Events

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

In short: Fab and Friendly Race
In full: I've been meaning to log my comments for some time, and so have had an opportunity to look at others views first.

I'll get out of the way the fact that I got a PB at this race by 6 minutes - so my view may a little coloured.

That said I thought this was an excellently marshalled, well supported race. The Saturday night start was a first for me but really enjoyed it - just the right temperature. It certainly was an 'undulating' course but not a real killer - I liken it very much to the Stroud Half which is my favourite race of the year (or at least was until this one!)

With regard to the comments made - especially the issue of traffic on the roads, non-spectator friendly start and goody bag in the sports hall. For all of those people I have to ask 'what do you expect for the price'. This is a lovely, well organised, friendly, fun, PB potential half marathon for twelve ish pounds - don't compare it to the bigger half marathons for which you will pay double that.
I've already mentioned the Stroud Half - it is very comparable and is a very popular race. Again the roads are still open. You take care, the traffic will take care everyones happy! I'm afraid that if you are after closed, traffic free roads with spectators at every opportunity then you probably need to just enter the likes of Bristol, Bath or Reading

Did I have any gripes? Only that for someone who doesn't know Gloucestershire that well - this didn't seem very close to Gloucester as hinted at in the race name!

Can't wait until next year when I will be looking to chip a bit more off of my half marathon PB!


Date of review: September 1, 2009

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

In short: This is by far my favourtite half marathon.
Date of review: August 8, 2009

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

In short: Less undulating more hilly!!!
Date of review: July 27, 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		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In full: As a local lass I have run the Huntley loop quite a few times. As for the complaints about the farm vechicles well & narrow lanes, this is farming country & it's a busy time of year! Yes, this is a country race & not a town race!! I'm biased but every time I run I admire & appreciate the scenery. Well organised, encouragement from the marshalls & a fantasic goody bag!
Date of review: July 27, 2009

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

In short: What a long hard slog for second half - enjoyed it but oh its a tough one
In full: Best goody bag in the world.
A very challenging race with what I thought were plenty of uphills more than undulations. although I have trained for hills, this one completely knocked me for six. Very hard slog and ended up having to walk a bit. Although it was a warm evening the water stations were a welcome sight and plenty of helpers( thanks guys and girls)
The organisation was superb although at the end you had to go to race HQ to get your goodie bag, could have given it out at the finish line. Can't complain about what was inside though, well worth the entry fee.
Very encouraging marshals even for slower runners like me,and a great atmosphere.
A big thanks to all involved, will be back next year to improve my time.
Date of review: July 27, 2009

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

In short: As an inexperienced runner I was nearly mown down by huge tractors. Not enough water stations.
In full: I agree with the comments about the tractors. I'm 57 and was doing only my third half marathon i my life. Finished in 2:00:27and could have done without having to dive into hedges to dodge four or five of these vehicles. Although others have praised the water stations I thought there should have been more - a four mile gap between 3 and 7 is too much on a warm day - or any day for that matter. On the positive sideit was well organised with easy parking.
Date of review: July 27, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Best goody bag in the world.
In full: A challenging race with plenty of undulations, A six pm start compensated a bit for the heat and everything from an organisational point of view went like clockwork. Very encouraging marshals even for slower runners like me,and a great atmosphere. But without doubt the best goody bag I have ever received. A big thanks to all involved.
Date of review: July 26, 2009

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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		60%

In short: Well organised and friendly
In full: I enjoyed this race a lot. The evening start time was different but convenient for me and the route whilst not spectacular was perfectly pleasant. The race headquarters were sited at a Leisure Centre which made for good parking and facilities. It was a very warm evening and I dithered about carrying my own water. No need to worry though as the well placed water stations had plenty. The goody bag at the end made this race very good value especially as we had chip timing too. Nice friendly runners (possibly helped by the MP3 ban) and marshalls added to the general ambience. I will happily return next year. Thank you to all involved.
Date of review: July 26, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: very well organised -- 6pm start a great idea!
Date of review: July 26, 2009

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

In short: Really ejnoyed this once and most glad to finish!!
In full:
Oh dear! Looking at a couple of reviews some people were less than satified. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it-Ok the scenery may not have been THAT outstanfind but when your pounding 13 miles around the lanes as fast as you can muster I don't think that matter too much! Start was safe and although there were a few issues with farm vehicles and cars there was nothing too dangerous. All in all I enjoyed myself-even the toughy hills! And a GREAT BIG thanks to the water stations-all the helpers really got into the spirit of it-I think smaller cups (and the option og having more than one per station!) was much better than having lanes full of plastic bottles left half full!! WELL DONE-will be back next year.
Date of review: July 26, 2009

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