My Event Ratings

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

In short: An absolute delight!
In full: I entered this race on the strength of last year’s reviews, and I’ve got to say this completely lived up to my high expectations. There was a typically good atmosphere amongst the 1,000 participants, despite the chill, gloomy grey morning. The clearly marked route, with large mile markers and two water stations, took us along undulating, quiet country roads, through picturesque hamlets, down a couple of lanes, a short stretch through a woods, before finishing in the 15th Century Ripley castle. With several of the marshals enthusiastically cheering us on and calling out our names or clubs. It was a sheer delight even though the mist deprived us of distant views. There was enough chocolate in my goody bag to keep the whole family happy and we got a sweatshirt too! All this for £11! The only negative was the seemingly rolling start, either that or no one near me (quite close to the front) heard the start. I’ll definitely be entering this again next year, when hopefully it will be a clearer day.
Date of review: November 1, 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		80%

In short: Enjoyable & fantastic value.
In full: After last years reviews I was so keen to enter this I ended up as race number 1! Whilst it wasn’t as scenic as I’d hoped, it was very pleasant running through the woods and fields. But the goody bag complete with a running top was unbelievably great value for just a £10 entry fee, far outstripping other races I’ve entered. The atmosphere was very good, complete with Brass Band, but what happened to the anticipated pianist in the woods?! The numerous marshalls were very friendly & encouraging and the organisation was excellent. I may be enticed to venture across the Pennines again for this next year.
Date of review: October 12, 2010

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

In short: Very Good!
In full: I chose this race because of its beautiful location, and whilst it’s nowhere near as spectacular as the Derwentwater event at Keswick, it’s still wonderful. The almost 1,000 feet of near relentlessly steep ascent out of Coniston - up The Old Man - was torturous, but the views make it worthwhile. And towards the finish there is very pleasant stretch alongside the Lake itself. It was well marshalled, with a party like atmosphere at HQ (complete with steel drum band and ‘Mexican’ waves), and with plenty of car parking space. At £21 I think these Lakeland Trail events are a little expensive compared to some, but the scenery is 2nd to none.
Date of review: October 12, 2010

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

In short: Wow!
In full: This lived up to the reviews/it's reputation – as one of the best races in the UK! There was plenty of entertainment (including musicians & bouncy castle) for the family at the event HQ in the park, which engendered a good atmosphere. The trail started with a very gentle 3 mile climb out of Keswick to warm us up, before it turned into a ‘Fell Race’. My tracking device shows we ascended 1,068 feet up Lonscale Fell with 1,476 feet of ascent over the course. The views over Derwentwater once we rounded the hill and back down into Keswick were the most spectacular and beautiful you can imagine. There were plenty of marshals & markers to ensure there were no wrong turns. I started running seriously 10 months ago and I’ve done a few road & fell races in this period, but nothing compared to the splendour of this. This is what running is all about for me. I can’t wait now for the Coniston Trail race in October.
Date of review: September 7, 2010

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

In short: Loved it
In full: This used half of the Blackpool Marathon route, which I’d only just done 4 weeks previously. But whilst that was a slightly disappointing experience, this was more enjoyable. More spectators along a shorter route created a better atmosphere, and having to only run twice along the ‘Golden Mile’ - past the Tower & Pleasure Beach - made it more scenic. The route is so flat it could only bettered by a running track and there was even a descent onto the middle prom for the finish. With 3,500 participants - dozens in fancy dress - music blasting out at the start and a band playing half-way along, there was quite a party mood. The only goodies at the end were a quality medal & a bottle of water, but then the race is so cheap to enter (£9.50) who cares? The only very minor gripes I have were the congested start and finish, with some novice runners starting way too near the front, and at the finish several of us were grouped together with our finishing time. Overall all though it was a cracking occasion and I’ll probably be back next year, the only question is whether to try and beat my PB or wear fancy dress!
Date of review: May 19, 2010

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

In short: My first ever Marathon, chose it for being so flat, wish I'd chosen one with a better atmosphere
In full: The route proved as flat (apart from a couple of ramps up and down to the lower proms) as I expected it to be. But I thought the atmosphere was sadly lacking, probably not helped by the finish being on the middle prom, below the main road & main prom where most of the public would have been. Also I think half the public will have been holidaymakers who were possibly more intimidated than supportive! Fairly scenic - nice running beside the sea, not as nice running passed all the tatty B&Bs & the gaudy merchandice shops. Personally I didn't mind having to do 2 laps along the same circuit. I would definately choose somewhere different if I was to run another marathon.
Date of review: April 12, 2010

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

In short: Flat, quiet country roads. Markers every mile, Water Stations, pleasant marshalls, route well indicated.
In full: Flat, Quiet country roads, Markers every mile, Water Stations, pleasant marshals, route well-indicated, Medal & Goodies at the finish, Good Atmosphere and a balanced mix of Elite and Novice runners. A lovely event all round, I’ll probably be back next year.
Date of review: February 11, 2010

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

In short: Excellent choice for my first race in a many, many years, but quite a tough route
In full: I choose this event to make my return to racing in nearly 30yrs, because: a) I thought the numbers of entrants (800) would make it a good atmosphere without it being too crowded. b) it was fairly local and c) the timing before Xmas. The atmosphere was indeed very good, and the whole experience so uplifting that it's inspired my girlfriend to think about taking it up seriously too. There were plenty of marshals along the busy roads, who also gave words of encouragement. I thought it was a well organised event, just a same we weren’t ‘chipped’. Personally I found it to be a quite a tough route with two demanding hills, and I wish there’d been mile markers during the first half of the race. That said, I shattered the time I was hoping to achieve.
Date of review: December 14, 2009

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