My Event Ratings

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

In short: wet and windy park run!
In full: I had a nice 9 mile run to the start and then got soaked. After breaking my leg a few months ago, it was pleasing to get into 7 min miling for the first time in a while.
Date of review: June 20, 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: well organised race - except everyone with headphones!!!
In full: It's always important to support local races. People rush all over the place without even looking on their own doorstep for races. Beckenham RC is only 4 miles from mine and as such, it is always good to be able to include the race in a LSR schedule on a sunday morning. Beckenham Place park is a nice bit of XC without having to dash out to the North Downs. I put this as the last 10k of my 20 mile run this morning. That said, my legs were OK and after a long run in the drizzle, still subbing 8 min miles was fruitful, although frustrating as there was not much in the tank.

The only issue I have with this race this morning is the number of people running with headphones on and oblivious to the people around them. In their own little world, not paying attention to others around them and the lack of awareness is something that needs stamping down on. XC races should be just that... appreciating the terrain rather than the next tune.


Date of review: November 21, 2010

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

In short: mud, sweat and cheers
In full: A small field on this, the first time I had run the Founders. I had previously run LDWA events and knew what to expect with the crazy crazy mapwork and directions. After a lung-bursting first mile or two up onto the hills 4 runners went off ahead and left a large group of us running and chatting together. Gradually we split up. the maze of pathways, byways, stiles, water crossings and trudging through fields was somewhat confusing and with a couple of big mistakes it was easy to add miles to the marathon. The food and drink at CPs was fab, as was the marshalling. The flour trail helped after CP3. Fantastic dinner and a pint of cider at the end. No place for PB, but for perfect autumnul views over the surrey hills and north downs, for £7, totally unbeatable
Date of review: October 25, 2010

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

In short: fantastic organisation
In full: great stuff from Go Beyond and they can have my money next year as it is all about charity. Unlike some rip-off merchants who profess to organise ultras, the team at GB are ace. support and logistics were spot on. Food and organisation at CPs was magnificent. Met some good good people too. Small point....laminate those maps better fellas, it was mush after 10 mins in the snow and rain. See you in Jan
Date of review: September 17, 2010

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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		80%

In short: Outstanding support, scenery and event
In full: What a superb race. Take note all you charlatans that charge the earth and deliver nothing! The Ridgeway team are amazing. The secret formula? invite local clubs to man checkpoints for free places in the race. The distance was bonkers. The support from the marshalls at CPs and at feed stations was exceltional, particularly, CP2, Goring, CP6,7 and 8. Exceptional food and fluids on offer. The hills were nails, the relentlessness of it all and the warm welcome at the end after sunrise on the Wessex Downs was just amazing. Hats off to you for the best and hardest race I have done!
Date of review: August 29, 2010

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

In short: warm and undulating
In full: Out and back races can often be a bore.....but this was a great day out! The views from Ditchling are "top of the world" stuff. I ran in about 10 mins slower than last year but felt fresh enough for a 10 mile recovery run on monday. This race probably appears harder than it is as there are limited aid stations and the incline to Ditchling which seems like up from the 22 water station all of the way until you see Jack and Jill, followed by the quad mincing last mile and a half down. I like it that labelled bottles can be taken to the halfway point. Great to meet some new to ultra runners like Josie who I ran with for the first few miles and fantastic to see some familiar faces from the RW forums. See you next year
Date of review: July 27, 2010

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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		60%

In short: a nice day around hertfordshire
In full: I alsways approach races with directions rather than way markers with some intrepidation as I often get a little lost. This was a low key affair and once out of the new-town hell hole of stevenage the tracks and byways with rolling vistas of cornfields and woodlands were very pleasing on the eye. The checkpoints were well manned and well stocked with a scrumptious bread and butter pudding and always plenty of water, juice, cereal bars and sweets. Many events could learn a lot from this !!! and after a fabulous meander through the countryside passing wave 1 of runners and chatting to all of the friendly people on the way it was back to real like in the town-planning experiment they call stevenage. Will be back next year
Date of review: July 20, 2010

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

In short: Well organised XC event
In full: 5 milers are few and far between and so this one was a find justa few miles away in south london. We took 31 of the club up there for the run and everyone had a great day followed by a picnic and pimms afterwards. Running in the woods in summer is great and oddly felt more like downhill than uphill. Pretty pleased with my own run as it was the day after the south downs marathon. Will be back and with the club next year. thanks
Date of review: June 13, 2010

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

In short: Superb Race!
In full: Apart from my Garmin 310XT falling off my arm and disappearing into thin air at the start, the run was superb. Oddly ran the last 8 miles at faster splits than the first 18 but really enjoyed the atmosphere. Just over 4 hours but loved the hills, loved the support and the atmosphere was just great. Great to see good mates and meet some new people. What a grat race and will see you next year
Date of review: June 12, 2010

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

In short: muddy, wet but a fantastic course
In full: The first 5 left me wanting for my trail shoes. The rest of the expansive vistas and rolling hills were just brilliant. Plenty of water stops, lots of encouragement from the drenched walkers and a fast finish. See you next year!
Date of review: May 2, 2010

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