My Event Ratings

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

In short: Wonderful
In full: Loved it! Great organization, with many nice "100 year bits" before and after. Good fun dinner the evening before - the music hall singer was a whole new experience ;o) The race itself fantastically well organized. Not sure how scenic it was, as it was quite foggy. Lovely marshalls for support, and even though there weren't that many people watching along the route, those that were, were very supportive. A few cruel bits were the 4 miles uphill at the start, the mile of shingly beach from milee 23-24, and my head on-collision with a dog, who had forgotten to look to the left when crossing the promenade - or did he just want to play...??? I quite like the brass plaque as well, and overall it was a special race, which the organizers clearly had put a lot of effort into.
Date of review: December 14, 2008

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

In short: Well organized but a bit wet
In full: And, of course, the organizers can't do anything about the weather. Other than that: very well organized, great support from the marshalls - THANK YOU to them for braving the weather. The course is not particularly scenic, and today it was rather slippy in places, but apart from one short incline really quite fast. Lovely tea and cake at the finish - and I always like a T-shirt!
Date of review: November 30, 2008

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

In short: Lovely day, lovely race, not so lovely hill...
In full: Well organized. Scenic route, helped by the weather - the mist along the river with bits of sun coming through was just wonderful. Not much support along the route, but where there were spectators, they were great. The hill was a bit of a killer, also the rather steep descend the other side of it. But then quick and smooth mild downhill for the remainder, which was good. Overall: a nice race, not exactly PB potential, but definitely worthwhile doing.
Date of review: October 12, 2008

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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		60%

In short: Fast race and great organization
In full: Not quite as scenic as I had expected it to be, with an out and back loop at the start and then a third running of the same stretch in the final 2 km. Supportive marshalls, but too far away from anywhere to have much other support. But these were the only small negatives. Very flat, fast course, very smooth organization and overall friendly atmosphere.
Date of review: August 31, 2008

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Tough course on a scorcher of a day - but absolutely wonderful race
In full: Great trail run, well signposted. Lovely, friendly atmosphere, different distances (15, 25 and 40 k) through the South Downs. Lovely scenery also meant a few challenging hills, and with the scorching heat today it lived up to its name of "Challenge". But it was a wonderful day out, very friendly marshalls at the checkpoints, cheerful welcome at the finish, painful but very effective post-race massage - what else could one ask for? I will be back!
Date of review: July 28, 2008

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: First trail marathon - amazing race
In full: Not sure what to expect, but this was just wonderful. Great organization, very generous supplies at the checkpoints and finish, wonderful atmosphere and support among the runners. It was really rather nice not to be racing, and that getting an accurate or particularly good time was clearly not an issue. Oh, and the breadpudding: to die for ;o) Definitely on the agenda for next year!
Date of review: July 21, 2008

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

In short: Flat, a bit muddy, friendly and just a nice race
In full: Apparently there was a change in course, as otherwise it would have been too muddy. The out and back course was not particularly exciting, and still muddy an gravelly in bits, but that was ok. At least it was nice and flat. Decent support at the finish, not much on the way - but then it was too fast and short a race to pay much attention to that anyway. It felt quite clubby, but it was friendly and I still very much enjoyed it - just a good way to spend a Saturday evening.
Date of review: July 12, 2008

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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		80%

In short: Friendly, sunny, well organized - would definitely do it again.
In full: Well organized race, apart from a bit of confusion at the start, when it was not quite obvious where the 5k runners and the half-marathoners were leaving from. Other than that - very well marshalled. Scenic rout. Not traffic free, but that was not really a problem. A few hills, but nothing really bad. The last 2-3 miles were a definite challenge, as uphill and into a strong headwind, but there is nothing you can do about the weather. I also thought the "goody bag" without a bag was entirely appropriate. Overall: lovely race, I may very well do it again next year.
Date of review: June 22, 2008

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

In short: Very hot, fast route, but not scenic
In full: Phew, that was hot. Still did a good time - must have been trying to get away from the cars. Decent enough race, but could do with some improvements. The start - too narrow, and there should be no need for that on the huge field it set off from (and which, in rain, would probably get very muddy). Certainly no distraction by any scenic elements - lots of busy roads, and it is not traffic free - my training runs are nicer. It does add to the PB potential, though. Reasonably flat, and the finish from hell - I thought I was nearly there once back on the field, and could really have done without the zig-zagging all over the place, without knowing when finally the finish would appear. As it is not visible - how about some markers along the lines of 800 / 600 / 400 metres to go? Other than that - sufficient water, nice goody bag, showers and massage at the finish, I might do it again.
Date of review: May 11, 2008

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

In short: Hot day, fast course, great organization
In full: Amazingly big race for a mid of the week run. Not particularly scenic, but it is still special to run around a motor race course, and, of course, the facilities are great - first race ever with no toilet queues! Very fast course, and very efficient and friendly organization. Would do it again any time. Might even think about the Silverstone half next year, though I wonder if four laps of the course might be a bit soul destroying...
Date of review: May 6, 2008

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