My Event Ratings

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

In short: A really friendly race, from spectators to marshalls to fellow runners. A tough climb, but compensated for by the views. Organisation still needs a bit of tweaking but let's not forget it's only the second time it's been run.
In full: Some of last year's criticisms were taken on board and I'm sure this year's will be too. I spoke to Chris (the race director) before the race and he said the finish had had to be changed only this week, because of the work going on. I don't think the intention was for us to run up that narrow slope at mile 13.

I suffered last year for trying to hammer it up the Orme. This year I took it much more steadily, finished 10 mins faster and felt great. I was really impressed to receive a text 10 mins after I'd finished, giving me my chip time and position - what a fabulous touch.

My only gripe is having paid an extra £5 for a tech top, I wasn't expecting to be told they'd run out of small ones. I don't know why the names list for the tech tops didn't include the ordered size. I finished 248/913 so it's not as if I was one of the last home - although pre-ordering should mean EVERYONE gets what they paid for, irrespective of position. I think this needs sorting out for next year, because if I'm not guaranteed what I pay for, I'm not coughing up the extra next time.
Date of review: November 22, 2010

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Well organised and friendly race but marred for me by the announcement 25 mins before the start that Ipods were banned
In full: I normally rave about this race because it has so many positives, but I feel let down by the last-minute amendment to the rules so I'm afraid I'm going to focus my comments on that. Having entered this race in the knowledge that MP3 players weren't banned (Quote from race day instructions - "We strongly advise AGAINST using these in the race"), I was not happy to hear the Tannoy at 1.35pm saying they were banned. In my opinion, that's hardly fair and means I won't risk entering again. I tried to embrace the music-free culture from mile 8 onwards but I wasn't converted. It takes some of the pleasure of running away so I've decided the concept is just not for me.
Date of review: June 20, 2010

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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 short: The friendliest race I've ever run
In full: Although I always find the last few miles along the main road a real grueller, I love this race. For such a small place, the Freckleton locals create a great atmosphere. Race organisation was faultless in my eyes, the towel was a quality memento, and spending the evening in the club with a bunch of RW forumites made this a day to remember. Can't wait for next year!
Date of review: June 22, 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		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Love running, love Blackpool. A perfect combination in a great race.
In full: I'm one of the rare breed who loves Blackpool anyway so this was always going to get the thumbs up from me just because of the location but the organisation couldn't be faulted from my experience of the day. Just a bit disappointed to have to wait until Tuesday before the provisional results appear on the website - patience has never been my strong point! Thanks to all the organisers and volunteers. Warning for future entrants - choose your car park carefully. The first one I encountered was £7 for the day, the next one was £2.20!
Date of review: April 27, 2008

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

In short: Lousy weather - great race
In full: I'd love to run this one in the summer. The Garstang countryside isn't done justice in December. The lousy weather just added to the sense of achievement for taking part so I'm feeling very virtuous after that! The marshalls deserve a big thanks for standing around for 2+ hours in those conditions. My only gripe is that I don't like cheese but my Dad's very happy with it!
Date of review: December 2, 2007

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

In short: Mixed feelings about this one. Nice route, hotpot and drinks afterwards but a few gripes too I'm afraid
In full: Great scenery and nice to have support from the locals en-route. Enjoyed the free food and drink afterwards - that was a nice touch. The £5 Sweatshop voucher at the end is as good as cash to me - I liked that!
As a first-timer at this one, I found the lack of information regarding parking and collecting my number a bit of a concern. Apparently if I'd entered by post I would have been supplied with the info but I entered online so had no idea. Anyone entering on the day would have had the same problem. Would have benefitted from some signposts.
Wasn't sure when I'd finished either - turns out it was at the far end of the funnel by which point I'd slowed to a walk. Disappointed to find no water at the finish line and the medals only appeared after many had finished. To be fair, the organiser has left a message on www.ukreults.net offering medals to those who missed out. To finish on a high, the marshalls were great and offered plenty of encouragement. A few minor tweaks could make this a must in my calendar - as it stands, it's more of a maybe.
Date of review: November 4, 2007

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

In short: The new route gets the thumbs up from me. An enjoyable race on a beautiful day.
In full: Having done this the last two years, I was pleased with the new route. I expected to be slower due to the grassy bit but was delighted to knock 3 mins off my old course PB! My only gripe (I didn't mind the start bit - found it quite funny really) is that I've now got 3 towels! I'd like something different next year please ;o)
And whoever sorted the weather out, top marks to you!!!
Date of review: October 21, 2007

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

In short: Freckleton sure knows how to host a great race.
In full: The Freckleton residents were incredibly supportive, there was plenty of water, the showers en-route were wonderful, the lady with the hosepipe around mile 12 was a diamond, the sponges were a brilliant idea, the commentator was a fabulous boost to the spirits, the forumites I met were all lovely and the post-race massage was great value for money,
The final slog up the main road was hard work but running along the country lanes in the sunshine prior to that stretch was more than adequate compensation for me.

Date of review: June 19, 2007

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

In short: Lovely day out at the seaside, but far too hot to be running!
In full: This was my first attempt at this race and I'll definitely be back. Not as flat as I'd expected but I enjoyed the course with some fine views of the bay. Well organised with results available very quickly. The hot sunny weather tested us all with some suffering more than others but it gave me a great excuse for missing out on a PB!
I was a bit confused by the car park though - the ticket machine was taped up when I arrived but after the race it had been reopened. Just relieved not to get a ticket!
Date of review: June 10, 2007

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

In short: Great scenery on a beautiful day. PB potential hampered by narrow paths and steps
In full: Top marks to the organisers for seeing this race through given the sad and difficult circumstances. What a glorious day for a riverside run. I got held up over the first mile as I struggled to pass people on the narrow paths. Then again going up the steps where it was single file and everyone was walking. If you want a PB in this race, start near the front. I'm not complaining though as the scenery and the encouraging marshalls more than made up for it. Good refreshments available in the pavillion and picked up a few bargains at the Pete Bland stall too. All in all, a great day out. Count me in for the next one.
Date of review: April 15, 2007

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