My Event Ratings

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

In short: A smashing run with just the odd fault carried over from the year before
In full: The half marathon runners need to set off at least 50mins before the marathon runners. Still had the same problem with back markers slowing us down on the first lap. God knows how much time the leading men lost trying to get thought the hoards jopggers milling around the grounds of Cardiff Castle.

The extra carb station and the pouches as opposed to paper cups was undoubtedly a change for the better.
Date of review: October 11, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: What a way to start my vacation in Wales
In full: Looking for a fast 10k, I finish up finding a course with a 100meter climb up a hill to halfway, and then back down, so if you want a PB you can forget about this course.

Still very well organised, accurate kilometer markings on the road. Two water stations in just the right place, and a wonderful friendly atmosphere.

By the time you have finished, you can be certain you will have pretty much tested your body to its limits.

I'm even thinking of going back to Wales for a holiday next year I enjoyed it so much.
Date of review: September 5, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: An enjoyable day out
In full: Only gripes were the conjestion at the start, which cost me around 30 secs, also I wouldn't call it flat. Also the distance, seemed a bit dodgy at least three runners with Garmins who I talked to clocked it at over 13.3miles. Still what the heck, it was all for charity, and had a great family atmosphere. Might get the wife to do it next year, as I missed my PB by over 4mins.
Date of review: August 3, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: I am not a whinger but...........................
In full: I find it amazing that after running a race on the same course since the
1933 the organisers still cannot get the mile markers in the right place.
As it a five mile loop then it is impossible to mess up on the start finish line,
after that they've only got four more to get right, but still managed to cock up.
As many use this as a benchmark for the FLM, it would be useful to reassess
their positioning, as there is no way I am capable of doing sub 6 minute miles
in the middle of a 20 mile race, and the statisical data I was hoping to gain
from this run as prepararion is not what I was hoping for.

Also please get rid of the plastic cups. I and several others I have talked to
are willing to pay the extra to get bottled water. I was well and truly dehydrated
by the end, not helped by water stations handing out cups which were only
about 1/4 full (I kid you not).

Apart from this I really enjoyed the race, and hope to be back next year to
sort out the two Hillingdon runners who I overtook early on, and who breezed
past me on lap four.

Date of review: March 15, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Far tougher than I had expected. The long gradual haul at aound 12 miles, although npt steep, was unexpected and hurt.. I will pay more attention to the contour map next time.
In full: Could do with bottled water, as they do at the Stevenage HM. Spilt most of mine. Good job it wasn't a hot day.

Still mamanged a PB, totally remarkable on a course like that. The road was so muddy for the second half that it felt more like a x/c. My new trainers are ruined!
Date of review: February 7, 2005

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great race to run off the Xmas Xcess. Gets more popular every year.
In full: A 500 runner sell out this time.

The frozen road surface in sheltered areas, on an far from flat course made it a bit of a struggle. No wind but pretty cold. If you managed a PB you were doing very well.
There are easier courses than this one, but it's all about kicking the body back into gear after the festive period.

Date of review: December 29, 2004

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: An above average event
In full: A bit on the road, a bit on the footpath, and a bit through the woods for 5 miles, and then you do it all over again. Not totally flat, and a bit twisty, but what the heck if you get a PB.

If I had any complaints, it would the number of roundabouts in Peterborugh. Not an easy race to get to if you don't know the area. Give yourself lots of time to get there.
Date of review: December 6, 2004

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: FVS have shown yet again that they can put on a damned good show
In full: My only criticism was that the spacing for the drinks stations was OK for a Half Marathon, but I really did struggle after the 16 mile watering hole, on the second lap.

Also got lost just before the 13 mile point where I switched off and turned right down the wrong underpass. No blame to FVS, but it’s amazing the stupid things you do when you switch off. Turned out to be my slowest mile of the race. You could put a marshal there, but you cannot take account of every idiot in the race.

Was impressed by the organisation last year, even more impressed this year considering there were two races, and so many running.

Why only every ten years when you’re so good at it?

Date of review: November 8, 2004

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Smashing event, that needs the odd tweak to make it even better
In full: Mustn’t moan too much, as this was an excellent event, but I think it focused too much on the larger Half Marathon(HM) to the detriment of the full Marathon(M).

I have to admit setting off the HM’s 30 mins ahead seemed a good idea to me before I started, and between 5 to 10 miles I found overtaking the backmarkers very
motivating. However, after that there were just so many, they had fast become a pain in the arse, and possibly added as much as a minute to my finish time.

If both events are to get any bigger, and I think they will, the organizers have got to set off the HM’s a least an hour before the M’s or else we will finish up queuing to get out of the castle at the halfway point.

On the plus side, the water stations were the best I’ve ever seen, and the finish in the Millennium Stadium, was superb.

Date of review: October 6, 2004

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Good race to go for PB. Broke 90mins for first time despite weather. Results should have carried running club names alongside.
Date of review: September 8, 2004

Report this rating to the moderator