My Event Ratings

Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Organisation		40%

In short: They bit off far more than they could chew
In full: It's all been said above about mile markers, road closures and marshalling. The organiser clearly does not understand the basic elements of what is important to runners competing in a marathon. It's not about marketing, slick websites and empty promises. I feel many corners were cut; metaphorically and literally, and the prime driver in this race was profit, not laying on a good marathon. Utterly appalling fiasco where the woman in 2nd place was sent the wrong way, missing out about 3 miles and this finishing 12 seconds behind minutes ahead of the righful winner - upsetting for both ladies concerned, as well as the other runners sent the wrong way. Concerns about course accuracy as the route was changed at the last minute with no explanation given and runners not being informed. The organiser says it's still the correct length but cannot produce any evidence to support that assertion and seems reluctant to organise a remeasuring as it would eat into his profts. Poor, very poor. Hope it goes ahead again with local clubs organising it.
Date of review: April 11, 2012

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

In short: A race organised like clockwork
In full: Can't fault the pre-race and on-course organisation. Entries on the day taken, clear instructions at the start, mile markers bang on the right place and marhsalls at all relevant points.

The course is a fair one - a couple of little climbs but nothing much, but what made for a tough race was running into a strong headwind for 2 miles at the end.

One slight disappointment was that the prize ceremony was advertised for 1pm, so having sat in a cafe killing time, we got there at 12.40 to be told they'd already dished out prizes to the first 3 (I was 3rd) and that they would not be awarding vets prizes on the day (my wife was 4th and therefore would have got a vets prize).

Having said that, a race I'd recommend
Date of review: September 12, 2011

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

In short: A well organised city marathon. Well done Wolverhampton
In full: I think the organisers did everything they could to make this work well. People whingeing about the car parking should have looked into it before the morning and it was all of 5 minutes walk from the start - I don't see what else people could expect! And for a provincial marathon the support was very good - it had obviously been well publicised in the city.

Of course there is going to be traffic on the road - they can't shut down the whole of Wolverhampton for 6 hours!

I did the full marathon and there was good support throughout - NB the marshalls are there to direct runners, not act as cheerleaders, although most were encouraging.
Date of review: September 7, 2009

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Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Super organisation
In full: Yes there may have been few toilets at the start but there was ample woodland around - it's how we managed for centuries before the invention of the chemical toilet:-)

Super marshalling. Only mile marker I missed was 11.

One slight glitch was a presentation ceremony advertised for 1pm, then at 1.10 an announcement that it would be `in 10 mins' which actually started at 1.34. When you've raced hard getting a decent refuel is pretty important, and expecting to wait around for an hour and it becoming 90 mins + can lead to a depletion.
Date of review: June 14, 2009

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

In short: Everything well planned and executed by Roberttown RR.
In full: Excellent organisation all round. Highly recommended.
Date of review: May 31, 2009

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

In short: A super effort from Gillingham Trotters. They got everything right.
In full: Detailed pre-race information, prompt start, accurate mile markers, frequent water stations, the ability to leave personal drinks at 20k and 30k, clear marshalling and an excellent job done by the lead cyclists in alerting oncoming traffic to the runners approaching. Nice straight finish along a disused railway trail.

Interesting jar of garlic mayonnaise as part of a prize!

Top marks for all involved.
Date of review: May 3, 2009

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%

In short: Well done Wimborne AC
In full: They got all the things right as far as runners are concerned - accurate course measurement. Mile markers in the right place. Clear marshalling. Quick results. Photos available at the finish. One point about the cakes... - how about having them in the presentation hall next time as I found it a little difficult to shovel down a slab of cake so soon after racing flat out for nearly an hour!
Date of review: November 16, 2008

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%

In short: For a championship race there was lack of attention to detail
In full: As has been said, there's no excuse in this day of Garmins for a km mark so far out (I managed 1:50)!

Yes, it's not undulating in the slightest - I have measured the climb between 1.2 and 1.8 miles as approximately 250 ft. The biggest climb at a Dorset `Gilly Hilly' race last week was 160 ft over the course of a mile. Also, having run lots in Yorkshire, that hill was tougher than any I can recall in a road race up there.

The finishing straight was an interesting one - a glance at the risk assessment on having cars pulling out at random on both sides as people were racing down the last 1/4 mile might reveal otherwise but I don't think so.

The results for the intercounty championships were flawed, missing out at least 2 runners I know of, possibly meaning the wrong medals were awarded on the day. Had the race results been published as runners were enduring the long wait for the prizegiving, then such wrinkles would have been ironed out as runners realised that they were missing from the results.

No memento. As has been said, not something that bothers me personally, but had it been one of my first races or a special one for me I would have liked something to have shown for my efforts.

Yes, the individual marshalls were helpful and the changing facilities were good, with hot showers. The route itself was a pleasant one if not chasing fast times, and a good test of pacing, strength and race craft for a championship event.
Date of review: November 9, 2008

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

In short: Not that hilly really when you come from Yorkshire:-)
In full: Good effort all round from Gillingham Trotters.
Date of review: November 2, 2008

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

In short: Very well organised race - shame the prizes did not match those advertised
In full: Excellent course organisation - good start and finish area, ample parking, friendly efficient marshalls - you couldn' ask for more in a club organised road race. One small gripe that prizes were advertised for the first 6 women but only 3 were awarded. A bit disheartening if you've worked hard to finish in a prize position then find that what was advertised has not been honoured.
Date of review: September 1, 2008

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