My Event Ratings

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

In short: Well organised, good 20 miler marathon prep
In full: Well organised, and very enthusiastically marshalled in poor weather. Reasonably quick, rolling/undulating course around roads and pavements. The four lap format is useful for trying out different marathon pace strategies. Nice to see a practical goodie bag with chocolate and sugary drinks in! Would definitely consider this again as pre-marathon tune-up.
Date of review: March 21, 2013

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

In short: Well organised 13.1 mile/21.1km race by the seaside
In full: Well I'm fairly sure they had their cones in the right places this year. Nike+ is clearly rubbish, and a discrepancy of 0.1 miles really is within acceptable limits of GPS inaccuracy/runners' weaving capabilities! A reasonably quick course, bit of a long but gentle drag in the first few miles but then a lovely long gentle back down and flat along the front. I guess the race is always prone to sea breeze and it was certainly blowy coming in to the finish, but all-in-all an enjoyable race, and Brighton will always have a good atmosphere (if the sun's shining!)
Date of review: February 18, 2013

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

In short: Excellent organisation, quality field, PB potential
In full: I can see why this race attracts a quality field. There are a few minor ups and downs but it's generally pretty fast, with a gentle downhill finish. Reasonably scenic route along predominantly country lanes with few sharp bends and a good set-up generally. What impressed me most was the organisation, with attention to detail such as accurately placed km markers, a huge number of marshals guiding you safely past every road junction and minor pothole, and the obvious benefits of chip timing with a very prompt results service.
Pretty faultless really. And if you want a nice mug go to John Lewis.
Date of review: February 4, 2013

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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: Very well organised, fast, flat, fairly scenic half marathon.
In full: I chose this race because I wanted a club-run, well-organised, fast half marathon. The fact that it incorporated the Surrey County Champs seemed to be a good seal of approval, let alone the fact that it clearly sells out every year.
The race delivered on all fronts, being extremely well organised, with friendly, well-informed marshals, good facilities... and I was lucky enough to be running up front and in the hands of the lead bike marshal who did a thoroughly excellent job of warning oncoming traffic, shouting instructions to runners on directions, course hazards, etc.
And if I could request exactly what I want handed to me at the end of the race, I probably couldn't ask for more than water, banana and a chocoloate bar. Spot on! :-)
Thank you Ranelagh, an excellent race.
Date of review: May 8, 2012

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

In short: Well organised, good atmosphere, and a technical t-shirt!
In full: Well organised and marshalled as ever by Dulwich Runners. About as scenic as it gets for a London race, in and around Dulwich Park, although this inevitably means potential obstacles by way of dogs, children, etc, not to mention narrow sections of pavement, bus stops, etc. on the street sections outside the park. A few inclines, twisty turns and bumpy surfaces mean this is not a lightning fast course, but PB potential if yours is a bit soft! The additional kids' runs and fun-run make for a great atmosphere, and a final bonus of a free t-shirt which you can run in. Not sure lilac is quite my colour but you can't argue with a technical tee as a race memento!
Date of review: October 5, 2010

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

In short: Definite PB route, nice low-key event
In full: The flat, fast route was this race's main selling point for me. A pleasant route along country lanes, friendly and well organised (although I wasn't aware of medals running out.) One minor point, the mile markers all seemed to come round too early, not a problem as I was taking splits on the Garmin but I know of one runner who was disappointed to miss target when he thought he was well on for it. Overall though, a nice race and would definitely do it again to get the PB down further.
Date of review: August 16, 2010

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Seriosuly hard work, seriously fun!
In full: Definitely the best race I've done for the sense of achievement at the end. Organisation was fantastic, and the atmosphere was completely made by the help and encouragement from a courageous bunch of marshals, but also helped along by the walkers we met en route - an inspired choice to let them set out before the runners, which gives this event a unique appeal. Also, sounds cheesy but the lone piper was truly uplifting at what could've been a very difficult stage of the race. That's a lot of steps!
Back to London next year. 26.2 on the flat will be a walk in the park after this!
Date of review: October 25, 2009

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

In short: Well organised, fast(ish) 10k, excellent atmosphere
In full: Second time I've done the race and enjoyed the same lively, friendly atmosphere and excellent organisation. Only minor point being the increased field size meant more weaving around backmarkers for faster runners, but I'm quibbling. :) Overall a great race.
Date of review: August 17, 2009

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

In short: More than lives up to its billing. Fantastic!
In full: Can't add much to comments about organisation and scenery, brilliant all round. I'd seriously think about taking a leisurely approach next year just to take some pictures on the way round. Many thanks for a hugely enjoyable race.
Date of review: June 14, 2009

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

In short: Flat, fast(ish) local 10k, well organised
In full: Slightly twisty, narrow paths means it's not lightning fast but a nice run through and round the park, good spectator support and very well marshalled - especially at the mild diversion created by the burst water main! Thanks for a well organised race, would definitely do it again.
Date of review: May 5, 2009

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