My Event Ratings

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

In short: Testing hills
In full: Enjoyed it and the hill wasn't too bad with an immediate repayment on the downhill afterwards. Alhough it's not a course which is conducive to marathon training, I don't understand why more people don't do it in February. Local clubs were under-represented today.
Date of review: February 19, 2012

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

In short: Weather has an impact
In full: When Easter is early this can be a cold outing, but this year went completely the other way. I was glad of the 9.30 start. I agree with others that on a hot day there does need to be another drinks station after 6m. Otherwise, as well organised and enjoyable as ever.
Date of review: May 6, 2011

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

In short: Lovely course and scenery
In full: This is truly a fun run and well-organised. The course is not too difficult but interesting and certainly scenic.
Date of review: May 6, 2011

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

In short: Hidden gem of a route
In full: You don't expect much from starting and finishing in a buisness park except a very smooth surface. But this event also contains lovely trail paths which twist and turn around a golf course. I don't think it's that difficult a course: in the right circumstamces it could have PB potential. Possibly too hot for that today but I enjoyed it all the same. I don't understand why there were so few runners. It's very beginner-friendly too.
Date of review: April 25, 2011

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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		40%

In short: Tough but rewarding
In full: I thought I would, but I found that I don't mind four laps. It's reassuring to be able to spot the landmarks as you go round again and again. The legendary lady at mile 4 (not wearing a bib - is she even a marshall?) was really pumped up. I also enjoyed seeing 'petrol station lady' running backwards and forwards in slow motion somewhere after mile 3. Some energy drinks at one of the water points would have been helpful in the second half of the race. If you have to do twenty miles before a marathon, this is a good one to do.
Date of review: March 15, 2011

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

In short: Not as bad a route as suggested
In full: I like this half marathon as it seems to have everything. It's not the hardest - long stretches are flat or enticingly downhill - but nor is it too easy. The two hills are each a challenge in different ways. The scenery is great of course: on a fine day, as Sunday was, you do notice and can enjoy it (a bit). I didn't see any problems with cars as others have reported, but I do think the first water station is too far into the run for some, especially thirsty types.
Date of review: March 9, 2011

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

In short: Stodgy sludge
In full: You will either love it or decide never to return. What's on your feet will be a big factor in your view. I will return but better forearmed (fore-legged really). The hill at mile 5 isn't really worth speaking about as it's over in under a minute, but what follows is most definitely memorable. I gather they call it Hadleigh Downs, no doubt on account of a runner called Hadleigh who lost the will to live hereabouts. A girl behind said loudly and in desperation: "I just want to run" as we slithered and slipped over a couple of miles towards Leigh on Sea. The remainder of teh course from mile 10 is easy going but calls on all the strength of the legs. Finishing is all: a great achievement and enormously satisfying.

Very well organised by the way - I appreciated the double dip at the jelly babies.
Date of review: January 23, 2011

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

In short: A toughie
In full: It's then slowest 10k I have done by a fair margin, and it's not hard to see why. Lovely scenery but very tough in at least three places. I think this would be a great spring or autumn course as the heat in the exposed areas doesn't help the strength-sapped runner. Apart from that, a great parking spot and a lovely local event on the village green added to the occasion. When I read the race instructions I felt this would be well-organsed and it cetrtainly was. Thanks to all the marshalls for standing outside in very hot conditions.
Date of review: June 27, 2010

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

In short: Fair course for the Chilterms and very beautiful
In full: Well, I did like it, as promised by the publicity. It's a challenge in that the ups and downs and tracks and paths mean that you cannot run your quickest but it's not that difficult a run. It seemed to be well-organised, and well attended by the locals as if the village regards it as a village event. The prizes were awarded by the local lord which gave it a little kudos. I will be back, but why is it on the same day as the Wargrave 10k, another secnic run and only about 12 miles away?
Date of review: June 13, 2010

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

In short: Varied course but quick
In full: I enjoyed this one. There was quite a crowd but, after a few minutes from the start, this caused no impediment to proper running. The terrain was a bit up and down, but the variety was good - I liked the gravel path near the end - with some pleasant rural stretches. I think it is a fast course. The organisation was excellent, as I expected from this club. Will return.
Date of review: May 5, 2010

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