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		60%

In short: Tough start but fast finish
In full: First km is hard with a large hill but thereafter it's gentle ups and downs and you get to go down the hill at the end. The result is a faster course than one might think. A nice village green type of event with tea and cake stalls, burger and beer bar. Smooth organization and all in a good day out. Worth doing. And the 10:30 start makes it accessible to those of us who take the train.
Date of review: September 13, 2009

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

In short: I did the 30K trail option and enjoyed myself
In full: I didn't get lost like others did but there was one place where I think I went wrong and added a couple of miles. Have to say though that signage was a bit lacking in a couple of places. But I don't really mind because the fantastic scenery and atmosphere made for an enjoyable day out. Good start venue, supervised baggage stow, enough loos (that's a first at an event), plenty of water and jelly babies. Not an event for racing, more for trundling across some gorgeous rolling countryside and taking in the views.
Date of review: August 9, 2009

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

In short: Excellent event!
In full: Picture-postcard scenery along the Thames, smooth organization, flat course, secure baggage and not too crowded. There's a reason why this one sells out months in advance.
Date of review: July 26, 2009

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

In short: A decent enough first outing for this event
In full: Nice venue in Beale Park, fairly flat course with good pb potential although some parts were a bit uneven underfoot. Smooth organization, but a couple of action points - a kit tent and about 10 times as many portaloos next time please. A pleasant evening out.
Date of review: July 8, 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: A pleasant way to spend an evening
In full: Nice course through forest and along fairly good trails, nothing really nasty underfoot. Some short sharp climbs. A very hot day but shady for most of the route. Extra water station laid on, which was much appreciated and the sign of a well-organized race. Big goody bag and nice medal. 209 events tend to be good low-key and efficient races and this was no exception. I enjoyed it.
Date of review: June 30, 2009

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

In short: A tough race
In full: A great course, mixing country lane, trail and in places shaded woods. Several big climbs that sapped the legs on a baking hot day. Coupled with a village green fete to make a pleasant morning out in the fresh air in a lovely part of the country. A pretty good first effort by the organizers, my only gripes being not enough loos and the year not indicated on the medal or ribbon. But thumbs up from me and I'd do it again.
Date of review: June 28, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: A real test and a thoroughly eccentric event
In full: The toughest course I've ever done - up and down the Box Hill escarpment. Those steps ... . A real test of fitness and determination, but by no means impossible if you've prepared properly and treat the course with respect. Glorious views from the top, and some surprisingly long and flattish stretches to get some proper running in before the hard grind of yet another 1 in 2 gradient. The course is also well sheltered, so foul weather wouldn't put me off. Superb atmosphere, a real party on the run, a sense of all being in it together and a convivial host and race director in Dr Rob. Flawless organization, including a great picnic spread at the finish line. Loads of water stations and jelly babies en route. A special thanks also to the marshals and water station helpers. Top marks all round from me - I thoroughly enjoyed myself and will be back next year. Oh, and a corker of a medal, a real cracker.
Date of review: June 20, 2009

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

In short: Fast and flat and pb potential on the right day
In full: Good venue and as others have said, a flat and fast surface and course but somewhat uninspiring, twice round a rowing lake. That said, the time seemed to pass quickly and it was enjoyable enough. Exposed to the elements, so if the weather is foul or hot there's no shelter or shade. Nice medal. Easy to get to by public transport, good baggage store. A bit disappointed that the chip time started with the gun, not crossing the line, but the results were up by the time I got home - impressive. A pleasant day out.
Date of review: June 6, 2009

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

In short: A great town-centre race
In full: A fine race - starts and finishes in the town square, excellent loo and other facilities in the vicinity, loads of folk out to watch and the locals seemed happy to have us. This is the only race I've done where the mayor was handing out medals in his chain of office! Near the railway stn, which is important to us non-motorists. I liked the course, which was varied enough to keep it interesting, both in scenery and profile - the ups in the first 3K were noticeable but not killers. An excellent goody bag (medal, T-shirt and a cotton shopping bag). Only very minor gripe is that the year isn't shown on the ribbon, but I can live with that. Great finish atmosphere, plenty of pubs and cafes, and this emigre Cornishman was pleased to see a pasty shop just 200 yards from the line - the icing on the cake, really. I'll be back!
Date of review: May 31, 2009

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

In short: A fine event
In full: A surprisingly green and wooded course, apart from a few pavement sections. No huge inclines but as ever, over 13 and a bit miles you're going to have some inclines. But as it's a circular route what goes up comes back down. Excellent organization and an amazing goody bag with medal and T-shirt and other things for one of the smallest entry fees around. Also an excellent start and finish venue. It was a hot day, so I certainly appreciated the abundance of water and sponge stations. Definitely one of the best events around.
Date of review: May 10, 2009

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