Latest Ratings
| 11 to 20 of 29 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 |
2011 Bewl 15
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Superb, faultless organisation & a very scenic, challenging route
In full: My second time at Bewl. The weather was almost identical to last year. Despite that, there is plenty of shade around the lake. Some challenging ups & downs in the last 5 miles. Fantastic scenery, fabulous cakes & entertainment and faultless organisation are all the right ingredients to make this one of the best events in a Runner's calendar. I've done a few, and none match this for the organisation. Superb! A credit to the Race Director and all those involved in making this an event not to be missed. Many thanks to them all. Just do the training and you can cope with the distance! I may be back
Date of review: July 5, 2011
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2011 Three Forts Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Superb scenery, good facilities and organisation
In full: With beautiful weather, the course is just stunning. The scenery is inspirational when the pain kicks in. All off road on dirt tracks with a few challenging hills. Good 'feed' stations and well marshslled. However, some junctions good benefit with signage as no clear guide. The facilities and refreshments are a bonus. The cakes and bisuits at the end very welcome.
Only a slight disappointment in that there are no prizes in both distances for 2nd and 3rd overall and only a prize for V50 category. this is a real shame as nearly all other events recognise 1st, 2nd & 3rd overall and increasingly the various 'age' categorys aswell. Although not everyone participates in events to get a prize, it could have an impact on people deciding to enter or not. This is more pertinent when you know that you have put the effort in to be amongst the prize winners if they existed, but to come away with nothing for that extra effort. Having said that the medal is very good. Not a moan, just a point of interest for the orgainsers to perhaps consider.
Thanks to all the organisers, helpers & assistants for the events. A great day!
Date of review: May 3, 2011
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2011 Hanham Horror 6
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Excellent marshalling, good value, friendly race, tough climbs!
In full: 1st time at the 'horror'. Tough climbs and descents with steps up & down. Very dry this year, but could be tricky in wet, muddy conditions. Good range of prizes and good to have showers, changing & refreshments.
Only a slight mistake with results & prizes upset the day at the end. people got prizes they shouldn't have and those that were eligible, didn't get them. However, i'm sure this will be corrected for future years. Other wise, superb all round.
Big thanks to all the organisers, marshalls and other helpers for making this an enjoyable, small, friendly event. And big thanks for the very vocal encouragement by the Marshalls on the last hill. Fantastic!
Date of review: April 27, 2011
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2011 Asics Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent organisation & marshalling & good race village. Undulating course.
In full: A very well organised and marshalled event with great support in the first part of the race. Not a scenic course until the latter half of the race when on rural, traffic-free roads. Not a particularly good course for a PB as quite undulating with inclines at 11, 12 & 13 miles, although a fast downhill to the finish. Good race 'village' providing bag storage, refreshments, medical tent, etc. I'd recommend this race for 1st-timers, but not PB chasers as not ideal for that.
Good range of prizes catering for all age categories. A model for other event organisers to follow.
Thanks to all involved in making it a successful event.
Date of review: March 22, 2011
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2011 Ryde 10
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Windy, hilly, twisty course with traffic, but well marshalled and signed
In full: Thanks to all the organisers and the Scouts for the arranging and supporting the event. My 1st time at this race. Very windy and a few hills to test you. A lot of traffic for the first few miles. Nice medal and facilities. Changing and showers are always a bonus.
Helpful suggestion; please can a PA system or loud hailer be used when making important announcements prior to the start of the race. Only the few of us at the front could just about hear the speaker! maybe a chair to stand on to project the voice as a cheaper alternative. Thanks again.
Date of review: February 9, 2011
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2011 Portman Somerley 10K
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race to start the year but needs rethink on merging the 2 races
In full: Well marked and meandering course with a bit of up and down and mainly on slightly muddy trails. A good race to start the year. Thanks to all for the organisation.
Perhaps a rethink on merging the 10K and 5K races for the future is required. On the 2nd lap of the 10K i was surprised to confront so many of the 5k participants. I had to weave in and out of them all, which was frustrating and at times potentially dangerous. Many of them were walking across the paths & had no awareness of the faster runners coming through. At one point i had to dodge some cars coming up the hill and small children walking/running down the hill. Not good when it is a very narrow road and when running fast. This also happened at a few other points on the course. Perhaps starting the 5K much later after the 10K or routing it in a different direction would overcome these issues or the Marshalls controlling the flow so that the 5K participants are kept to one side of the route. Just helpful suggestions. Once again, many thanks to all for the organisation.
