My Event Ratings

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: Brilliant, scenic, well organised marathon!
In full: Chester Marathon is a really beautiful, scenic race with a few hills to keep you occupied. It's definitely got PB potential as I managed to knock 5 minutes off mine. It isn't congested like some of the bigger marathons so you can run at your own pace without fear of bumping into people. The support through the villages is awesome and the quiet stretches are tranquil and idyllic. The race organisation is like clockwork and Andy and Chris (unlike other race organisers) are personable and really care about runners and delivering a great marathon. My only (very minor critisism) is the mdedal could be a little nicer (and made out of gold perhaps? haha).
Date of review: October 8, 2012

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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: A 10K that should be on every runner's must-do list
In full: This race is located over a small area so there is great support from beginning to finish. Great atmosphere, exciting, well organised, good pb potential, lovely setting. Can't fault it. I want to do it again tomorrow!
Date of review: May 13, 2012

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Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Disappointing
In full: I quite liked the course. It is fast and flat with a few undulations in the second half. The start is quick and un-congested. Unfortunately we all suffered with the strong wind this year which I suppose is always a possibility on a coastal route. What let this race down was the lack of atmosphere mainly due to the supporters could not being able to get around the course. It really felt like a low key event. Actually it felt like the organisers had organised a marathon at the lowest possible cost. There was no heart or personality to the event. It was a bit of a 'non-event'. The finish was congested and I believe the spectators were unable to get to the finish line to see their loved ones. The big screen had also failed so they couldn't see them cross the finish line. Our medal confirmed the race was run to the narrowest of margins, a cheap design very similar to the 5K/10K/Half medals. I believe some runners didn't get medals or t-shirts. It wasn't a complete fiasco but it also wasn't anything special and that's a shame when runners have trained so hard. One big positive though, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit. I wouldn't recommend this marathon especially if it's your first and you want it to be special.

Date of review: June 3, 2011

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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: Fantastic!
In full: Superb organisation, fantastic crowds, enough water to fill a swimming pool. Exceeded expectations in every way. The course is slightly undulating in the first half and crowded for the first couple of miles. A perfect alternative to London.
Date of review: April 15, 2011

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

In short: Great race, Great course.
In full: Did anyone else mention it was VERY WINDY today? Well I guess you can't blame the race organisers for that one! What an excellent race. Big thanks to everyone who made it possible and I'll see you next year! Fantastic!
Date of review: February 6, 2011

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

In short: FANTASTIC
In full: First time running this race. Well organised. Only took seconds to collect number and chip from helpful/efficient group of cadets. Lots of toilets. Arrived early so nearby parking was not a problem. Absolutely loved the course. Very rural. First half up gentle inclines. Second half almost all downhill. Great support from the public. Well done to the race organisers for coping with ridiculously wet conditions. This is going to be one of my favourites! See you next year.
Date of review: October 4, 2010

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

In short: Enjoyable trail race in the middle of Delamere Forest
In full: Great organisation. Friendly atmosphere. Tough but interesting course. Two water stations (bottles). Well sign posted. Great medal and nice goody bag. I can't understand why this race isn't sold out every year!
Date of review: July 16, 2010

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

In short: Fantastic Race
In full: This is a very well organised race with interesting scenary and quiet country roads. There are a few hills which make it challenging but the last 2 miles are downhill. The park and ride service works like a dream. Give yourself a big pat on the back Helsby.
Date of review: January 19, 2010

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

In short: £16 for a race that can't measure your time precisely?
In full: I think the title says it all. I started my Polar stop watch before I crossed the start line and stopped it exactly when I finished. You'd expect a variance of + or - 5 seconds. So when I checked the official results my time was 56 seconds out and the gun time is the same as the chip time! Bit of a cock up somewhere. Expect better for £16 guys, including some sort of explanation for this error.
It's a shame because I loved the race, the marshals were great and starting and finishing on the Athletics Track was amazing.
Date of review: June 24, 2007

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

In short: Hard to beat!
In full: If you want to have a good laugh and you're not looking for a PB this race is hard to beat! There is a great atmosphere and feeling of camaraderie throughout the course. Whatever you do don't bring your new trainers or Garmin! The Bogs were wonderfully cool and a great relief from the heat. I went up to my neck in the first one! Make sure anything in your pockets is sealed in a plastic bag and bring a complete change of clothes with you. Impressive organisation throughout. My only suggestion for improvement would be an extra drinks stop earlier on and showers at the end. I'll be there next year! Lasting memory: Everyone laughing at a bloke who was sinking after he'd started to cramp in the bog.
Date of review: May 1, 2007

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