My Event Ratings

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

In short: A decent course, just a couple of organisational glitches
In full: Generally a decent, if low-key event. It was interesting running along the canal and even the road running was generally not too impacted by traffic. Well marshalled and good "goodies" at the end. Plenty of parking right at the start - toilet numbers were just OK for the numbers competing but will need more if it gets a bigger event. Two organisational points (1) the mile markers were massively off (by up to 0.2 of a mile) - didn't matter to me as I was running with a Garmin but those without would have had no idea of pacing (2) giving out water in bottles was a nice idea but the tops were very hard to remove
Date of review: January 24, 2011

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

In short: A great race to start the year
In full: Very much a no-gimmicks 10 miler, over a surprisingly hilly but varied (woodland, country lanes, downland, suburban roads) course. Well organised as far as parking and all key aspects were concerned, very well marshalled. The two-lap format actually helped as you knew what was coming second time round. The weather, cool but not cold and reasonably dry under foot, was ideal.
Date of review: January 4, 2011

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

In short: Friendly local event which I would certainly do again
In full: This was a classic English small running event, very well organised and run in beautiful countryside on a lovely sunny day. The venue for the start/ finish was ideal and the event was well marshalled, the only blight being a few inconsiderate drivers, but that's a fault of this country, not this event
Date of review: October 17, 2010

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

In short: A good event, despite the conditions
In full: An ideal "long training run" for the Dublin marathon. The course was scenic (though running across the airfield in driving wind and rain was testing to say the least) and the organisation good. Well marshalled and much kudos to their ability to stay cheerful despite having to stand out for so long in terrible conditions. Only minor suggestion is that the pre-race instructions might be a bit clearer on directions as to how to find the site (but perhaps that's just my route-finding skills)
Date of review: October 4, 2010

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

In short: No gimmicks, just a well organised and testi
Date of review: August 22, 2010

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

In short: A hard but really enjoyable race
In full: Everything about this race is just right each year. Ample parking and toilets, friendly yet ultra-competent organisation, a hard but fair course in beautiful scenery. If you don't like this one you don't like trail running...
Date of review: August 2, 2010

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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		80%

In short: No gimmicks, just a very enjoyable race
In full: An excellent on-road race. Having the start at the village fair made for an excellent atmosphere (with easy and close parking). Very much a no-gimmicks rural road race. Organisation was excellent and scenery was beautiful (excluding half a mile beside a main road!!). Nice to have a race on a Saturday.
Date of review: July 19, 2010

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

In short: Very tough course but beautiful scenery and well organised
In full: Certainly a tough and hilly half marathon but a very enjoyable event. The organisation was both efficient and friendly, with numerous water stations and helpful marshalls. An extremly scenic course and an event that I will certainly do again.
Date of review: June 7, 2010

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

In short: Well organised, but "hilly" rather than undulating
In full: A very enjoyable race - the course was certainly challenging with a number of hills but that just made it more interesting.

Very good organisation - and credit to the organisers for re-scheduling after February's freeze out. I have never done the "old route" so can't comment on that but I doubt that it would have a better starting location than the country park and the almost traffic-free road on which it started.

All in all an excellent event and one that I look forward to doing again. Must also mention the friendly marshalls/ water stations, who added to the day's pleasures.
Date of review: May 31, 2010

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

In short: Beautiful route, great weather, challenging but not too challenging
In full: Fortunately I was slow enough not to be caught up in the great "misdirection" incident so I have only good things to say about this event. A beautiful course and a classic example of a small, friendly and enjoyable off-road 10K. Today was the sort of event that makes running in the English countryside such a pleasure.
Date of review: October 4, 2009

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