My Event Ratings

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

In short: A good race thats got even better
In full: This race exceeded my expectations, with a good course and good support from the locals.
I ran in 2009 and 2010 (missed last year due to injury) and both races left me annoyed/frustrated with simple mistakes that marred an otherwise good course and atmosphere.
This year the organisation seemed much slicker, and although there was a little congestion this is to be expected with 13 000 runners. The course itself was also improved, adding some more scenic parts of Cardiff and much less winding through back streets etc. The crowds were also much improved from previous cheers, with more people and more vocal support along large sections of the course.
I'll willingly be back next year, compared to previous years where I've reluctantly signed up due to it being relatively close and my favourite distance.
Date of review: October 15, 2012

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

In short: Flat(ish) course in pleasant surroundings - what else do you need?
In full: This is the second time I've run the 10k and its a nice event. The organisation is smooth with free parking alongside the start and the energetic announcer helping the atmosphere. The course itself is along the millenium coastal path so has some nice views of North Gower etc. and is also traffic free (except for the odd walker or cyclist). There's a couple of small rises in the course that are steep enough to hurt, but not big enough to qualify as hills.
Its a small event and the support is limited to the start/finish area, which you also passed through after about 8km, so the atmosphere is low-key.

Date of review: June 21, 2011

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: the run & route were good, but spoilt by the organisation
In full: Perfect weather conditions and a flat course mean this could be a good race. Whilst the distance issue has grabbed the headlines, there were other issues that mean I'm not planning to return next year.
Other issues were:
- Too many slow runners near the front, mainly due to poor signage and lack of access points into the start area. I joined at the opening just ahead of the sub-1:30 sign and moved back to where I thought I should be, but a large number of people joined & stayed around the 1:30 marker.
- This was exacerbated by the narrow start (not sure why they didn't use both carriageways) which meant there was no way around the slow starters.
- Support was muted around most of the course.
- Goody bag had very little in it.

This would all be excusable for a smaller race, but Cardiff is promoted as a big race and charges a large fee. Therefore the lasting impression is that it is just too expensive for the experience offered.
Date of review: October 21, 2010

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

In short: Fast fun route
In full: Very good race, first time & set a PB probably due to ideal conditions.
Was held up in traffic on the way in, and based on other comments glad I pulled over before reaching the car park.
The atmosphere was good, there weren't that many spectators but a good proportion were enthusiastic (especially the kid handing out jelly babies at about the 9th mile).
Only minor quibble was the mile marking - I think we had some "short" miles at the start, which made me think I was running faster than I was!
Date of review: March 7, 2010

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

In short: Well-organised flat & fast race, poor post-race setup
In full: Very good race, with mixture of urban scenery and a very flat course. With perfect weather conditions it definitely has PB potential (my first HM so was always going to be a PB for me!).
The race itself was well marshalled, and the course had a couple of interesting sections along the barrage and across a gravel track in a park. Mile markers and water stations didn't seem to be very visible.

Biggest let-down was the 45 minute wait to collect my bag at the end.

Will be back next year, but won't leave a bag!
Date of review: October 19, 2009

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