Spires & Steeples Challenge 26  Here's how RW members rated this race (36 votes). | 1 to 10 of 36 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
| The big picture (36 votes) | | Overall score | | 93% | | How many would do it again? | | 97% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 91% | | PB potential | | 68% | | Atmosphere | | 86% | | Organisation | | 87% | | Value | | 95% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 84% |
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2012 race reviewed by: wolves1877
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Improvement needed
In full: I did the half version (13.1). This race has great potential. Firstly the gripes I know this was a trail race but I think one of the fields had been freshly ploughed, nice farmer! (this may require more interaction with farmers). Secondly there were not enough marshalls by half at one point having lost sight of the people in front of me a spectator had to give me directions and I'm not the only one, less marshalls at water stations and more on the course would be better. Thirdly the cost of the coach was a bit excessive £4 for a 10 minute journey. On the plus side I got a medal, technical t-shirt and certifecate. The water supplied was in bottles a real bonus. Good bag drop and friendly people.
One question why the concillor who was oblivious that some people were running the course.
A race with great potential which could be reached with the help of local running clubs.
Date of review: October 26, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jon Hobbs
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Once again a great event
In full: Another lovely run. I did the half this year (13.3 by Garmin!), and it was a really nice route, well signposted and marshalled. This event has a lovely friendly atmosphere, and isn't race just a "challenge", which I think makes everyone a bit more relaxed. A lovely morning
Date of review: October 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: adrian wilson 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very enjoyable race but not easy,great value and lovely scenery.
In full: Did the full 26 miles from Lincoln to Sleaford.Really enjoyable but its made me ache in a few places!A few difficult bits under foot and styles/railway lines /foot bridges to deal with.Great value for a 26 mile race and thought the technical t-shirt and medal were good prizes.Generally really well organised apart from one place where I took a wrong turn,and I was't the only one.Even when I found the right turn it wasn't obvious.Probably needed a marshal here.
Date of review: October 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: tummy monster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tougher than I thought!
In full: I did the 13 mile option from Metheringham. Lovely route but the going got tough when we hit the ploughed fields, and by the time we got to the riverbank it was a case of hanging in and trying to run more than I walked. I did say never again, but a long hot bath later I'm trying to work out how feasible the full course would be...
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: John W
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Lovely low key event, Superb Organisation, Great Marshalls and competitors alike
In full: Did this event in 2009 and it became one of my all time favorites for it's low key relaxed atmosphere. charming scenery and superb organisation. I'm Glad to say that it has managed to improve. Had a lovely day, it's a great run, the marshals where abundant and friendly and to add coach transport to the start, a technical tee shirt, medal and certificate make is superb value. Loved it!
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Simon Young 7
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: An excellent event
In full: This was my first time running this course and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did the 13 miles run starting from Metheringham. It was very well organised with friendly marshals. The course was mainly off-road, not too muddy but a few slippy bits to keep you on your toes. Lovely route across country taking in some nice villages. The sunny weather helped too. Will do it again. Nice T-shirt and medal at the end.
Date of review: October 14, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Explorer Dave
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice, something a bit different
In full: Well organised, water in bottles at checkpoints this year. Nice mix of paths and trail like footpaths. I wore trail shoes which helped off road but the weather was kind again this year so not excessively muddy. The various local groups (scouts, cadets etc) who helped with the marshalling were very supportive of the runners.
I'd prefer a t-shirt to a medal but thats my personal opinion.
Date of review: October 18, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: smiggy1959
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: a underrated and under advertised event, well organised greta scenery and friendly marshalls
In full: first time doing this event, seen it for a couple of years, well organised, great marshalls,bussed to the start, drink stations well manned, plenty of direction arrows,if you followed the instruction not a lot of chance of going off course. disappointed with a medal at the end, a tee shirt gives an event a lot more publicity and credence and this is what this event needs, keep it special
Date of review: October 17, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Ianjames
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: An enjoyable, if sometimes confusing, 26-ish mile race. Take a copy of the route instructions!
In full: Part of me feels I should have rated this higher. This must have taken a great deal of organisation and planning: its a great run through Lincolnshire's countryside - so, no sweeping vistas, but a lot of fields, hedgerows, tiny villages. Nice surroundings, which make a difference if you're going to be in them for 26 miles.
A few tips if you're doing this:
1. TAKE A COPY OF THE RACE DIRECTIONS! They were a couple of stewards short, and we inadvertently took a wrong turn (even with directions). Thankfully, we found our way back to the rest of the runners, but running at the back meant we didn't have a pack to follow for the start of the event, until we started catching the walkers (they set off an hour earlier).
2. Consider some trail shoes. We had a lovely day, weather-wise, but this would be a very different proposition in the mud. Don't wear nice, shiny new road shoes. The route is also very uneven at points, so you might want to think about stability for those ankles.
3. Take a water bottle. There was water in cups, but people were kind enough to fill up your bottle if you had one.
Generally, I felt this race had a definite charm. The friendly atmosphere offered by the stewards, and by the encouragement of (most of) the walkers you pass makes it stand out. There are a few kinks they need to iron out: I'd request mile markers, though I know some don't like them, and a few more direction arrows - or stewards at the vital points (you needed one more in Washingborough, which was where we got lost!). Also, some more clarity about total distance, as there seem to be some varying estimates. But I shall wear my Spires and Steeples challenge T-shirt with a nice warm feeling inside, and I'll definitely be back next year. For anyone reading this, I'd recommend the event.
Date of review: October 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Marlan
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A great run, quite challenging. Good atmosphere
In full: A really good event, and actually running from Lincoln to Sleaford adds a sense of acheivement.
Marshalls were friendly and encouraging, and plenty of water at checkpoints. Lovely relaxing finish in a riverside location.
Also a good event for walkers if you dont fancy running all that way
Date of review: October 18, 2010
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