loo !!
In full: This was my first ultra. I'm local and know parts of the route...that helped as was able to visualise where I was. Was expecting mud, but boy, NOT like that !! It was incredible. I won't go on about the mud as we all saw it. What I took away from the day was the amazing friendliness of the other runners..being one of the few women the blokes were just great and supportive. Ran a long way near another woman runner from Salisbury - thx to her because she was brilliant. One of the hardest things I have EVER done and I have had 2 children !! Lovely people at the checkpoints - very friendly and chatty - thanks to them. A fantastic day out but not sure I would do another ultra that time of year....or maybe give me a few weeks and I might change my mind ! Was looking to complete in 5.30 and was only 10 mins out so can live with that. Fantastic, tough, friendly, uplifting event. Wanted a medal though !!
Date of review: December 8, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jerry-
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: BRILLIANT!
In full: This was my second year and I can honestly say that this challenge has all the potential of being a classic. Last year it was ice but this year it was mud, mud, glorious mud.
The organisers did a fantastic job with some great marshalls and checkpoints....see you next year.
Date of review: December 8, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mike Hawes
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very tough , very muddy and tiring
In full: How different from last year - muddy and exhausting rather than iced solid and exhilarating!
Toughest race I've ever done. last year it was my best ever - this year it was my worst , Such are Ultras!
Date of review: December 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Ivan lyons
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Mud mud glorious mud!
In full: 25 marathons run, so it was time to step up for my first ultra. The Beachy Head marathon in Oct really helped as a training run! The Doyen was a lot flatter than I envisaged & there was only one big hill, which for a 30 mile xc race was amazing. The downside of course was all the mud but was enjoyable, as for once I treated the day as an event rather than a race.
The signage & directions were perfect and the 5 drink stations at equal regular distances during the course. Just serving water was too frugal. Surely some squash could have been provided & food was poor. Organisers please take notes as to what other marathons provide.
The style at the end was cruel, however I preferred the shot glass to a medal. May I suggest next year finishers are given the choice of either? Another identical shot glass would not be appreciated by some.
Thanks for the shower. Some food was needed at the end even if the cost was extra.
Date of review: December 7, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: MickeyG
| | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: rain for the 1st couple of hours but a fantastic route, if very muddy, slippery, wet and rugged. scenery turned out lovely even with the route change due to flooding. the hardest race i have done, but a great challenge.
Date of review: December 7, 2009
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