Latest Ratings
| 21 to 30 of 46 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 |
2011 Canterbury 10
 | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: shame about lack of attention at the finish
In full: Great support of marshals and spectators along the route - locals and friends of other runners made a great effort even in the more remote parts of the course.
A real pity that there wasn't any water, fruit or jelly bean/babies at the finish especially considering the distance run.
The finish itself was a bit deflating, tucked away in a muddy lane, surely a final sprint across the grass to a Finishing line/banner would have been easy to have arranged - with bottles of water and fruit in same field.
Only knew about the memento because i had a bit of wait after finishing, went into the sports hall to find a drink and noticed the mugs being handed out in a corner. Not easy to notice once the hall became crowded or if you had no need to go back into the hall.
Shame that by the time those at the back of the race had finished there wasn't even anyone at the table and all mementos were boxed up underneath and it was left to other runners to point them out to people.
Date of review: January 30, 2011
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2011 Benfleet 15
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: This is a three bath race
In full: Didn't find the hill at 5.5 miles as hard as it had been described by the organisers or last year's posts but turn the corner and two miles of mud, some knee deep, leg sapping monsters.
Marshals were so good, encouraging and supportive. Many had run the route the previous day - thanks guys and ladies for all your help and churning the mud up to a nice consistency for us :)
Safe to say this is a hard challenging run and it will take several washes to get clean. Particularly liked the pile of mud soaked trainers left, abandoned on top of one of the refuse bins.
Date of review: January 23, 2011
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2011 Bromley 10K
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: |
In short: Try events with a running club connection
In full: Most reviews refer to short distance and poor organisation it is a pity that this spoilt the run for many.
Unfortunately the Bromley 10k was not organised by or connected to any of the local running clubs, so no reason to call on Bromley and Blackheath Harriers to sort things out however there appears to be demand for a local 10k at this time of year in this area so perhaps some of the local clubs may take note and organise something for next year.
I would always recommend that you check runners world for reviews of previous events by organisers and whether or not they have a connection with or support of a running club.
It is also worth noting that parkrun organise a free to enter, timed, 5k run every Saturday morning in Norman Park, run entirely by volunteers with a regular attendance of over 100 runners of all abilities. It might be muddy or even snowy but always good fun and very well organised.
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/bromley/
Date of review: January 18, 2011
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2011 Winter Tanners
| | 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: Big smiles, no bling. Wonderful event.
In full: Did the 20. Haven't walked this distance for a few years never mind run it so this was a first step into new territory.
Managed to get lost whilst plotting the route onto my OS map but glad to say that the directions were spot on very easy to follow and actually had no need for the, map or GPs that i had spent all week preparing.
Very relaxed event - you just turn up between the hours set for registration tell the registrar that you are going - and go. Simples!
Beauty of this is that people of all abilities leave at different times so you always seem to be running, walking, suffering alongside others with no thoughts about your time or theirs because you have no idea if they set off an hour before or after you.
So cheap to enter - of course you don't get bling in the form of medals and T-shirts or a marshal telling you to go right or stop the traffic - but you do get 'looked after' plenty of drinks and food at the checkpoints which are manned by enthusiastic volunteers. You also get the fantastic camaraderie of other entrants.
The route was very well thought out - although suffered a little from the recent heavy rain and thaw which flooded rivers and turned fields into muddy quagmire's but that all added to the fun and when the sun rose above the tree line on Boxhill with dew and frost glistening below it made you realise why it was worth getting up in the dark and cold to venture out into the surrey countryside. 30 next time!
Date of review: January 11, 2011
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2011 New Year Box Hill Knacker Cracker 10k
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Somewhat deflated
In full: After spectating last year I had really been looking forward to starting 2011 on a high and enjoying a fun but challenging run around Boxhill, taking things easy and running with my wife for a change.
Thanks to all the marshals - great support and help. A pity that the organisation left a less than memorable feeling in our minds.
This is a view from the back of the race.
Last year there seemed to be a great spirit with runners passing through in little groups, mainly due to the staggered start times, slower runners were always in a group with others not stretched out at the back of the event like they are in most competetive events. The new massed start and having to head downhill before then going back up seemed to have killed that spirit off.
This added to all those at the back 'missing' out on a T - shirt and 2011 medal to take away on the day spoilt things, now i know how my wife feels at most events, finishing after all the drinks and food have gone and feeling as though she is keeping timekeepers waiting, hope they stayed to record the last finisher who was still running the last half mile when we were on our way back up the hill to the car park.
The organiser's will post the medal and T shirt later but it is not quite the same as having something to take away on the day.
Comments have been made here and elsewhere on the rising cost of Trionium events and whilst agreeing that they have always offered great value and good memento's in the past care has to be taken to ensure that everyone entering - including those at the back benefit and leave feeling that they have contributed to a great event.
