My Event Ratings

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

In short: Hard but worth it
In full: Only criticism was a slightly late start due to runners still coming in when registration was due to close.

Otherwise everything went really well and I can only blame myself for being slower than I had hoped.

Very lucky with the weather, warm but not burning hot and stunning scenery.

The winners must have been even more chuffed to get their trophies from Joss Naylor.

If this is held again, do it, but with plenty of hill training first!
Date of review: May 21, 2007

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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: Hard but fun
In full: I've never seen a hill like Trooper Lane, even in a fell race. Really hard, difficult underfoot in places but very supportive marshalls and good hot showers. Special thanks to the Bacon Buttie Brigade.
Date of review: May 6, 2007

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

In short: Challenging but fun
In full: Difficult at the start with narrow paths. Hard to see all the rocks and tree roots. Some challenging climbs and descents but some quick, flat sections.

Really good showers at the end and I'm looking forward to drinking the beer.

Loads of supportive marshalls and tape marking the course in between so virtually impossible to get lost.

I wonder what it would be like with a week of rain on the course. I would wear my fell shoes if that happened.
Date of review: April 14, 2007

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

In short: One of my favourite places to run.
In full: I thought this race was better than my score might indicate. I didnt really notice the scenery en route but the surrounding fells are stunning, especially on this warm spring evening.

It is a bit hilly but coming down them, I really got into my stride and was flying, by my standards although the last climb was a challenge.

There were knots of spectators round the course who were enthusiastic. Un fortunately, running through the town centre, the local chavs were out. Strange how people who talk so much about "respect" have so little of it for others.

There were lots of marshalls but I didnt notice any mile markers. Fortunately it was a dry and bright eveing but if it had been cloudy and wet, Im sure many of us would have been finishing in the dark which could have been tricky with the amount of traffic and some tight bends.

No memento but for £3 you cant really expect any. Free tea or coffee and biscuits afterwards and hot showers.

My previous run in Keswick was the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in 2005 when we were blessed with similarly superb weather. I will be looking for more events there.
Date of review: April 5, 2007

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

In short: Flat, fast but tight corners.
In full: A good chance to get a quick time but a very convoluted route with some tight corners.

Few facilities. Toilet block welcome but I had to leave my bag at the drinks table. Most organisers seem to think that every runner has a car to lock their kit in.
The memento was exceptional and the best thing about this race.
Date of review: April 1, 2007

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

In short: I'll be back!
In full: Had a case of runners trots so had to walk/jog the last 3 miles. Course not the swamp I had expected but then it had been dry. Fairly easy hills to start with but then a series of killer climbs around 10-12 miles.

Some people I spoke to thought that a memento would be nice for such a special event and would have gladly paid a formal entry fee rather than make a donation.

I don't usually run races more than once but I will do this one again and try to get it right.
Date of review: March 25, 2007

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Never again!!!
In full: Probably the hardest road race I've done. Not as wet and windy as forecast but hills, hills and more hills.

The traffic was a problem in places although that could have been due to the various stretches of roadworks.

Good T-shirts at a reasonable price and the free tea and home-made cakes were very welcome.

I did enjoy it in a perverse way but I wouldn't do it again. Good alternative to a 20 miler in a marathon build up.


Date of review: March 10, 2007

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

In short: Tough but well worth it.
In full: Deep mud, killer hills and queues for the numerous gates in the first 3 miles. Cold, wet and windy so not much of a view from the top. Awesome marshalls, standing out in that weather and still being very encouraging. Great showers and changing rooms. Free tea, coffee and soup and home made cakes. Good T-shirt not included in the cost but you can't expect it with that entry fee. Well worth doing again, preferably at a walk on a nice summers day.
Date of review: March 4, 2007

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

In short: A lovely way to spend a frosty winter morning.
In full: A good varied course and an opportunity to try my new fell running shoes whgich easily coped with the mud and frosty grass. Only one really tough hill but we were rewarded with the sound of church bells as we headed down the other side.

Lack of distanc emarkers not a problem until I heard cheering towards the end only to find it was a football match and there was still half a mile to go.

Lovely hot showers and clean (before us!) changing rooms.

The coaster made a change although info on this site promised a horse brass. Perhaps I'll have to do it again next year.
Date of review: February 6, 2007

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

In short: Could do better
In full: A definite lack of toilets although having got my number, I went back and the queue had disappeared.
The number of runners is an issue or rather the number of cars which narrowed the road to run on at the start and seemed to cause a lot of congestion.
It's a good course with only the first hill much of a problem but then I didn't really have time to warm up.
Annoyed to hear an announcement about showers after I had changed. No signs to them that I saw. Could do with better catering, there seemed to be mostly non-runners in the queue so I went to a cafe-bar near the station.
Wouldn't do it again because I always want to try different events but I would recommend it to others, just leave plenty of time to get to the toilets.
Date of review: December 31, 2006

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