My Event Ratings

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

In short: Thank you Sexy Stoke!
In full: I have a bit of a soft spot for Stoke-on-Trent and had to come back for this one. It wasn't the easiest course to target for a PB - which made getting one even more awesome. Finished in 1:44 and still can't quite believe it, especially after that killer incline just before the last mile. Vicious course, but fantastic race - thank you Sexy Stokies!
Date of review: June 17, 2010

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

In short: 4th time and still my No.1
In full: Anyone who dismisses London as unfriendly should come down on Marathon day. From the kids high-fiving you in the early miles to the angels bearing carbohydrates in the final agonising stages, the sense of community from start to finish is incredible. Yet again I came away proud to not just be a marathoner, but a Londoner.
Date of review: April 26, 2010

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

In short: 3rd time round and still my all-time favourite!
In full: The only race where I can finish 22 minutes outside my PB and still love every second - even the ones that hurt. No other has EVER come close. If you're in it for the glory, this is the marathon for you.
Date of review: May 1, 2009

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

In short: Fog on the Tyne? If only...
In full: The warm weather made this already challenging course a bit tougher - combined with the crowds, this isn't the sort of race you do for a PB. That said, it IS the sort of race that has to be done at least once. Running along the Tyne Bridge with the Red Arrows swooping overhead was worth the entry fee alone. Excellent city, brilliant people, great race. Overrated? Perhaps a little, but nonetheless my favourite half-marathon. See you next year!
Date of review: October 4, 2007

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

In short: The marathon with everything - including a banana
In full: This was, in many ways, the ideal marathon. Fast, flat course (although the downhill sections were quite tough on the quads, as I later found out), starting in the town centre and finishing at Musselbrough race course. The long stretches along the coast were fantastic. Excellent marshalls and enthusiastic crowds - though these were sporadic, there was a nice balance of having lots of cheering and support as well as more 'quiet' times to enjoy the running. I ran a personal worst by 40 minutes due to ITB problems, but still crossed the line screaming like a banshee with a massive grin on my face. That should say it all.
Date of review: June 7, 2007

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

In short: Good training run for pre-marathoners
In full: It's difficult to rate this event as it was a training run rather than a race - and as training runs go it was a nice change from the usual and was very much appreciated given that it was a free event. I would certainly recommend it if you know you run at a specific minute/mile pace (e.g. 8 or 9) - however, if you are between paces (I was running at about 9.5) you need to have a decent sense of direction to remember where you're going. I don't, and ended up getting hopelessly lost. It would be really useful to have some additional people to help out the stragglers, or maybe a few signs along the course.
Date of review: March 28, 2007

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

In short: Great race and free banana!
In full: I ran a personal worst as I've been distinctly off-form lately, but this os usually the kind of race I thrive on. A couple of difficult hills but these were balanced out by smooth downhill sections. Excellent marshalling and great spectator support - one to do next year for sure.
Date of review: March 28, 2007

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

In short: Love the mug!
In full: A really nice event and great start to 2007. Despite starting the new year on a personal worst I really enjoyed it thanks to the friendly atmosphere and excellent marshalls.
Date of review: January 3, 2007

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

In short: Thank you Abingdon Amblers
In full: This was my second marathon and despite having an off day, I'm able to take away so many positives. I doubt I'd have even got round without the fantastic support from the marshalls, fellow runners and the people of Abingdon. I'm disappointed with my race, but far from disappointed with THE race.
Date of review: October 23, 2006

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

In short: Great half marathon - may do the full next year
In full: It's not often I get a half-mara on my doorstep so it had to be done. Not the easiest (or prettiest) of courses, but well-organised, well-marshalled and plenty of water stations. Getting a medal AND t-shirt is always good, as is a decent goody bag (this one had crisps and a caramel biscuit. Yummy). I'm seriously considering doing the full mara next year - although I felt a bit sorry for those coming in around the sub-4 mark to the sound of Jason Donovan.
Date of review: September 5, 2006

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