My Event Ratings

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: This year with extra miles, climbs and pain
In full: Barking mad, this is. The national anthem, a bagpiper and the biggest climbs and descents outside the Alps. A cheerful race director and host in Dr Rob. Add 50 per cent to your normal half marathon time, only this year there was an extra bit so it was 16 miles - an ultra half so close to double your normal half mara time. But plenty of good running terrain between the huge ups and downs. Great fun, great supportive atmosphere, trashes your legs for a week afterwards. Oh, and a huge medal. Organization like clockwork. Top event.
Date of review: June 23, 2012

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

In short: A nice day out
In full: As always, an efficient job by Reading Roadrunners. The course is fast but a little congested at the start for midpackers like me. Good facilities, good atmosphere, somewhere to stow baggage, well-organized event. I would have preferred a medal to a mug but that's a matter of taste. I'll be back next year.
Date of review: May 7, 2012

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

In short: A long-standing favourite event
In full: Excellent event. Course is quick and undulating, scenery is as good as it gets for Bracknell, organization is faultless and goody bag is generous. Huge thanks to all the organizing team this year for enduring such filthy weather. See you next year.
Date of review: April 29, 2012

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

In short: Excellent event
In full: One of the best events in the calendar. Ace scenery, route that is flat but has a few challenges on it, top atmosphere and marshalling, efficient bag storage, organization like clockwork. They even make sure the weather is perfect. Really can't think of any negatives on this one, although if the event expands traffic congestion at the venue and on the dual carriageway outside could become an issue. In short though - top race and top marks to Purple Patch.
Date of review: March 25, 2012

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

In short: Excellent first outing for this race
In full: It's in Cornwall so there are going to be hills but that said, this is a brutal course. Add a good five minutes to your usual half marathon and be prepared to hurt a bit. Well organized especially for the first outing - start venue is a huge Wetherspoons, plenty of loos, plenty of drinks afterwards. No complaints from me for parking, marshals or organization in general. And great value - a medal, chocolate treats, pasty and a can of Tribute. Well worth turning out for.
Date of review: March 18, 2012

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

In short: Excellent event
In full: I've done this one several times now and it's as good as ever. The organization is expert, the venue is superb (lovely grounds of a posh private school), ladies doing tea and cakes, secure and fast baggage hall, nice medal, slightly lumpy course but lots of shade - nothing to fault from me.
Date of review: August 22, 2010

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

In short: Excellent event, as always
In full: As always with this event and Purple Patch, a fine day out - scenic course, good start and finish venues, efficient organization, fast baggage service, lots of water stations, cheerful marshals, good for racing snakes and backmarkers alike. Didn't seem to be many portaloos at the start but there were plenty of bushes :-) No complaints and only praise from me.
Date of review: July 25, 2010

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Another of Dr Rob's evil extravaganzas
In full: Brutal drops and climbs, fantastic views from the top, great atmosphere, cheery marshals with jelly babies, great goody bag, bagpiper on the course, picnic spread at the finish ... a great event in every way and a real challenge. "Only" a half marathon but equivalent in effort to something nearer to 20 miles, I would say. Avoid steps and gradients for a day or so after doing this one. Flawless organization and a great day out. Roll on next year!
Date of review: June 20, 2010

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

In short: Excellent race and remarkable value
In full: A long-standing race with a good course and great organization. Excellent value too - you get a medal, T-shirt and other trinkets. One of the best races in the area.
Date of review: May 9, 2010

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

In short: A good village-green 10K
In full: A new course this year, with no killer hills but a couple of lengthy leg-sapping gradients which to be honest are compensated for by similar downhill stretches. As always, well organized by Reading Roadrunners with loads of marshals on hand. Well worth the trip.
Date of review: May 3, 2010

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