My Event Ratings

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

In short: Superb from start to finish
In full: All has been said before and I heartily agree. Organisation is floorless, marshalls are exterordinary, value is beyond reproach, route is fabulous, friendliness from everyone and a magnificent achievement.

Many other races should take note. For £25 you get loads of marshalls, many water stations with loads of water, sweets and crisps on route, food at the end, lucazade, a brilliant medal, a race t-shirt that looks great, a car sticker and the race fee includes a charity donation. Its all stunning.
Date of review: June 22, 2008

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

In short: Not as good as the sum of its parts
In full: I'm not sure what it was about this race but I just didn't enjoy it. It was flat, interesting, very well organised, in a good location and with a great medal. But it just wasn't a nice run. The heat didn't help but that's no ones fault.

I think it was the open space and long straights. The view of all the runners who were in front of you was quite depressing and the fact that you could see the whole cause made it feel longer. Maybe its just me and others would love it but its just not for me.
Date of review: June 9, 2008

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

In short: Glad I did it but probably a one off
In full: Expo - So small it was a joke. I tried to look at stuff to buy but the crowds put me off and I left
Goody Bag - Small, didn't really care but wondered where all the entrace fee went
Medal - Excellent
Start - Crowded but not terrible
Support - Really good in places
Route - Seemed hillier that advertised. Wind not organisers fault but would put me off. Scenic in places, not in others.
Crowds - I never got stuck in congestion and could happily run at my own pace.
Marshalls - Great. No problems. And all volunteers were friendly. Thanks to all. No problem with water stations apart from first one which I missed.
Gravel - If anyone missed their PB by 30 seconds or less I say blame it on that nasty gravel at my 17.
Finish - Liked the stadium finish but getting out was dangerous due to stupid exit
Transport - My wife struggled to get to mile 16 to see me and then back in time to watch me finish. The trains were so infrequent and the walk from the station to the route was very hard for her with a 3 year old. Getting back to Edinburgh was a nightmare. The queue for the shuttle bus was so long we decided to walk and find public transport but that took ages and the bus we got took 45 mins to get back.
Overall - I had a good run which always helps but the wind was just annoying and the other bits and pieces would put me off doing it again. If I want a PB I'll try other marathons and if I want scenic, there are better options so it doesn't fit any catagory for me.
Date of review: May 27, 2008

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

In short: More than just a half marathon
In full: I ran the half marathon and found it a real challenge but ultimately very satisfying. Its certainly one of the hardest runs I've ever done and I will certainly be back for more. The pub was great as a start venue, the toilets were good and the food at the end was most welcome.

A couple of things I'd like to mention. Please don't call it a half marathon when its not. I didn't mind the fact that it was closer to 15.5 than 13.1 but I would have carried more energy gels if I'd known. Call it the Coastal Challenge or something.

The car park was an issue. I think its unfair to expect runners to walk up that very steep hill back to the car park after the race. I really struggled. You either need to move the car park or provide a shuttle service (bloke in a van) to ferry people up the hill at the end. I'd have happily paid for the privilege.

These are serious and I'm sure it will be bigger and better next year. I look forward to it.
Date of review: April 14, 2008

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

In short: Challenging, well organised run
In full: A great XC run with an interesting route. I do like a point to point for a change. Everything was well organised from registration, the busses, the friendly marshals, the well marked route and the bag transfer.

It would have been good to have one more water station as I was getting thirsty which is never a good sign.

I would have liked some sort of memento at the end. I do like a medal or a t-shirt. Oh well.
Date of review: March 30, 2008

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

In short: Great established race
In full: The second time I've done this race and it is top notch. Very well organised, lots of friendly marshalls, lots of water stations doing water and squash. A top race.

I would love a T-shirt as well as a medal to show off my exploits and I'd happily pay for it.
Date of review: March 16, 2008

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

In short: Fabulous as always
In full: My 3rd TT (2nd Wimbledon) and superb as always. What else can I say other than brilliant.
Date of review: March 15, 2008

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

In short: Great run for all
In full: I ran this because I was looking for a run for myself, my wife and my daughter. My wife had never run a race before and my 11 year old daughter has just got into athletics. It was great. Well organised, friendly marshall, beautiful course and a great hat at the finish.
Date of review: March 2, 2008

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

In short: Hard work, good value, not great start
In full: An ok course but on unclosed roads which was a little dangerous at times. I'm surprised there isn't a nicer and safer route around Winchester. I did enjoy the hills.

Lots of marshals which was nice. Good value at under £10. My only real complaint was the start. For a large field, the first 500 meters of roads were far too narrow with lots of runners trying to jostle for space. With dangerous posts on the side of the road as well as some badly parked cars, it was a little unpleasant until you got to the main road. Other than that, thanks very much to all the organisers.
Date of review: February 24, 2008

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

In short: Hats off to all involved
In full: A fantastic run. A credit to all involved. Register online, turn up and run for free. Then you get your results on the web page and you can also look at your history of results. I'm off to run the Wimbledon 5K next week.
Date of review: February 23, 2008

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