Latest Ratings
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2011 Robin Hood 10KM Trail Run
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beautiful scenery, brilliant price, excellent race.
In full: Brilliant. The price tag is excellent, the parking was on site, with port-a-loos and the toilets from the visitors centre. The 10K was two loops of the 5K route. The scenery was perfect with all the leaves turning on the trees. The route was undulating but with a couple of hills, but nothing that you would need to walk for- although there was one hill leading up to the half-way/ finish point! At half way the 10K runners were directed one way and the 5K runners into the finish chute- very well organised. There was a guy with a microphone cheering you on which was motivating (especially when you could see people finishing!). There were some people watching who were out walking/ cycling in the woods. At the end you could queue to find out your chip time right away, but I waited until I got home. The t-shirts were very nice too- cotton ones but for women they were fitted and not the big baggy ones you usually get. And even thought the parking was right by the start/ finish, there was no congestion when leaving either. A run that was just so enjoyable because the scenery was so fantastic.
Date of review: December 27, 2011
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2011 Bupa Great South Run 2011
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Crowded course and poor organisation
In full: I read the race information pack and it said several times that lots of parking was available in the town centre, and to follow the signs when we got to Portsmouth. After sitting in queues of traffic for over an hour (for a 15 min journey) the only signs I saw were ones saying "Great South Run, Congestion possible"- no directions to car parks at all. As it was getting close to the start time I found a car park and then had to walk/ run to the start (passing the 3 and 2 mile markers). When I got close I asked a marshal where the bag drop was but none of them knew. The map in the race guide was not that clear so it took a while to find the bag drop, by which time I had missed my wave start time. This I did not mind as I joined the back wave. I think they needed more than 3 waves though as at several points you had to stop (not even to walk, just stop completely) because it narrowed and there were too many people. It is a very flat course but a PB might be hard because of all the stopping. I did enjoy all the runners in fancy dress and at the back it did have a great atmosphere. There were lots of people out to cheer the runners on, which was great because the weather was drizzling and getting windy, but the scenery was very uninspiring- lots of housing estates. I had arranged to meet my partner at the end, as most races have a bit finishers chute, but this proved much harder because they were very fierce at getting you out of there straight away. Finally (and this is more of an issue with the town council I think) the town centre car park (which was a good couple of miles from the start) was so congested that we spent three (yes, 3) hours at a complete stand still trying to get out. They could have come to direct people down the up-ramp, or at least sent people to direct (as there was a bit of road rage when other cars tried to push in the queues). But as I said that was probably the council, but it is another reason why I rated this race so low. I also feel it is expensive for only a 10 mile race.
Date of review: December 27, 2011
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2011 South Cheshire 20
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hilly, beautiful, friendly race.
In full: This race (billed as a warm up for Edinburgh) was perfect timing as a warm up for Stockholm too. The marshals were brilliant, very encouraging, and the low entry price (which included a t-shirt, drinks, use of showers at the end) was really fantastic. I set off slow (steady) and was soon left alone as everyone else set off like hares, so this could put off total newbies. But I had a bike escort for the first 5 miles, and even though I was way behind everyone else the marshals still cheered and clapped me on. Plus the pretty scenery helped me take my mind off the miles and miles ahead of me!
Date of review: May 22, 2011
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2010 Berkhamsted Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic route but some super steep bits!
In full: The race was one lap through the beautiful countryside. This year was fabulous weather which made it all the more enjoyable. This was my first half marathon and even though there were a couple of incredibly steep hills (one that was about a mile long!) the race was very enjoyable.
Some of the race was through the town and there were people out cheering you on, some of it was through empty country lanes.
The marshalls were great (even someone at the finish line to take the timer chip off your ankle for you)- plus this year you got a banana (reveiws said last year you got an orange) and a medal at the end- my favourite combination!).
The only tiny issue I had is that as I was one of the slower runners by the time I got back to the finish (2hr30ish) I nearly went the wrong way as there was a big crowd of people leaving and the marshalls weren't clear, plus they had run out of goody bags. They were more in "packing up" mode. But the race started on time, there were toilets/ changing rooms etc and everyone was very friendly. The running out of things at the end is just a small point.
Date of review: March 8, 2010
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2009 Hatfield Business Park Charity 5K Fun Run
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Low key race, well organised
In full: The race is on fairly flat pavements- by some fields and some roads. Lots of marshalls en route cheered everyone on. Warm up at the start by a person from a local gym. It was very hot this year, but on a cooler day you could definately run a PB as it is so flat. Nice touches like the people on the mic announcing your name as you ran through the finish line, plus little on the spot prizes for some people. All the money goes to a local hospice so a worthwhile cause. Woudl reccomend this to anyone.
Date of review: June 28, 2009
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2009 Wheathampstead 10K
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely scenerey and a lovely village supporting the runners
In full: This was my first race (apart from race for life which is women only and also lets people walk)- there were a few hard hills but the scenery and marshalls cheering me on the whole way made up for those. As it had poured with rain this year right before the start some paths were very muddy and there were some steep steps which were slippery, but the course was all off road through fields and paths. At the end there was a little village fete and farmers market, and profits from the race go to a local school so all good.
Date of review: May 20, 2009
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