My Event Ratings

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Disappointing organisation
In full: Quite hilly but nice course. Tough being 1st half of the year so a bit slower than my usual race times but still enjoyable. Very disappointed with the water stations. Ended up missing the first due to no advance warning and the bad situation of it. The lack of any food in the goody bag was also not on. The only thing in it was old ASICS merchandise presumably from the cancelled 2012 half as ASICS pulled out of sponsoring it this year. That said ASICS must have been pleased as punch as the organisers still bizarelly used ASICS mile markers and marshalls were wearing ASICS jackets.
Date of review: February 7, 2013

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

In short: Chilly but fast and scenic
In full: Very well organised. Didn't use the buses as was able to park reasonably close by. Not many spectators but it was cold. Ended up with a faster time than I expected so pretty fast course. Only bad point was having to queue up for water at the end. Shame the t-shirt was replaced with a rucksack as could have done with it.
Date of review: December 16, 2012

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

In short: Kayak anyone?
In full: Weather was awful so course was officially flooded but that didn't stop the race taking place thankfully.

Course is supposed to be hard and slow anyway but in places you were knee deep in water.

Hill at mile 8 was really hard and made the final one at mile 11 easy by comparison.

Brilliant last downhill mile to finish.

No medal but nice t-shirt.

Really enjoyed it even in the tricky conditions.
Date of review: November 6, 2012

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

In short: Best support I've ever seen
In full: Parking was easy and organisation was great.

Course wasn't the best scenery being a city run but very flat and probably the best supported race I've ever run.

Nice medal and t-shirt too !
Date of review: November 6, 2012

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

In short: Nice flat course
In full: Well organised, decent parking, flat course, good weather, nice medal. Couldn't ask for much more. Recommended.
Date of review: September 27, 2012

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

In short: Hot hot hot
In full: 2nd year in a row I've run this and it doesn't get any easier. This time the start was from Slough due to the work for the Olympics but scenery over that way was very pleasant and no problem with parking at the start.

Hot day removed most of the water that had piled up due to the weeks of rain beforehand but there were still some muddy parts at the end which were a bit energy sapping.

Much slower time than last year due to recent illness but glad I took part and recommended event from great organisers.
Date of review: August 10, 2012

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

In short: nice event on a hot morning
In full: Course was pretty flat for the first 7 miles, a few small hills later on but definately a quick course on a cooler day.

Only negative was picking up numbers in the morning as this was done by surname and although there were 3 queues depending on surname everyone seemed to need the same queue.

I was going to complain about the early start for those of us that had to travel but as the weather was so warm it turned out to be a good thing ;-)

Definately worth a go.
Date of review: June 12, 2012

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

In short: Good first try despite the weather
In full: Parked in the nearby industrial area without any problems. Didn't use baggage store so can't comment on this. The course was obviously wet but organisers did well to keep the event from being cancelled. Didn't run as quick as I'd hoped but course was very flat with real PB potential. Overall I thought the event went well all things considered. With the bad weather more of the stadium could have been available for shelter for runners and spectators alike. I would also like to see more portaloos at the start and a better goody bag but I would certainly consider it again.
Date of review: May 2, 2012

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

In short: Qucker course than I expected
In full: Wasn't sure about parking near the start so opted to park in the centre and get a courtesy bus. Found the bus service to be superb both there and back. Did have to park at the station for over £7 when I knew there was a car park close by for £4 but just couldn't find the car park :-( Better car park sign posts would be beneficial.

Nice to see Sally Gunnell starting the race and once we were under way there was great support pretty much all way round. Liked the landlord giving out beers at about mile 7 although not many takers unsurprisingly.

Super finish at Madjeski stadium which made you feel like an olympian for just a few moments. I didn't run a PB but I did run much quicker than I expected so course quicker than I thought.

Not the cheapest but would definately recommend this one especially now I have no worries about the traffic/parking.
Date of review: April 9, 2012

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

In short: Just tough enough
In full: Good parking facilities. Organisers were very encouraging almost to the point that you want to join their running club. Nice course with just enough hills and nice medal to finish. The long hill at mile 6 deserves a special mention.
Date of review: January 23, 2012

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