My Event Ratings

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

In short: Excellent new offroad marathon, hard but worth it!
In full: Tough ascents and descents throughout the course, but stunning views wherever you look. Well supported by marshals and the public.
Lands on a busy weekend in the local race calender, but I'll be back for more soon.
Date of review: September 17, 2012

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

In short: The hills are still steep and sandy!
In full: 18 seconds slower than 2 years ago, I must be geating older.. With lots of climbing this was never going to be a fast course, but the challenge is what keeps me coming back. Love this part of the Surrey Hills, the views make it all worthwhile.

Date of review: September 9, 2012

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

In short: Tough, but good fun
In full: Some tough rutted tracks, and heaps of mud. This is a hilly course, with little on the flat. A great sense of achievement on finishing.
Thanks to the organisers and marshals for a great day out
Date of review: May 9, 2012

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

In short: Good use of the forest!
In full: The new course made good use of both the made tracks, and some fun single track paths through the trees. As it was dry the made paths were firm under foot, which made running the downs a lot like running on road, as I found out having enjoyed them on the first lap!
Good facilities, and not overly crowded considering there were 700 entrants across all distances.
Will do it again, but take it easier on the first lap.
Date of review: April 3, 2012

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

In short: Great marathon prep
In full: Very well organised race, with encouraging marshalls.
The course is rarely flat once it leaves the airfield, but there's nothing too bad. Plenty of water and gels/sweets around the course.
Nice touch being greeted by the RD on the finish line. Recommended
Date of review: March 26, 2012

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

In short: A fast and flattish half placed well for a spring marathon sharpener
In full: Very well organised race, had everything about right, but it suffers from being a lead-in race to spring marathons - most runners lost in their own little world. Good for pb chasers, but a little soulless
Date of review: March 26, 2012

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

In short: Like running through a hilly bowl of porridge
In full: Great organisation, and a challenging course. Many thanks to the organisers and marshals.
I'm told its a beautiful area, when the clouds haven't descended, and I believe it. Appalling weather conditions made this event even more difficult. I'm looking forward to coming back next year, being better prepared for the conditions.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: Probably my favourite event of the year
In full: A small and very friendly event, meticulously planned and executed. Despite the multiple loop format, the course isn't boring. In part due to the tricky footing on the trail sections, and the opportunity to greet fellow runners at different points on the course (and keep an eye on who's catching who). A well stocked checkpoint at the end of each loop, and the RD joining the runners were the perfect finishing touches. More goodies than you could shake a very large stick at, mean this event lives up to it's claim "Having completed lots of marathons we believe we know what it takes to put on an enjoyable marathon". Would not hesitate to return next year - but probably just for a single day, my legs want a divorce..
Date of review: December 11, 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: A great event for a good cause
In full: More challenging than your standard charity run, this course should keep even seasoned racers happy. Certainly hilly, and a good mix of terrain.
Good marshaling and plenty of facilities.

Date of review: November 6, 2011

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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: Lovely village race, with the whole community behind it
In full: I read somewhere that Barns Green doubles it's population on race day, and I can well believe it.
Quite a crowded start, but then I was just along for the miles, so started near the back. Despite the up and down of the course, it was still quick, and none of the hills were enough to bring you to a stop.
Good marshaling, plenty of water, and a nice event village. Great support from the locals who turned out even in the drizzle.
I'll be back one day, to try for a silver medal - preferably when I haven't already run a half earlier in the day.
Date of review: October 31, 2011

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