My Event Ratings

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

In short: Well organised straight-forward race
In full: If you want magnificent views of wildebeest sweeping across the plains then go elsewhere. If you want a simple well organised race on a potentially quick course then do this race. Good marshalls, good organisation, good band and a good location. Minor gripe in the spacing and visibility of the distance markers (if believed I did the 4th K in around 3 minutes) - get some poles and actually put the k markers at the right places rather than on the nearest lamppost. Beyond that though no criticisms, and definitely a better course than previously. If I'm in the area again next year at this time then I'll be back.
Date of review: April 12, 2009

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

In full: A slight delay at the start for some reason. I don't know what that reason was though as I couldn't hear the announcement even though I was near the front - I doubt more than the first 5 rows heard it. Other that that and a lack of toilets, the race was fine with no problems. See you next year.
Date of review: April 10, 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: Great venue, great organisation, great cause
In full: What a cracking day, I wish that all races were this well organised. Not a single word of even constructive criticism, and the shuttles back to the car park were a masterstroke and much appreciated. Already looking forward to next year and hopefully calmer conditions.
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: An excellent addition to any marathon training program
In full: A well organised event, although the baggage drop-off and collection was rather slow and a little chaotic. The course and marshalls were excellent, but I wish it was easier to tell the 10 milers from the 20 milers then maybe I wouldn't be tempted to chase them on the first lap. Mind you, can't complain too much this year after a 19 minute PB :)
Date of review: February 22, 2009

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

In short: Is there a better event than this?
In full: An excellent way to start the new year, like clockwork organisation as per usual, and a great atmosphere. And congratulations to the guy who ran his 200th BPTT today, that's quite an achievement.
Date of review: January 1, 2009

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

In short: Top quality local event
In full: Missed the cavalry charge start of last year a little, but can't do that with chip timing and that's what runners want more these days. The race itself was well organised and well marshalled - can't fault it at all. Well done Wargrave Runners - see you next year :)
Date of review: June 15, 2008

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

In short: Do races get any better than this?
In full: A perfectly organised 10k in a great location and a day out at the zoo afterwards - and all for a fiver less than it would normally cost you just to get in the zoo! Nice to see that the white rhino joined in again this year :)
Date of review: June 1, 2008

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

In short: An excellent well organised race, especially on its first running
In full: Everything went very smoothly, although there appeared to be no attempt to pen the runners within the waves so there were a few slower runners to weave around for the first mile or so, but not too bad. Conditions were dreadful, with the strong winds and rain along The Embankment making life tough and slowing me by around 30 seconds over the first half, and you really had to watch out for the metal manhole covers which were deadly in the wet. The cobbled area (through Leadenhall Market?) was also particularly treacherous. I would also agree about the comment regarding foil blankets. I realise they wouldn't be needed every year, but I think in conditions like those with an event that attracts a lot of new and inexperienced runners they should have them in reserve. Beyond that however it was an excellent first attempt, although we'll have to wait for another day with decent weather when half the field don't stay at home and there are 20 times the number of spectators to see what it's really like, but it has definite potential to become something really good and to produce some fast times.
Date of review: May 26, 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: Excellent straight forward local race
In full: My 4th time at this event and again it was smoothly organised with no dramas. I think the squirrel may have got a little over-excited and sounded the hooter before everybody was quite ready, but at least that will have spread out the field for the couple of narrow gates onto the cycle path just after the start. The marshalls were excellent and very encouraging, and the whole event was spot-on from start to finish. And I ducked under 41 minutes for the first time, which made it even better. Well done Runnymede Runners & Staines Strollers.
Date of review: May 18, 2008

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

In short: Another well organised race, except for the start
In full: Another good Marlow 5 on a scorching hot day. Everything went like clockwork with a great medal and goody bag, but again the start was disappointing. I know it's individually chip timed, but I lined up about halfway back in the 30-35 minute zone yet was passing much slower runners for the first mile. It might help the finish time signs were put up on both sides of the course and also if they were facing in both directions - people entering the start zone from the front simply don't see them, and it soon becomes so congested that people stop trying to move back, even if they do notice them. A minor complaint though for a very well organised race - I'll be back next year and hopefully it'll be cooler so I can break my PB again :)
Date of review: May 11, 2008

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