Date of review: January 1, 2011
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2010 Mince Pie 10
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: There was a big hill at 7 miles :)
In full: Very well organised event, worth the drive down from London. Glorious views helped by the good weather.
First 3 miles appeared to be up most of the way, great downhill between mile 4 and 5 followed by that hill a cunning little thing that crept up without too much notice and a cheery smile from the marshal. Turn the corner engage low gear and up we go, then another corner and up again and just as gearbox starts to grind up again.
Thankfully goody bags were well stocked with snacks and plenty of mince pies and fruit around to refill with afterwards.
Nice medal, there appeared to be two designs - those finishing at the back getting a different one to those in the first 200.
Loos a little sparse and we couldn't hear the nice lady organisers pre-race pep talk apart from a few words - MUD. HILLS, she was right!
Will definitely do it again
Date of review: December 12, 2010
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2010 The Three Molehills
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% |
In short: Thanks Adam
In full: A very brave gesture to come back on and apologise, one which reflects the true person who I expect gives a lot back to the community from his passion for running.
Sometimes you need to step back a little - this wasn't your race, Adam's or your team's it was an event organised for the benefit of all who entered and took part.
Pity you made reference to the 'cold light of day' - It was -5 when my wife and i set off at 5am from London to get to Denbies to volunteer for this event, and didn't get much warmer for those marshals standing outside :)
Date of review: November 29, 2010
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2010 Bexhill Seafront Half- Marathon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fast wet fast
In full: Slight confusion with registration, originally due to be in the park but due to waterlogged ground this was moved to a nice marquee on the promenade, catching out a few people who had run this event before.
It rained - quite heavily. I didn't fall going down the ramp to the seafront but was on my knees on the 4th lap going up it.
Took 6 minutes off PB.
There was cake at the end. And chocolate coins - although failing to mention this point to my gluten free, wet, hungry and non cake eating wife went down about as well as telling her that I had left her raincoat back at the hotel before the start of the race.
Might have enjoyed it more if the sun had turned out and I wasn't suffering from a throat infection.
Hats off to the marshals though who stayed out in the rain for hours waiting for the final finishers, Mark and Robert, well done for sticking with it and finishing.
Date of review: November 16, 2010
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2010 Maidstone Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A race of two halves
In full: Pre - warned about the trek to the start so came as no suprise but that said it didn't create any sense of anticipation or build up to the event which, if you were at the back of the crowd, you dont realise is starting until you hear the hooter.
First 5 - 6 miles along A20 not as bad as I expected, the narrow paths and little space for passing helped me to settle into a nice easy pace.
Second half of the race was much better along rolling country lanes, none of the hills too hard.
Finish area a little chaotic, with people crossing pathway in front of the finishing funnel and nowhere to then go and rest and wait for other runners afterwards without getting in the way or cold.
Fruit, recovery drink or energy bar at the end would help bearing in mind, car, warm clothes, food and hot drinks are a reasonably long walk/hobble away after running 13.1 miles.
Given list of sponsors the bag at the end was very poor, perhaps an apple - reflecting the insurance company sponsors logo and a discount voucher from the sports shop might have bulked it out a little.
Date of review: October 18, 2010
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2010 Petts Wood 10K
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: So good I wish I could have gone around twice
In full: Not many better ways to spend a Sunday.
Very close to home but the route opened up parts of South London I wasn't aware of making this a really enjoyable trail/road run.
All the good bits:
The sun didn't really start to shine until i had finished making conditions nice and cool for the run itself and warm enough to sit out on the grass resting afterwards.
The route - slightly challenging, a few nice hills, lovely forest trails and minor roads with a railway bridge thrown in just remind you that the centre of London is only 30 minutes away by train.
Marshals - great support, wasn't quite expecting to hear the split time being announced by someone lying in the brambles at half way.
Start was very well organised - with the time pens making the first few KM less crowded - apologies for not fully adhering to the intended pause between groups but I blame those to my right for sneaking off and breaking the tape first
Slight gorilla gender confusion, certain he was a she but whatever nice one Woody ;)
Spectators - First Class. Especially the crowd at 7k - you could hear them all the way through the woods. lots of locals out in their gardens clapping and most drivers showing great consideration and stopping for the marshals on the road section.
Almost ran a PB - slight miscalculation and brain misfunction at half way split made me think i was not going to do it - so i eased off, settled into a nice pace telling myself the route is hilly, not made for PB's and enjoyed the views.
Quality gong at the finish, Ms Woody distributing bananas and the ladies from the local hospice serving tea and cakes. The PB can wait.
Date of review: October 11, 2010
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