My Event Ratings

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

In short: Not an easy race in that weather
In full: First of all I echo the sentiment that this race would be better held in the spring, or perhaps in September when the weather is kinder as despite some deceptive inclines there is definite PB potential here.

Very well organised as I would expect from Grass Roots events but there needs to be some cut off point for accepting on the day entries. I'm not sure I get these people who turn up 15 minutes before the start expecting to still be able to register.

Nice touches were the raffle at the start and the announcement that there was a gentleman of 81 competing in the race - an inspiration to the rest of us.

Thanks as always to the organisers and the marshals for putting on a brave face despite the conditions.
Date of review: November 24, 2009

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

In short: Not quite as muddy as I was hoping for, but a very enjoyable event
In full: My first time at this event and certainly not my last!

Not as muddy or hilly as I was expecting or hoping(I like my off-road races to be a challenge!) but still quite a demanding course.

Well organised and lots of friendly and encouraging marshals which made the event even more enjoyable.

Good value, and a nice t-shirt but I was surprised they advertised the t-shirts as being generous in their size - I asked for a medium expecting it to be more like a large but it was a bit too tight. Fortunately there was someone willing to swap, even if he may have felt awkward spotting the fat man in a too tight t-shirt!
Date of review: November 16, 2009

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

In short: Shame about my performance, but the event is top notch
In full: This was the scene of my personal best time last year but no such glories this year. Too much time spent enjoying the cricket must have caught up with me...

That aside, this proved again a superb event, I really can't think of any areas where it could be improved. Fast flat course in pretty Wiltshire countryside, friendly marshalls and spectators, clear instructions and directions, good range of abilities and having it at the sports centre makes it a nice day out for family and friends.

Fantastic value at £15 which is a big plus in these straitened times and for that we got a nice goodie bag with sweets and a drink, plus an excellent technical t-shirt. (If you entered one of the larger events you'd probably have to pay £15 for the t-shirt alone).

Well done Chippenham Harriers, see you again next year I hope.
Date of review: September 14, 2009

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

In full: Fairly enjoyable run through some pleasant countryside and villages. Gently undulating course with some PB potential. Good mix of abilities and a friendly atmosphere. Liked the glass of cider at the end but could have done with a bigger glass! Excellent value at £6, not sure I would travel all the way from Swindon by myself to do this one again but in a group I definitely would.
Date of review: July 14, 2009

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

In short: Can't say anything I didn't say last year...
In full: I've just looked back at my comments from last year and think I said it all then.

Virtually a carbon copy, except my time was down a few seconds (probably due to a stitch in the last two miles) and I liked the fact that we got the same t-shirt but a different colour.

Only slight gripe was a lack of toilets but I'd rather the entry fee was kept down than the organisers having to hire portaloos.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support, it made the evening even more pleasant, and especially the enthusiastic marshall who gave me so much encouragement at mile 7!

The only reason I've marked it down for beginner-friendliness is that when I checked the results there were only a handful of runners coming in over 2:30 so slower runners might be intimidated by the slightly 'clubby' feel of the event.

See you next year.
Date of review: June 29, 2009

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

In short: Start was a disaster, but still a very enjoyable run
In full: To be fair to the organisers, the route had to be re-designed due to a motorway bridge no longer being in existence, meaning the start line had to be moved forward.

Unfortunately this meant the start was very crowded and congested, and judging by my offical time vs my watch time meant it took about a minute to cross the line (although I couldn't make out precisely where this was)! It also meant I was unable to get any speed or momentum in the first kilometre, which should have been faster as it was downhill.

These problems notwithstanding, a very enjoyable midweek run and I agree with one of my club members that the new course is an improvement with more twists and turns.

Full credit to the organisers as well for providing a useful and interesting memento in the form of a kit bag, which makes a change from yet another t-shirt or medal!
Date of review: June 11, 2009

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

In short: Easy to see why this sold out so far in advance
In full: It's easy to see why this race is so popular. With some of the big city half marathons charging an entry fee in excess of £30 it's no surprise more people are preferring an event that only costs £8 in such straitened times.

Very flat course, disappointed I was a few seconds outside my PB but enjoyed the run which is the most important thing. Very well marshalled and supported for a small local event.

Liked the design on the mug more than the last two years and the option of buying a race t-shirt is excellent, I nearly bought two as they were of a very high quality and again a steal at just a fiver.

Thanks WHH for an excellent event, see you again next year.
Date of review: April 7, 2009

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

In short: Come on Gloucester AC, you can do better than this
In full: Used this as a warm-up for FLM as I did in 2007, and as there aren't too many 20-mile races about this race serves as excellent preparation.

Weather was far from ideal but the course is fairly flat and scenic and my fellow competitors made it a memorable event. Thanks to the gentleman who kept me going in the last few miles and the nice young lady I chatted to on the walk back to race HQ!

However, there is plenty of room for improvement regarding the organisation. Receiving a race number with no indication of which event it was for was hardly an auspicious start, nor was a pre-race briefing which most of us couldn't hear.

I understand that Gloucester AC have received complaints from locals about competitors running more than two abreast, but if you need to get past a couple already running two abreast, how else are you meant to do it exactly?? I've never seen 'yellow cards' given out in a race before.

On the plus side, good value but I wouldn't mind paying a bit more and getting a nice goodie bag. And surely it might be worth investing in a better finish line? 20 miles deserves more of a celebration!
Date of review: March 25, 2009

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

In short: Really wish I didn't have to wait another year to run it again
In full: I find it hard to add to my own comments for the last two years or the other comments on here.

Comfortably my favourite half marathon, the fact that I always register my slowest time for the year here notwithstanding.

Some might query why I rate it so highly on beginner-friendliness, but my rationale here is that if newcomers came to this one they would see how a race should really be organised and the glorious scenery, jelly babies, friendly runners and marshals, slick organisation, excellent value for money and goodie bag would be more than enough to tempt them to sign up again.

My only complaint is that I have to wait a year to do it again - is there any way this could become a bi-annual event??

Thank you Hogweed Trotters for such a marvellous event and a great day out.
Date of review: March 24, 2009

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

In short: My first time at the Terminator and I'll be back!
In full: I'd heard a lot about this race and wanted to give it a go for some time but unfortunately it had always clashed with the Bourton 10k. Problem solved this year as I didn't get in.

Really enjoyed the event and glad I chose to do it. Certainly not a PB race, more one to use as a good training run and for enjoyment.

More mud than I expected and very nearly lost my trainers early on! Must remember to secure them with duct tape in future. The hills were certainly tough, but the views from the top made the climbs worthwhile and gave me a salutary reminder just how lucky I am to live in a part of the world that boasts such wonderful scenery.

Very friendly atmosphere among the runners and fantastic support from the marshals. Lovely selection of cakes and very impressed with the car parks provided for such a large number of attendees. Liked the pre-race briefing.

Well done PVRC for a great event - I wouldn't be surprised if I chose this over Bourton in future.
Date of review: February 23, 2009

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