My Event Ratings

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

In short: A curate's egg of a race
In full: First,the good points.Very good 10K course.Challenging 1st half through country lanes and several steep uphills just before halfway.Fast,flat return along the coastal path.

Good atmosphere at the start and finish and the marshalls were all very efficient.

Good fun run for children before the main race,with lots of encouragement from the crowd.

Not so good:

Toilets inadequate for a field of this size.Needs portaloos at the start/finish area.

1st and 2nd water stations are too close together (they almost merged into one).

The race follows the current trend of making runners collect their numbers on the day.While this saves costs,it also means that the organisers need to be prepared to deal with 400+ runners arriving within an hour so before the race.However,the length of the queue for numbers took about half an hour to get through,which combined with the queues for the toilets,meant no time for a warm-up.
Date of review: July 27, 2010

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

In short: That was hot.
In full: Scorching temperatures meant it was a real test of endurance today and with little shade,it may be worth starting it an hour earlier in future.

The 2nd water station was a long time coming and should be brought forward to mile 6 and sponges would be nice (many thanks to the 2 guys with hoses-I really appreciated it today).

However,plenty of positives-beautiful scenery,mainly flat with gentle undulations means it must have real PB potential on a cooler day (definitely not today though) and an excellent goody bag.
Date of review: June 27, 2010

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

In short: One of the very best races around-and it's getting even better !
In full: Along with the NDR (quick plug-not that it needs it !)this is my personal favourite of all the many excellent Kent races.

What makes it really special is the atmosphere.HHH and the whole village put on a huge effort and the village green on a sunny Summer afternoon,with its food stalls,beer tent etc and nearby pub and village cricket has something for everyone.

I've always felt this is the perfect first race to hook a beginner-as well as everything else,it's very friendly and supportive.

The hot,humid conditions made it harder than usual yesterday,but on a cooler day it can be pretty quick and it's always competitive at the front,with lots of good,local club runners.

Some traffic congestion is to be expected,as the village is only accessible via picturesque country lanes,but the new "one way" system worked well,I thought.

Another improvement this year was chip-timing and the "targets" in the urinals were a nice touch !

Overall-not to be missed.
Date of review: June 6, 2010

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

In short: Liked the new course and venue
In full: So how did it compare to the usual venue ?

Plenty of car parking,plenty of toilets and generally an excellent venue for a race.

On a sunnier day,the surrounding countryside would be superb and the marshalling and water-stations (which also stocked Gatorade)were excellent.

I found the course tougher than the usual one (or I've simply slowed down since I last did it!).No "killer hills" as such,but an awful lot of them and if we weren't going up,we were going down so I'm sure my legs will feel it in the morning.Overall,the course is great-plenty of variety and challenge,with a fast finish.

I probably prefer the new course and venue to the old and maybe there's room for both half-marathons in south east Kent ?
Date of review: May 31, 2010

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

In short: Excellent Spring half,that suits all runners
In full: This is always a "must do" and is undoubtedly one of the best halfs around.

Top-class organisation,very fast course,good crowd support and always a great atmosphere.The spacing of the water-stations is exemplary.

The race has probably now reached its limit.There's only really one road into Paddock Wood,although parking isn't a problem as long as you're prepared to leave the car a mile or so away from the start.The race needs more toilets and one thing that always seems to help is a portable urinals unit and maybe having portaloos in more than one location.

Overall though,it's hard to fault-especially when the weather was as race-perfect as it was this year.
Date of review: April 13, 2010

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

In short: 2003 revisited
In full: I ran this in 2003 in a howling gale and driving rain-and lo and behold it was the same again today !

This is seriously unlucky,as the weather in Kent was glorious all through the last week.


On a calm day,the course is set up for a PB and the scenery,looking out into the bay,is special.

I must have set a "PB" today for spectacularly varied mile splits : the return leg with the wind behind us was exhilarating-I haven't run as fast for years.However,any kind of forward motion into the headwind was a challenge.

Special appreciation to the marshalls,water stations,officials at the finish etc-couldn't have been much fun standing around all morning.
Date of review: November 1, 2009

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		40%

In short: Hugely enjoyable.
In full: My first time-and what a great race.

The organisation and marshalling were excellent-great encouragement and direction all the way round.

It was every bit as tough as I'd been told to expect.Where the sand was still wet,it's actually a good surface to run on.However,the sections on dry sand and broken rock are absolutely leg-sapping.

The atmosphere was great too-very friendly and real "camaraderie".It's very much tougher than a typical half-marathon and "PB potential" is meaningless in a race such as this one.

Above all,I found it one of the most enjoyable races I've ever run-genuinely different,stunning scenery and a real challenge.Personally,I also think Saturday morning is the perfect time for a race-I have the rest of the weekend to recover and can enjoy a "few drinks" tonight without having work tomorrow.
Date of review: October 10, 2009

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

In short: Top class Autumn half.
In full: Excellent organisation,facilities,scenery and support all round the course.

I found it hard today.It was unexpectedly hot and the last 3 miles or so were a struggle,even before "that hill".

The view over the bay is stunning,but it's mentally challenging as the out-and-back sections can seem to go on for ever.

Definitely a PB course if you're in form and a great target race,as it's made for even pacing.
Date of review: September 27, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Low key,testing 10K-well woth doing
In full: I ran in the 10K,although there is also a 5K option.

The course is rural and undulating,which makes it a very enjoyable challenge.

Well organised,with a nice atmosphere before and after the race.A good choice for families because,as well as a 5K and 10K,there were also children's races after the main races had finished.

Love the medal ! genuinely different and one to keep.

One suggestion:the start was crowded,not helped by some inexperienced runners starting far too near the front.I saw at least one faller and the organisers should consider doing what other,similar races have done and starting with a lap of the field (to thin out the runners) before exiting into the lane.

Overall,very enjoyable and worth a visit.
Date of review: September 13, 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		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Hugely enjoyable and distinctive.
In full: An absolutely excellent race.The course is very tough,but the distance makes it manageable.

Amazingly good value,great organisation and a varied,off-road,challenging course.The hill at halfway must be the toughest in Kent-and some of the downhills are exhilerating.

2 points to consider for further improvement:could do with a 2nd water station around 1/3 of the way round and maybe some recognition for 2nd,3rd M and F finishers,first V40 and V50 men and women etc ? Needs only be "token",as the race is incredible value for £7 as it is.

Definitely,a "must do" race and there's nothing else like it in Kent.
Date of review: August 30, 2009

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