Date of review: January 4, 2011
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2010 The Three Molehills
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor signage and marshalling tainted what could have been a good event
In full: Having partaken in the Denbies 10 event earlier in the year i had high expectations for the 3 molehills race. We had 2 teams entered for the relay. Sadly, upon arrival we had a feeling that proceedings were not going to go well having encountered numerous issues during the morning.
Comments have been expressed regarding the Marshall misdirecting people. That was ONLY ONE of the many faults that i personally encountered. Amongst the others; very poor route signage and many of the helpers and Marshalls not knowing the route of the course or being able to direct me to the Vineyard after the extra mileage when i asked them!!
I was one of those front runnres who did double the distance for leg 1 and was deeply affected by events on the day. I came away disillusioned and demoralised by what happened. Whilst i appreciate the tremendous efforts of the organsiers, marshalls and helpers in staging the event, i cannot simply ignore what happened. Until it happens to others who have commented about 'just a few front runners being affected', then they will never experience how profoundly it can affect people. Particularly given that our overall estimated time would probably have given us first male team place overall and that we all gave maximum effort in trying to achieve that. Clearly, the results will never be accurate and therefore the anticipated euphoria and positive impact just does not exist.
Personally, i've had many years of experience in racing and being involved in organising events to know what affect these issues can have on both the participants and the organisers. It works both ways. Perhaps the post-race evaluation will help to resolve issues so that they will not occur in the future, as this could be a good event and gow in popularity.
Having said all this, i do thank the many organisers, helpers and Marshalls involved in staging the even and attending in such cold weather. I know what it is like having been a Marshall, helper, etc. However, they must accept responsibility for the many faults and realise the impact it has had on those affected by the faults.
No doubt these commments will generate repsonse from others. But, as i mentioned, until it happens to them and they experience the affect it can have, then they will not know and therefore cannot provide a balanced and fair view.
Date of review: November 30, 2010
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2010 EXMOOR STAGGER 14
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Superb; scenery, weather, cakes, showers & a very tough course
In full: First did this event in 1999. That was the old course. It has changed a lot since then, but is still very tough, particularly as the distance is nearer 16 miles. The weather made the pain more bearable. The scenery is stunning as are the cakes & sarnies at the end. Superb range of prizes and very good organisation and marshalling. Access to the facilities makes it more enjoyable. Knowing that hot showers are available is a bonus. Only minor issue is that on 2 sections of the course there were no markings and no Marshall. I followed my instinct and got back. Maybe needs final checking in future or Marshalls to stay at their assigned post. Many thanks to all the organisers and helpers for committing the time and making this a thouroughly enjoyable event. I may be back!
Date of review: November 4, 2010
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2010 Hankley Halloween Hustle 10
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very well marked, excellent marshalling, nice halloween touches & challenging course
In full: A very good start to an inaugral race that was very well marked. No issues with guessing where the route goes. Very clear. Mildly challenging with a good mix of terrain. No fancy refinements at the end, just raw racing typical of most good x-c events. However, perhaps category prizes, hot drinks and a little food would be a bonus if the race is to develop in the future as this would probably attract a bigger field and make it more atmospheric. Some people prefer this, others like the 'raw' element. Nice to see all the children out contributing to the event and shouting encouragement whilst dressed in halloween custumes. Well done to all. I'll be back and will encourage others to enter. Thanks again to everyone involved in making the event happen.
Date of review: November 1, 2010
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2010 Surrey Slog Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging course in beautiful area and well organised.
In full: First time at this event. Saw it rated highly in RW and decided to 'give it a go'. Superb course with plenty of challenging ups and downs. Mostly run in shady areas and on wide open tracks. Road shoes OK for this if weather has been dry for some time. Well marked course with plenty of drinks stations and Marshalls. Simple medal to finish and in the grounds of a local School with toilets and changing facilities makes it an event to mark on the yearly calendar.
Two minor suggestions for constructive feedback;
1) the 'crossover' in the last half a mile wasn't very clear as to the direction to the finish. Thankfully i guessed where it should go and was right. However, a clear sign pointing the direction with a further sign before the car-park crossing by the road would be a great help to make the route clearer. One could easily have taken the track off to the left instead of going straight on. Someone else was pointed in the wrong direction by the Marshalls and did an extra mile. Not good when you have already run almost 13 miles on a tough course.
2) It would be good to have 'age category' prizes in addition to the memento. I don't do events for the prizes, but it is a good way of recognising achievement, particularly in tough events such as this. It may also encourage others to take part who wouldn't normally.
Hopefully, this race will gain in popularity as it really is one not to be missed.
Thanks again to all the organisers, Marshalls and helpers for putting together a superb event. I may be back!
Date of review: July 19, 2010
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