My Event Ratings

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

In short: Tough, wet, very muddy and great fun.
In full: The hils were steep, the mud was knee deep and there was even a little refreshing drizzle. It's hard but enjoyable. If you like Tough Guy, you will love this.
Really good T-shirt and "medal", presumably made at the local pottery.
I suppose it is a bit expensive but I doubt if you can run round the Land Rover testing track any other time so a special experience.
Date of review: October 12, 2009

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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: Very good for a new event
In full: Good course, challenging in places but not too hard for first timers. I train round the area quite often but it wasn't as swampy as I expected after the recent rain. Plenty of course markers and marshalls and very good showers and lockers in the sports centre.

I just wonder why an off-road event had to start at 9 a.m.
Date of review: September 13, 2009

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

In short: Not enough mud but good for the first time.
In full: Not as hard as I expected but reasonably challenging. One bit was a bit dull, upa nd down the same field but It's probably difficult to squeeze 10 miles into a relatively small area.

A bit pricey but with all the marshalls, signs and tape, it was bound to be expensive to organise.

Very grateful to have proper showers and changing rooms and the guy who dropped me off at Stratford on the way back.
Date of review: July 25, 2009

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

In short: Challenging but achievable.
In full: A tough course but not suicidal. Excellent marshalls and course marking. Even I couldn't lose my way and I can get lost crossing a room. Hard climbs and swift descents but mostly fairly dry underfoot. The most fun I've had off-road since the Sodbury Slog. I would recommend this to anyone unreservedly.
Date of review: July 20, 2009

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

In short: Tough but fun
In full: There seemed to be more than 800 feet of climbing but worth it for the view at the top. A bit cooler and less humid up there too.
The start was delayed by the carnival procession but that wasn't a problem, glad it wasn't raining though.
The river crossing was very welcome, pity it didn't come about halfway.
Apart from the procession, there were other carnival attractions so something for the family to do while you're running.
Date of review: June 28, 2009

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

In short: A good start for a new event.
In full: Perfect weather helped, a bit warm but with a slight breeze to keep it comfortable.

A few gradients, some boggy bits but that's what trail running is all about.

Lots of marshals, signs and arrows so you would have to try hard to get lost.
Date of review: May 24, 2009

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

In short: Muddy and hilly but good fun
In full: Quite challenging but a nice low key start after a long lay off.

I thought the organisation was good but this was almost in my back yard and I train in the area often so didn't need any directions.

Decent T-shirt but only XL and the hot drinks providers were packing up after I'd changed. My fault, I'll have to run faster next year.
Date of review: March 15, 2009

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

In short: Harder than I remembered!
In full: There seemed to be longer queues at some of the obstacles but perhaps there were more entries or I was just further back.

The last descent was very steep and slippery and best tackled sitting down and the following climb was on all fours.

Goody bag included T-shirt, snacks, water, fruit juice and a £5 voucher for a local shop and all for a reasonable entry fee. Urbanathlon please note!

This wasn't as hard as the Tough Guy but quite hard enough. Great organisation and supportive marshals all the way.
Date of review: August 31, 2008

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In short: Once is enough
In full: Having dropped out in 2007, I was determined to finish this year. It was very hard in the heat but at least the water was warm. Annoyed again by those pushing past when there were bottlenecks - these weren't people destined to win so why do it?
Had some help especially second time through the Anaconda when one of the Spice Girls gave a step up to the rest of us. I came in last, just behind them (it would have been ungentlemanly and unsporting to putsprint them).
I've got the medal and I'm proud of that but now I'll keep to easy things like marathons!
When I say that it's elitey, I wouldn't recommend anyone to do this without a lot of offroad experience and some weight training for arms and shoulders would be very beneficial.
Date of review: July 28, 2008

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		60%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: £38 for a bottle of shower gel!!!
In full: Good fun and not too demanding but far too expensive. Average medal, OK T-shirt and a bottle of shower gel in the goody bag. I don't see how they can justify the price so definitely wouldn't do it again for that reason alone. The waterslide was great fun though, wouldn't have minded going back to do that again.
Date of review: July 13, 2008

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