My Event Ratings

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

In short: Surprisingly tough but good atmosphere
In full: I found this really tough despite it being billed as a flat fast course! I finished in 1:21:28, having started fairly close to the front of the orange wave, so I had no difficulties with having to get past people (although there were a couple of people who felt the need to elbow past me and my husband). I actually did contact the organisers to tell them that I thought I would finish in around 1:25, having signed up the day after last year’s event, when I had predicted that I would finish in 1:35-1:40 – so you can change your wave if you let them know in enough time. I would suggest that they have more starting waves though. To avoid the traffic, we drove down to Havant and took the train to Southsea station and walked the rest. We had no train delays in either direction and it all worked very well, so those of you who got caught in traffic might want to consider using the stations around Portsmouth as park and rides next year. Loved the medal and liked the fact the small t-shirt was actually small! Also loved the support and the bagpipe band. Only thing I didn’t like was the fact that they were giving out huge bottles of water on the way round – it was such a waste. Cups are better. Loo queues weren’t too bad but that was an hour before the event - guys please use the urinals if you can and leave the loos for the ladies – we can’t choose! I also wonder what happened to 8000 entrants and think that there should be a system of transferring entries if you can’t run. Took 8 minutes off my previous 10 mile time, may run it again in a couple of years and will run it more slowly so that I can enjoy the atmosphere.
Date of review: November 3, 2011

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

In short: Well organised local race
In full: I live in Fleet so couldn't not do this one really. It's well organised and the support is good. £10 for chip timing and a medal is good value. It is mildly undulating but nothing too painful, although harder work on the second lap. I got a PB so was happy. Well done to Fleet & Crookham AC and if you ever have problems organising it again, ask your local running clubs like Hart and Cove to help to make sure it happens. We don't want another 2010 with no race.
Date of review: October 23, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Good atmosphere
In full: Last year I did this race, got a stitch and had to run/walk it, so it took me 50 minutes. This year I finished in 38:22, came 17th and was delighted. The medal was the same but came on a 2011 ribbon. You got bottles of lucozade and water at the end.

The race is quite undulating but nothing too horrible hill-wise. There was just one water station at the 3k mark, I think they needed another one as it was very hot. There were enough loos, as there always seems to be for ladies-only races. Other organisers, please note.

I also like the fact that you can buy a t-shirt, it's not included in an inflated entry fee so you have the choice as to whether to have one or not. Although it's cotton I bought one as they are a nice feminine shape.

All in all this is a good race. The only thing I would suggest is maybe offering some food at the end - bananas and a chocolate bar?

Definitely a beginners' race and a race for those stepping up from 5k fun runs. But there were some club runners there too.
Date of review: September 24, 2011

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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		80%

In short: Despite wasp sting and hills, got a PB!
In full: Very friendly well organised race and great value for money. Encouraging marshalls and plenty of water.

Yes it has hills but they are all fairly short/sharp with lots of downhill bits and flat bits. I amazingly beat my PB by well over a minute.

I got stung by a wasp at the 3k mark but the first aiders sorted it out for me at the end.

Although I like getting medals I thought the numbered picture was a lovely touch as a memento.

Spectators could buy tea and cake and I got cake too at the end. Yummy coffee and walnut - just hit the spot after a hard run!

Altogether a great race, well done Teignbridge Trotters.
Date of review: September 18, 2011

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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		80%

In short: 5k race: Took 6 minutes off last year's time
In full: I did the 5k at Alice Holt last year when I hadn't been running for long, and I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to do it again to gauge my improvement since last year. My 8 year old did the 1k race for 5-8 year olds and got a water bottle for being in the top 20.

It was wet. And the horrible hill was horrible although I did run up it (last year I walked). The rest of the course is flat or downhill with a couple of minor inclines, so don't be scared by the hill.

Nice to get a water bottle and a medal; my only gripe was the change to the lace-on chip tags from the wrap-around-the-ankle type - they're a real pain to get on!

But overall a great race and I will be back next year. And maybe possibly even to do the 10k.
Date of review: September 10, 2011

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

In short: What goes up must come down
In full: I was really worried about this hills in this race but I needn't have worried. The race was run in the opposite direction this year, which may have made a difference, but although there was a long slow slog of a hill there was enough down and flat to make up for it.

This seemed to be very much a club runners race with a lot of very very good runners. There were scouts selling tea and cakes and kids' races - the kids all got medals for taking part.

Which brings me to my only criticism. We got a mini-beer tankard as a memento. It's nice, but I would have preferred a medal.

Definitely recommended though and the hill should not put you off.
Date of review: September 3, 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		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Review for 2011: lovely scenery, horrible hill, great medal
In full: This is a very scenic race, but you're unlikely to get a PB - I was about 9 minutes slower than usual, although I did have a stitch and fell over too! Mostly offroad, one killer hill, but the rest is mainly downhill or flat. The medal is great. The only thing I don't understand is why they make you run around the field at the end, when it's about 300m over 10k? Why not have the finish as you come back into the field? Otherwise, really great organisation, encouraging marshalls and good value for money.
Date of review: August 9, 2011

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

In short: Very well organised race
In full: This is fairly local to me but I haven't done it before. The organisation was great. Any race that offers a medal and a chocolate bar at the end gets my vote. It was hot, and the course has a couple of hills, so I was well outside my PB but I would do this again. Well done to Sandhurst Joggers.
Date of review: August 4, 2011

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

In short: Good girls' night out
In full: I've said "maybe" to doing the race again as I would probably do others next time, but I would recommend this race for beginners in particular, as well as ladies who want a good night out. The organisation is very good but as someone else mentioned, I would have expected a little more in the goodie bag for the price (although I fortunately had a discount code). You get a running vest and a medal and it did seem as though they listened to the feedback they received on Facebook from last year, so no doubt it will be even better next year. All in all a good event but probably more for beginners/those wanting a night out than the serious runner.
Date of review: July 20, 2011

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

In short: 2011: fab race despite the weather!
In full: I travelled to Glasgow from Hampshire to do this race and really enjoyed it. It's a great event for beginners and more experienced runners alike and as so much of it is a gentle downhill or flat (yes there is a hill in Pollok Country Park but it's over quickly) it's a great course for a PB, which I achieved. I'd recommend it.
Date of review: May 17, 2011

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