My Event Ratings

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

In short: Testing
In full: Ideal way to punish yourself for over indulging over the holdays though shame it was a work day or attendance might have been up. Would really like the organisers to promote this more as its a memorable event and a chance to go to the Imber village which as an army training venue is closed to the public for most of the year. Give it a go and test yourself!
Date of review: December 27, 2012

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

In short: Memorable for all the right reasons
In full: This was my 2nd Torbay Half having done it last year and my girlfriends 1st time here. Excellent value for money with a really nice re-designed medal and a tech shirt included in the entry fee. A great mix of hills and views, lovely to be beside the seaside. Found a great guest house to stay at less than 500 metres from the start line last year and stayed there again this year. Hats off to Torbay Athletic Club, a great event they have clearly worked really hard to make a success. My girlfriend also thoroughly enjoyed it, only her 3rd half marathon but races like this just leave her eagerly awaiting her next. If you've not done this one yet do it next year, you'll really love it. Nice friendly race director too to whom nothing seemed too much trouble.There have been some comments about timing chips, but this could happen anywhere and was just one of those things you can't allow for. Thanks Torbay for a great race and a great weekend.
Date of review: June 26, 2012

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

In short: Variety, challenge and a sense of acheivement
In full: Probably should have been resting but thought I'd go for the views and a gentle run round. Ha ha, like I can ever do that?
Three tough hills but loads of great scenery, tree roots, mud, loose stones, riverbanks, stiles, cornfields, fast downhills, loads of friendly faces, two water stops, great support all the way round and loads of runners of all ages. A truly memorable race with a nice medal, a souvenir beanie hat and a goodie bag containing a good quality energy bar and a banana, both very useful after that run. Well organised event than ran very well and great kids mini races before the main event that were also well attended too. Definitely recommend this one even if I am really a road runner!
Date of review: September 26, 2011

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

In short: Just a map to get you round, not good enough, sorry.
In full: Great warm up from local fitness instructor got us ready to go and a beautiful scenic course, but loads to be learned for the future.
There were no signs guiding us to the event or warning traffic of runners in the road. There were no distance markers on the course and only 1 marshall who didnt even send us the right way, telling us 'use your maps'. We guessed our way round and being one of the first 3 home, waited almost 25 minutes for one of the organisers to turn up before we got our medals. No times were taken and we saw a photographer who just took pics of the first 3 over the line then disappeared. People got lost which in my opinion is not a good thing. Money to a great charity, yes, but peoples safety and enjoyment have to take precedence over fund raising. Get this sorted and we'll come again.
Date of review: July 24, 2011

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

In short: Its a speed thing
In full: Not sure I have the raw pace needed for a run like this, but enjoyable nonetheless and most likely will be back for the next one.
Date of review: April 18, 2011

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

In short: Good fast run
In full: Get there early to park as although its on a Wednesday, its very busy. Enjoyed this one and even got my girlfriend to have a go. She was delighted as she didnt finish last and got a t shirt. Will be back. Thanks
Date of review: April 18, 2011

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

In short: A good mix of gradients, up and down!
In full: A damp day and unsure what to wear for the race as it was chilly a drizzly waiting for the start. Started in the scenic chocolate factory then into the town and soon onto the local country b roads which were tough uphill but scenic but slippery coming down, making me careful for my footing. Finished back at the chocloate factory and was glad when it stopped as it later transpired I wasnt really well enough to run! Glad I did and looking forward to the next one. Well done Keynsham Scouts! Ging gang goolie goolie goolie goolie watcha, ging gang goo, ging gang goo!
Date of review: April 18, 2011

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

In short: Great mix of Dickensian town and country scenery
In full: My first competitiive race and thoroughly enjoyed it. Much better time than I expected and enjoyed running around a neighbourhood I used to live in, taking a trip down memory lane at the same time. A good mix of pleasant countryside flats with one or two challenging inclines thrown in just to keep you honest. Looking forward to returning and hopefully bettering my time here.
Date of review: April 18, 2011

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

In short: Fun low key event
In full: Two laps of Southwick park, then residential for the last 1k up to the finish. Positives, friendly crowd, pleasant weather and dry and firm underfoot through the park. Negatives, no souvenir at the finish other than a bag of paper, a creme egg and a bottle of water and they ran out of these very early leaving quite a few without even a creme egg. The finish was very small and easy to miss as you approached and then had to go onto the grass along the side of the road yet there was no marshalling to let you know this. Additionally, the finish was right by some traffic calming which could have caused problems for those a bit distracted by the race to watch for traffic. Most of the marshals were pleasant enough, but some of the others could have interacted a little more, rather than just sitting there reading a book. All that said, an enjoyable low key event helped on a personal level by a cracking turn out by my club members.
Date of review: April 18, 2011

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

In short: Road and woods, all good and plenty of neighbours giving encouragement. As everyone else said, you just dont have enough left for Blackberry hill as hard as you might try.
In full: First Frenchay for me and thoroughly enjoyed it. Was a little too hot but hey, the organisers cant do anything about that! Well organised, friendly and chuffed to get a decent T shirt which also had my name on!! Simple things eh? Also, a mug was a nice change too. Very very close to a PB for me despite the hills and would deffo do it again, though am concentrating on halfs for the rest of the season. Well done Frenchay, a cracking day!
Date of review: April 18, 2011

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