My Event Ratings

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

In short: An amazing spectacle that every runner should experience.
In full: I, like the vast majority of runners are somewhat PB obsessive. This is definitely one race where you shouldn't worry about PBs and just enjoy the experience. Despite my 2nd time at the London marathon I tried for a PB and failed due to the sheer volume of people. Once I let that go I lapped up the support and camaraderie of other runners/supporters and enjoyed every minute of it. The downsides were people in the wrong pens and rude, if somewhat frustrated runners pushing their way past. Quite sad really when someone feels the need to barge their way past others at such an event. If they were that good in the first place then VLM would have placed them appropriately. Get over it! My gripes are somewhat minor and could be experienced in any race and with that in mind if you can gain entry to the VLM you have to put it on your running calendar. The experience is unforgettable, the support unrivaled, the organisation fantastic, the crowds uplifting.
Date of review: April 26, 2010

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

In full: A gently undulating route with a mix of rural/urban surroundings. Good organisation only let down by too few toilets, not the best changing area, no technical tshirt and no date on medal/ribbon. None of these were show stoppers and did not detract from a sound race for a decent price.
Date of review: March 25, 2010

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

In short: A well organised, friendly, value for money, race with a well stocked goody bag.
In full: Why can't more races be on a sat. morning? An undulating, friendly, well marshalled race with a great goody bag made this race one I shall definately apply to do next year. Excellent value for money. Lots of water and fruit at the finish to recover with. Any chance of a proper running tshirt next year instead of a cotton one? Not a big complaint really especially as previously mentioned the value for money was fantastic.
Date of review: June 6, 2009

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

In short: Good race. Great setting.
In full: A good race with varying scenery. Excellent marshallers and a friendly atmosphere made this one to put in the calendar for next year.
Date of review: May 24, 2009

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

In short: Wind, wind and more wind!
In full: Good race with very helpful, supportive marshallers. Enough water stops but some of them only had cups of water. Not the end of the world but not very easy running with a cup. Excellent pasty at the finish spurred me on to get a PB.
Date of review: March 10, 2008

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

In short: Great weather, excellent course, well organised.
In full: A glorious winters day, a great course, and a well organised event made for a thoroughly enjoyable race. A varied interesting course with encouraging marshallers. The instant availability of the race results was fantastic. Will leave a space in the diary for next years race.
Date of review: November 27, 2007

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

In short: The weather....oh, the weather!
In full: My 2nd running of this event. (I think I must be a bad omen for the weather).
Good points:
Fast flat course
Varied route
Excellent medal

Bad points
Cost of the event
Crap cotton t-shirt - of no running use to anyone!

Overall
I quite like this race but am seriously considering not entering next year if only because of the cost.

The weather was not a problem. It merely made the last two miles somewhat hilarious.

I parked at Gunwharf Quays and walked 15mins to the start. Same again at the finish. Had some lunch and then left the car park at 1315. 15 mins to get onto the motorway. I thought the police were very good at keeping the traffic moving. It was the stupidity of the drivers that held a lot of people up as they chose to ignore the waving policeman and stop at the red light.

Whilst I feel for the hundreds/thousands of people who parked at the event and were charged £3 for the privelige of 'professional parking', you must have known that getting away from the event would have taken ages and due to Portsmouth's location would have exacerbated the problem.

Date of review: October 29, 2007

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

In short: Great support, fantastic goody bag, excellent organisation.
In full: The route was not the most scenic however the upside to going through the housing estates was the volume of crowd support. Great organisation and the best goody bag I've ever had (except London Marathon - they gave away a free can of London Pride!!) made this half one of the best valued races I've done. Pre-race, I was sent map of route and car parks and a free car pass. Other races take note of how the Great Eastern is organised. One minor gripe - any chance of bottled water next year.
Date of review: October 16, 2007

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A victim of its own success.
In full: The atmosphere was amazing and the locals were extremely supportive. The organisation was etremely good as well, however paying for the bus seemed a little steep when you consider just how much it was to enter the race. Whilst we are on the subject of cost - that alone would put me off ever entering again. It cost as much to enter as many marathons do!! As it stands, its a fantastic spectacle for the North East however I believe that it has become a victim of its own success. Just too many people.
Date of review: October 16, 2007

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

In short: Excellent organisation. Fantastic first class marshallers.Wind!!! Arghhhhhhh!!!!
In full: The first half was varied and scenic with good support. The second half lacked the support and the 2-3 mile stretch up and down the rowing centre was a little demoralising due to the wind. By the way, can we cancel the wind next year. Marshallers were the best I have ever encountered. Every single one urged you on and offered bags of support. Thankyou all. Organisation was great with ample parking. All this and a PB. Will be back.
Date of review: September 18, 2007

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