My Event Ratings

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

In short: Good value for money
In full: As others have said lots of twists and turns. Was not that flat either, some quite long drags which were hard going on the second lap. I wouldnt write it off as a
Pb course if your current PB is soft but it is not the fastest of courses.
Parking was close to the start which was easy to find and there was bag storage too which was well organised.

The start was a shambles with slow runners starting at the front. I started near the front but was still obstructed by a lot of selfish people in the wrong place, that is the main area which needs working on.

Plenty of water stations ( water in bottles) and a little support on the course. The second lap was quieter. I was leading lady so had a motorbike escort who rode behind me most the time but occationally went ahead to stop traffic. There were a few places where marshals were stood but I had to ask where to go as they were not always directing. On a lot of turns there were arrows which were easy enough to see but I did see someone ahead of me miss one then double back so you had to be concentrating!

The medal and t shirt where not the best but considering the entry fee you can't really complain. At the end there was more water, banana and some millionaires shortbread so I think it was good value for money.

Overall I would say that apart from the start it was a well organised race which I would definatly do again
Date of review: September 4, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A PB course with the right weather
In full: If you dont mind laps this is a great marathon. It was possible to have your own drinks at the water station which was good. The course was flat with a few inclines but nothing much. Was well organised although when you leave the main route at the finish I was did have to ask which way to go as the marshalls were just standing there not saying which way!! Showers and toilets were good, no long queues. I found the 11.15 start quite late as I was ready for lunch an hour in. Would definatly do this again and hope that it is less windy next time!
Date of review: July 2, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: 13 miles 57 yards
In full: On the whole a well organised race. However the fact that it was short is inexcusable. It would be very easy to make it the correct distance.
Not the fastest of courses with a lot of twists and turns, some very steep (short) hills and some off road sections which could have been nasty had it rained. I was fairly near the front (1.34) and with all the twists and turns near the end could often not see the person infront, in some places the marshalling was either lacking so I had to guess or the marshalls didnt direct me until I shouted 'which way?'
Overall I think it was a good race which could be made better with a few signs up and the start/finish altered to make it the correct distance
Date of review: March 27, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Another great ashby20
In full: Love this race, it is so well organised, loads of water stations mostly with gels jelly babies and chocolate and water in bottles . Great hoody at the end and goody bag with loads of food,
Chip timing and quick result, the only thing I don't like is the walk to the start in the cold
Date of review: March 18, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Brilliant
In full: V well organised, chip timing so no lap counting issues! Great goody bag,the best one ever with loads of food and other bits. Really hope they put this on again next year
Date of review: November 6, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A great day out
In full: This was the first year. It was well organised with gels, fruit cake, chocolate, cheese and water at each of the aid stations which were 7.5miles apart.
The first 15 miles is a loop to the south of croydon. This is quite hilly and is on footpaths with a little on roads so you have to be careful. The loop ends up at the start so you can leave drinks/food to pick up.
The second half is out and back along a cycle track which is not as easy as it sounds as you keep going onto the road. I added an extra 4 miles to this section.
You are provided with instructions and a map but the map is quite small so you can only really use it to work out roughly the direction you are going in. The instructions often missed bits making it quite tricky. Then on the way back it just said reverse the route which for me is v hard work as I cant reverse directions to save my life and because I had gone wrong I wasnt sure where I was meant to be going.
A few of us spoke to the organiser about the instructions and he is going to improve them for next year so I think it will be a great event and was pleased to hear it will be on next year at a similar sort of time.
Date of review: July 10, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Excellent first time ultra
In full: Another great race from the ultrarace team, thanks Jen and Rory.
The route follows the canal the whole way with a couple of detours off where it is poss to go wrong/get confused but there were stickers put out. I made a couple of minor detours but no more than 100m at a time before realising I was wrong and I am the worse navigator.
I wore trail shoes on day 1 as I wasnt sure how it would be. It was muddy in places but not deep and puddles could be tip-toed around so no wet feet at the end. I wore road shoes day2 as I wanted a new pair and more cushioning, they were equally as suitable.

There were 4 checkpoints with water, flapjacks, winegums and 9bars so no need to carry too much.

Excellent organisation and a good race to do as a first ultra due to it being flat and not much navigating needed. You had to keep your eye on bridge numbers to make sure you crossed at the right place. I got that wrong as well and had to climb over a lock!!

A good mix of speeds including some walkers so you dont need to worry about being at the back!

I will def be back next year!
Date of review: January 24, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Harder than expected
In full: Very well organised. Only improvement would be a table to put your own food/drinks on which you pass every 3.5km.
Really encouraging marshalls who must have been freezing out there all day.
Trail shoes was def the right decision, not deep mud but the grip was needed on the wet grassy bits.
Was a tough loop, 2 long hills, some short ones and quite a bit on a camber so dont expect a good time but that is not what it is about all the time.
A good challenge and I really enjoyed it.
Date of review: October 25, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: An excellent introduction to ultra running
In full: Really well organised, checkpoints every 10km with water, cake, energy bars and flap jacks. The route was marked with stickers/tape and paint on the ground but some markings had been moved. We were also provided with a good map but still managed to get lost a few times and do 33 miles!!

Lovely route along the Robin Hood Way, quite hilly but no massive hills just lots of smallish ones. Despite lots of rain it wasnt too muddy, it was possible to tip toe around the big muddy bits and keep the feet dry!!!

Great finish by the castle but it was a bit nasy making us run up a steep 100m long hill infront of people sitting outside the pubs/cafes having a drink on a sunday afternoon!
Date of review: August 23, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Excellent PB course
In full: Really well organised, parking not far from start/finish like some races. Plenty of water stations (bottles) and sports drink (sainsburies) which was less sickly than LS! Loved the T shirt and good medal.

Some have complained that it is boring but it depends what you like. I have done 45 miles along a canal so didnt find it a problem. However, if you like nice scenery this is prob not the race for you.

I liked the out and back where you can see the faster runners coming back, again, this is not everyones cup of tea. I am also someone who has done 6 hours of a 1mile lap.

I enjoyed this and hope it will be a regular fixture, as does hubby (supporter) as he likes anything to do with trains!!! However, I appreciate this is not something that everyone likes which is why it is important to do your research before entering and why these are useful reviews for people thinking of entering next year

Date of review: June 1, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator