My Event Ratings

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

In short: A well organised event
In full: This was the first time I've participated in this event, whch was extremley well organised. Start very good at the race course, no queing for toilets, more than ample to cover the 6,000 entrants. Nice atmosphere at start, with a warm up and Heart FM announcements. Course passes through city and out into the open countryside before winding back via housing estates before a city centre finish. The course has PB potential. I recorded my second fastest time over a half marathon distance, missing out on a PB by 30 seconds. Nice to receive a handshake and congratutalations from two marshalls at the finish, together with an excellent medal and technical tshirt (girlfriend does not like colour!!). A couple of challenges on the course. One at 8 miles, up and over a bridge, but if you've put in hill sessions, no problem. Secondly the last half mile to the finish is up hill, so leave some in the tank. My only slight negative that if this race is to accomodate a larger entrance number, then the city centre finish, as much as I liked it, finishing outside Chester Cathedral, will have to be looked at. Very large numbers of spectators and finishes in a congested area. Lastly, I could not find the A - Z alphabet to meet friends etc. I was expecting large stand alone letters, similar to Great North Run. Instead they were hanging off buildings not particular very large, but this may have been me being dense after 13.1 miles! Overall a great half, very well organised and Chester is a lovely city to make a weekend break around the race.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Very impressive Half Marathon
In full: Very well organised event, raising money for the NSPCC in the process. This was the first time I've entered Bungay Half Marathon, having previously run in their Great East Run 20K. Yesterday's marathon / half marathon were very well organised from start to finish. Great route, although challenging, five hills, I believe I counted on the way out on the main road. Coming back the route follows quieter roads and villages. The last two miles are on a footpath / cycle path. Excellent atmosphere at the end of the race, medal and goody bag as promised. Well done to all those involved in organising a very good race.
Date of review: April 15, 2013

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

In short: An excllent Half Marathon
In full: Many thanks to all those at Stowmarket Striders who made Sunday's Half Marathon a very well organised race. Lovely words of encouragement from marshals, well organised race HQ, smashing quiet country lanes route and a fantastic medal. Thank you all, will be back next year.
Date of review: April 10, 2013

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

In short: A lovely quiet country lane half marathon
In full: 2013. Excellent half marathon, using quiet country lanes meaning less than 3 cars were seen on the whole route. First class marshalls, 3 or 4 testing hills an excellent bespoke medal. If you have never done this half, then give it a look!
Date of review: March 17, 2013

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

In short: An excellent Half Marathon
In full: This is the 5th time in as many years that I have run this race and it will always be a permanent fixture for me as long I and the race keep going! Conditions this year made it difficult for runners to obtain a PB, although it is potentially a PB course. Excellent marshalling, car parking and toilets all very good. Great medal, one of the best bespoke I've had, although all of the medals from running this race have been very good. Goody bag, packed with crisps, bars, drinks and no unwanted bits of rubbish which I have received in other goody bags over the years which go straight into the recycling. Well done and thankyou to all of the people who make this race a very special event in Norfolk Road Racing calendar. Look forward to November 2013!
Date of review: November 30, 2012

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

In short: A Fantastic Race - Shame a one off
In full: Being local, I always wanted to do this race, even though it was only 3 weeks after Loch Ness marathon! What can I say, Great Yarmouth Road Runners put on a terrific marathon. Organisation superb, free car parking, changing facilities good and an excellent route. As a Norfolk lad, having visted Yarmouth more times than I can imagine, I was struggling to figure out how they would put on a marathon route, but can up with an ideal 3 lap route. Yes weather was not good at times, however, I dried out and really enjoyed. The biggest positive for me was the MARSHALLS. I have raced in over 50 races since 2008 and have never expereinced support from the likes of these guys who stood out there for hours in the wind and the rain. They were just brilliant and if it was not for them and Ian Breeze who i meet on the forum for this race. I would not have achieved a PB, 4 hours 50 mins, always want to duck the 5 hour mark and I ran every single step of the way. Nice to be part of GYRR's history and its a real shame it was just a one off! Well done all who were involved.
Date of review: October 22, 2012

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

In short: A very special race
In full: This was my second marathon, VLM in 2010 being my first. Organisers of this event have certainly got it nailed. Pre race registration easy, the coaches up to the start all on time and leave promptly and things to do for spectators. We put together a 7 day break around this event with another couple and I will just list a few pointers below which you may find helpfull. Firstly, drive to Inverness, I drove from Norwich, very long way and overnighted in Berwick upon Tweed. If you decide on flying or train you are limited in Inverness as to what you want to do for a few days. However, Inverness is a very nice city. Loch Ness and Urqhart Castle are a must and we also drove over to Fort William to ride the Jacobite train along the most scenic railway journey in the world. Also, the Castle Pub, real ales, real food, the ales after the race!!! Back to the race! Having done VLM as my first marathon, the crowds, as expected are in not in numbers here. For the first 25 miles you are on your own apart from the odd house you pass with people cheering. Fantastic scenery, from the word go until Inverness, you do literally follow the Loch, 90% of the way. Sureal start up in the highlands as you are Pipped over the start by a band. Excellent value for money, great medal and Techincial T Shirt. Reviews say it can be fast, which I will agree with to a point, but there are one or two tricky steep climbs early on, one in particular at the 6 mile mark, where I saw people walking. Another long climb, not so steep is at 18 miles. I was plesed with my performance to a point, ran 20.5 miles without stopping until an old football knee injury cut in. Walk and and ran the last 5.5miles, hopeful of breaking the VLM PB, but failed by 3 minutes. Lastly, all I can say is, if you want a marathon which is totally different then do it. I would like to say, that I will probably do it again, but living so far away I probably never will. A special, special race.......
Date of review: October 4, 2012

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

In short: Excellent course , very scenic with a PB potential
In full: Having been running for 4 years and entering races within Norfolk, I had yet to give Wissey Half a try and I was certainly not disappointed. Excellent organisation, a delightful scenic course using all country back lanes, meaning I hardly saw a car! The course had a couple of climbs, but it is definetly a PB potential. Cost of the race was only £12 and all runners who completed got a given a bottle of cider. What do again!
Date of review: September 2, 2012

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

In short: A Great Race to kick the New Year off with!
In full: Pat and her team have got this race nailed to a 'T'. The last time I ran it was back in 2009 and since then the field has grown to an impressive 400 plus competitors. The race route is along quiet lanes with some up and downs, especially the last 2 miles being challenging. Chip timing along with a nice memento and goody bag (crisps drink, Mars Bar and fruit, made the race that bit extra special. I will be back.....
Date of review: February 1, 2012

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

In short: A Special Race for the Beginner or Club runner
In full: This is the 3rd time in the last 4 years I have run this race. Well organised and exactly what it says on the tin, a 'fun run' which is excellent for the beginner. The course is part road, track and field. It has some fast sections, but will never be a PB course, do to the climbs up and down from the railway line. The atmosphere is always great and the goody bag as always very good, featuring a christmas pud, xmas mug, certificate and medal. Well done to all those involved.
Date of review: December 14, 2011

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