My Event Ratings

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

In short: Faultness !
In full: This half marathon never disapoints. Fantastic organisation and race HQ with lots of space. Great course and supporting cheerful marshals despite the grim weather. Great value too with a technical top, medal and a goody bag packed full of stuff. After the shambles at the Brighton 1/2 last week this race was an absolute joy.
Date of review: February 28, 2010

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

In short: Far, far, far too many runners for the course
In full: This was also my 4th consequetive year. The event today was very disapointing compared to previous years. I have to agree with the previous posters especially with regard to the baggage shambles and the ludicrously oversized field. The start and first 3 miles were a complete farce - was there any attempt at zoning runners according to ability with such a large field? On at least 4 occasions the field was reduced to a walk as the Lanes simply cant cope with the volume of runners. There must be a safety issue as obstacles such as bollards simply cant be seen in time and I speak from experience today. A real pity as this is one of my favourite races and usually a good PB opportunity but the time lost in the early miles was simply not recoverable. Let's hope for better next year ..........
Date of review: February 21, 2010

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

In short: Glorious winter conditions.
In full: Well done to Martin Burke the race director for the constant stream of race information with the adverse weather conditions. As it turned out the race was glorious - snow everywhere and bright sunshine with clear skies. Plenty of room to mill around in the warm before and after the race.It's a shame that it has to be a 2 lap course. The setting is wonderful - any chance of making it a single loop?
Date of review: December 20, 2009

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

In short: Tough but fantastic
In full: We'd better keep quiet how good this race is or we'll be fighting for an entry place next year!
Date of review: September 14, 2009

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

In short: Loved it
In full: Well organised, hassle free, great venue and course scenery. A couple of bottles from the local vineyard were a nice touch in the goody bag - will definitely look out for this one again next year.
Date of review: June 21, 2009

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

In short: They were right - a car load of mud to take away.
In full: OK - we knew it was going to be a tough race and that's what made it so much fun. A real camaraderie between fellow runners battling around the course and the marshals. The middle muddy section was classic with runners jumping over large puddles and sliding in the thick mud. Certainly aching nicely today. Great value compared with most races of similar length (£7 only) - the technical T-shirt would cost more in a shop. Well done Benfleet.
Date of review: January 26, 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: A great way to get the Xmas + New Year cobwebs blown out!
In full: Absolutely freezing today but the frost made the setting even more picturesque. Great views from the top of the Downs towards Walton-on-the-Hill. Well organised event. One for the diary next year.
Date of review: January 4, 2009

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

In short: Well organised event through the undulating Kent countryside.
In full: The first few miles is a bit grim running along the main A20 road but this is more than made up for in the second half along the Pilgrims Way with great views (and the odd car going nowhere beseiged by runners!). Did this one last year and will certainly keep an eye out for it next year as well.
Date of review: October 19, 2008

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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: Well organised event in a wonderful location on a beautiful day
In full: Very friendly event - really enjoyable. Kind of reassuring that so many runners had similar experiences to my own. As usual (I never learn) - went off too quickly for the conditions and paid the price later. Had to walk / run the last 6-7 miles but still finished 3.45 so inside my 4 hour target. Could have been so much better but that the marathon for you. The water stations in the last few miles couldn't come up quickly enough for me and I had to resort to sucking water off the sponges (not pleasant taste - but desperation had set in). Great cameraderie between fellow runners - thanks to the chap who gave me some of his energy drink at 24 miles. Personally I had no problems with traffic - the marshals were superb - thanks to all who made this a great event. Will aim to return next year and pace myself better!
Date of review: September 23, 2008

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

In short: Outstanding scenery - a real joy to run
In full: Worth making the early start - fantastic run through picture postcard rural village, country lanes, fields, a roman villa, a castle and a hop farm to say the least. Really enjoyed it - worth the odd hill or two for the 3K down to the finish. Runners World website says that this race is famed for its distictive horse-brass medal - not quite sure what's gone on this year - medal shows a wonky shed of some sort. However - one for the calender next year.
Date of review: May 18, 2008

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