Latest Ratings
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2013 The Blackminster Half
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race so very very cold !!!!
In full: Did this last year in the glorious sunshine, well marshalled and great atmosphere at finish line. This year oh it was cold oh so cold, fair play to the marshals who had to stand out in that for two and a half hours !! Understandably the support around the course and finish was sparse but this was totally understandable giving the cold and wind. The race itself is good, nice staggered start great scenery , a few undulations, nice hill towards the end to test you out. Good medal and goody bag. These guys do a great job, only two minor niggles this year, not enough toilets at hq quite a large que for the men's. goody bag could have done with a bottle of water, I know there were cups available at the finish, but a bottle to drink on the walk back to the car would have been appreciated. The drawstring back was a welcome change from the usual tshirts.
Date of review: March 13, 2013
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2013 Droitwich 10K - Summer Mid Week Series Race 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Very quick field very good hm
In full: This is a fast course, very scenic, very little traffic. Well organised and smooth race. Would happily pay a little extra for chip timing. It's a fast field with some serious runners involved, but still friendly enough for the less competitive among us. Definitely worth a go to start the season off and the fact that this sells out every year weeks before the close date should say it all. Well done.
Date of review: March 13, 2013
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2012 The Shakespeare Raceway Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 20% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It is flat
In full: Well I had read previous years reviews so didn't expect anything in terms of views or scenery so wasn't disappointed that there wasn't any. It's an airfield and drag strip. That's it. However I decided to do this race because of its reputation for being flat. I wanted to try and get a pb. I achieved that. So I got what I paid for basically. If you want scenery look for another race, if you don't like laps look for another race. If you want pb potential then do this race. Apart from that medal was good water stations fine, mile km markers ok. Marshals good. So may try the 10k next time, weirs 3 races starting together though didn't know who around me was doing which race so a tad confusing.
Date of review: November 27, 2012
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2012 BUPA Great North Run
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: First time for me and enjoyed the race immensely
In full: These are my views based on my experiences.
The race itself:
Ques for the loos were astronomical, luckily being a bloke and not a shy one I used natures toilet (a bush) there needs to be more and is a common gripe amongst runners. Didn't need luggage buses left my stuff with my family at finish and travelled light on metro to start so can not comment on that aspect. Got to my pen in plenty of time and good atmosphere the red arrows were amazing. Main gripe about start and again a common one. I was in orange b and going for sub 1:30 I spent the first three miles zig zagging and weaving between walkers and slow runners. How or why are these guys in this pen? Please be realistic and go in an appropriate pen. As for scenery a few people have moaned about it being dull but to be fair there's that many runners amongst you it's kind of hard to see anything around you so the scenery could be amazing and all you will see is the back of a mans head. However the bands were great the cheering stations were excellent the crowds and locals were amazing especially in the rain. The drinks and powerade stations were excellent but so much wastage, defo agree with previous comment, provide smaller bottles to reduce wastage. Route was tough not steep inclines but continuous gradual inclines that seemed to go on for miles. With no let up or respite. Finish line was great along the sea front. Medal t shirt and goody bag was the best I've had from a race. Overall a great experience.
Other points to consider.
Accommodation almost impossible to find, defo recommend paying extra or travelling further on the day rather than go for cheapest or nearest option (like I did) as I had a rubbish nights sleep. If travelling from the north to south shield in morning main route in is choca use the back roads, they were empty. Metro buy your band weeks before on line no queing. Metro will get rammed so be prepared to be sardined. Follow the crowd from the station don't worry about finding the start. Cell phone at finish is poor make arrangements to meet up at a specific point because you will be lucky if you get through. Either leave immediately or stay as late as possible otherwise you will be stuck in traffic for ages, also take back roads out of south shield as they will be empty. Hope these tips hep.
Overall a must do race even if it's just the once.
Date of review: September 27, 2012
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2012 Malvern Half-Marathon
| | 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: Well organised nice course good medal.
In full: Very disappointed with my time on a relatively flat course,could quite easily blame the event course weather organisation but it would all be lies, I saw a few guys struggling today so wasn't just me, however Malvern half I have unfinished business with you, I will be back next year and I will spank you so hard you will think that your the full marathon!!!!! I would recommend this race, it's well organised friendly great marshals amazing finish well supported. Only criticism would be the trail section at mile 11 apart from that excellent all around
Date of review: June 25, 2012
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2012 Crowle Gunpowder Plot 10K
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very good and friendly race
In full: My first time at crowle, very friendly, lots of things to do for the family. Decent course on closed roads,loads of spectators at finish , great crowds cheering you on. Nice medal to finish.definitely recommend this race
Date of review: May 13, 2012
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2012 Worcester Half Marathon 2012
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A bit disorganised, delayed start, dodgy cone finish could of been better
In full: As a local I didn't experience the parking issues but will say in the events defence that the fee was advertised on their site, even so I thought it was harsh to charge as the ground would have been empty on a Sunday morning anyway. If fee was going to charity fine but a quid would of been enough. At first no one appeared to know what was happening and when I made my way to the start , which wasn't very well sign posted we had the news of the delay. Once underway the course was certainly challenging with some nice ascents. Mile markers were missing but it didn't concern me that much. The finish was disappointing, any momentum built up was lost having to do a 180 turn around a cone before entering the rugby club, surely move the finish line or start back a bit. Was gutted to find no medal in a poor goody bag but the organisers very kindly sent me one in the post so fair play for that. Results took a while to be posted but still got the official verdict on the evening. This could be a great race with a few tweaks and hopefully they will take on board the comments and improve it for next year.
Date of review: April 24, 2012
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2012 The Blackminster Half
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Would not of guessed it was a first time race
In full: Easy to find, no issues parking, staggered start so quickes not held up in the pack. Well marshalled excellent water stations with energy gels ( banana!!!) not as flat as I had expected, undulating mostly, flat sections seemed to be met with head wind. Weather was very warm. Scorpions tail at mile 12 was harsh took away any chance I had of a PBS. Finish line area very lively with plenty to do for family / friends or non runners. Goody bag was excellent and time displayed at finish along with speedy results link to website. Would defo recommend to anyone. Only 248 finishers from a sold out field of 300 doubt that many failed to turn up so maybe a few drop outs on a warm day and slightly challenging course.
Date of review: March 11, 2012
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