My Event Ratings

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

In short: Excellent atmos and organisation
In full: Although the scenery was very nice, it was quite samey, and over that distance, maybe there could have been the potential for more variety.

It was my first marathon, so no PB hunting but I had an idea what time to expect. On the day, the heat put paid to a fast time, along with numerous short hills as we emerged from underpasses, and over bridges.

But the heat probably contibuted to the best atmopshere I've ever experienced, particularly at Willen Lakeside, and in and around the stadium at the end. Names on numbers meant that many spectators cheered you on by name, many children requesting and getting high fives (the hand gesture, not the energy gel), clusters of spectators enjoying the sun on grass verges away from the main areas, a few mini entertainment spots along the way, kids offering to spray runners with water pistols, a guy in the street with his garden hose out doing the same, very enthusiastic marshalls at every corner. I could go on about the atmos.

Exellent organisation, not a single unclear / unmanned corner, every mile marker visible, every drinks station well manned and signposted. Perhaps less obvious were the toilet stops, I don't think I noticed them all. Couldn't quite hear the PA system at the start, and the pacemakers didn't have the promised balloons.

Goody bag was unspectacular, but decent. The medal is excellent, then there was a banana, a mars bar, a nice cotton t-shirt (only Large size), and a bottle of water.

The stadium started to empty before the final finishers were in, it was a shame there was no other in-stadium ents to keep spectators in till the end.

Some good photos were made available, but only from a couple of good spots. I'm sure a couple of other spots would have made good photo points. The video at the finish line doesn't have the clock visible.

On the whole, excellent! Thanks to everyone involved.
Date of review: May 8, 2013

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

In short: Very tough due to the conditions, but a great route and well organised
In full: Heavy snow caused the race to be postponed by one week to the bank holiday. This may have affected the turnout, so there was not a huge atmosphere at the start and end, but there was plenty of 80s music, and a good PA. A free but unmanned baggage drop was available.

There was still snow, mud, and ice in patches along the route, but road shoes were suitable for about 75% of the course. From mile 8 onwards, it was mostly uphill, so together with the mud and fallen trees, this made for a tough route.

Mile markers and direction pointers were either rare, or difficult to see. However, marshalling was excellent, with loads of encouragement, and warnings of specific bad terrain.

There was a great atmosphere on and around the Ironbridge itself, and I imagine it will have made for some excellent official photos.

The goody bag included a Boost, and great medal, a good cotton t-shirt, and water.

Overall, I've been a little harsh with my overall score, as I think if the weather was better, the course would have been in better condition, and there may have been a greater turnout adding to the atmos.

This was my first go at this race (and only my second half-marathon), and I look forward to trying it again in the future, and probably giving it a better overall score if weather permits!

Date of review: March 31, 2013

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

In short: Nice route and good organisation
In full: Snowfall throughout the race added to the six inches already settled, but it wasn't too cold, and made for a beautifully picturesque run.

Only those who arrived early, were able to use the on-site car park (which costs £2.50). Others were forced to use the nearby Tescos, because of the snowy conditions. We were pushed into our parking spot by a marshall!

Over 400 runners were involved over the three distances (5/10/15km) which started simultaneously. The 10km race was the popular choice, with over half of the competitors doing this two-lap event.

The route was very well signposted, and well marshalled. There was a small crowd in support around the lap / finish area, and a good commentator on the home straight. The occasional dog-walker could be seen around the route.

A nice medal was given to all finishers, but there was no goody-bag. Possibly due to the absence of the energy-drink sponsor, who were not able to make it to the event due to the weather conditions.

This was Round 1 of a three round fortnightly event. Whilst there was a great atmosphere amongst the runners, there were understandably too few spectators willing to stick around until all the runners had come in.

Overall, a nice event, but to get an above-average score from me (a first-timer at this one), it would have needed a goody bag, more support, and free parking (or cheaper entry-fee).

Thank-you to the marshals who did a good job!
Date of review: January 21, 2013

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

In short: Tough water obstacles, great fun, great camaraderie
In full: Great scenery in Weston Park on this cold day, meant there were few spectators, but the competitors and organisers made a wonderful atmosphere.

Organisation was almost perfect, only a shortage of goody bags and t-shirts made me consider a score below 5 stars, but everything else was so good, and we've been promised t-shirts in the post. Route to venue was signposted. This was the first time I've found a raceday PA to be actually audible. The route, although complex, was well marked throughout. All tough obstacles were manned. A small changing area and baggage drop tent was available. Toilets were just about adequate for 500+ competitors.

Excellent support makes this very beginner friendly, but it's not for the feint hearted.

It was my first event of this type, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
Date of review: October 28, 2012

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

In short: Nice event. Flat course. Few spectators.
In full: Well organised event, on a fairly flat course. The poor weather that was promised held off for the duration of the actual race, apart from a tough headwind all the way home from 10.5 miles.

Goodies were handed out without a bag (possibly due to bylaws), and were hence minimal. Comprising an engraved golden shoe, a cap, and a bottle of water. Free massages were available.

Some parts of the course were a bit on the thin side, and required single file traffic, where participants were running in both directions.

Not many spectators were to be found away from the start / end / 7.5 mile point, so it could feel a little lonely if there were no other runners with you.

Very nice on the whole though!
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: Well organised event on a flat course with various scenery
In full: The multi-lap route looked dauntingly confusing on the map, but was very well indicated with cones and ropes, once you're underway.

The start path was quite narrow, meaning that the early stages of the race were a little overcrowded, and the curvy pondside section is potentially a little slippery. But apart from that, the course is flat, and very good for a PB.

Quite a strong field, with a quarter of runners finishing sub 19 mins, and everyone finishing sub 35.

A little confusion at the finish line after 100 finishers, as they had only brought out 100 goody bags. But more appeared shortly afterwards. Bags contained water and a nice sponsor's t-shirt.
Date of review: November 20, 2011

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

In short: My first ever race. Will do it again next year.
Date of review: September 19, 2010

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