Latest Ratings
2008 White Horse Half-Marathon
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, great atmospher, fast, scenic race
In full: Only downside was the mug. Aesthetically, artisticaly, informatively challenged. Medal please instead next year
Date of review: April 7, 2008
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2008 Hogweed Hilly Half
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The Ron-Seal of the running world
In full: Can't fault and would not fault. From the fre pre and post race masages, through the polo shirt in the goody bag, from the start organisation to the finish, from the warm, friendly stewards, marshalls, helpers and food organisers, from the route through to the description, everything was as advertised. Great, stunning, beautiful, challenging course with a small field of runners of all abilities, age groups and sizes enjoying the freedom and excitement of a good distance event. Thanks to all concerned for a very memorable day. Big city events nearby could look and learn form this tremendous race. Well done the Hogweeds. B and B eat your heart out
Date of review: March 31, 2008
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2008 Bath Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Some improvements on previous years but some big organisational disappointments
In full: Okay, +ves, Id come back to Bath expecting cups at the water stations, but they now have small, runner sized bottles, well done. In previous races no sports drink, but now Lucozade sport, great ide, but not the last one 600-800yds from the finish. Marshalls en route, fantastic, crowd support great and good commentary at the finish.
Opportunities 1) Find somewhere else, even on road for the runners village, baggage area etc. How many times must the rec turn into a quagmire before it's sorted. Start /finish funelling is inadequate to and from the rec due to the size of the field. Using on road(see Paris/Chicago for good examples) could solve this. Some very unhelpful marshalls in teh rec and jobsworths around the start who a) did not have information or were b) surly and were just following orders, no explanations. Better commentary and advice re-late start and timings to get to the start would have been good. If you can't move the village I suggets reducing the number of entrants or you will spoil a very worthwhile, distinguished and long running half-marathon
Date of review: March 17, 2008
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2008 Adidas Flora London Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Unique setting, great build up race, exposed but fast
In full: Numbers seem to be dropping, probably due to weather history. Not best place for spectators. Welll organised, but lacked buzz of previous years. Surprised caterers in restaurant packed up so early, commercially folly, methinks, as many people wanted shelter and warm food/drink at the end.
Date of review: March 10, 2008
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2008 Llanelli Waterside Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great marshalls, fairly well organised, fast course
In full: Lot of +ves: Marshalls, finish area, loos, speed of course, friendliness, good parking, ease of access. Couple of gripes/observations. Stated t-shirt size on entry, noted they were being collected pre-race and my size and above had all gone so left with M, no doubt a popular size but where were the L's etc. No medal, which I would prefer to a too samll or indeed any t-shirt as a lasting memento. Last water stop at the bollard with the 180 turn...not clever. Bit of a breezy day, good course and I'll be back to better my time (weather permitting)
Date of review: March 3, 2008
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2008 SiS Longleat 10K
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Glorious setting, well organised, great spring run
In full: As good as I remembered from last time, nice commentary at finish, good friendly bunch of runners, very welcoming, nice day if somewhat nippy and icy but a great little tester of a race. Nice touch engraving available at the end, especially for all thos first timers
Date of review: February 11, 2008
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2007 Cardiff Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great potential, good day out but organisers could do better
In full: It was a great day but let's echo and get rid of some negs before listing the pos, which are many. Mile markers, saw all from 2-13 inclusive, but was pacing and looking for them but they were too small. Not enough people giving out the drinks. Not enough loos start or finish. Struggled to find where to put my chip at the end and chaos leaving the castle. Would have been better to have the activities further back and a barriered/lane controlled/roped exit to stop the funnelling from the sides. Now the good: Great atmosphere, good crowd support in most places. Well marshalled by cheery bunch of volunteers, thanks to them all and well done,enough drinks stations, reasonable goody bag, and the deputy race director commentating at the end waqs giving heart and soul into the job, good effort. Plenty of activity at the end, with lots too see, lots to do and a few more giveaways. Weather was kind, the atmosphere was great. Good to hear the HASAW announcement at the start ref. runners with mp3's etc. V. sensible. Sort out the detail and this could turn from an average to a great race in a short space of time.
Date of review: October 14, 2007
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2007 Swansea Bay 10k Race And Fun Run
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Does what it says in the script
In full: Fast flat race, only two speed ramps. Run back along the front is stunning(more so on a clear/sunny day) Reasonably well organised. Goody bag and amount available to put in a tad excessive. Would prefer lower entry fee. Could not believe some of the freeloading going on and multiple bag grabbers...aaaaargh Great course, good crowds, despite the weather and every chance of a PB in this fast and friendly race. Access and egress always a problem here and must be stressed more in the literature. I travelled wuite far to this race, knew the pitfalls and just about left enough time. People without local knowledge could become croppers if even 10 mins out on the usual get there one hour early advice as gridlock starts earlier due to fun runs etc. Will be back.
Date of review: September 23, 2007
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2007 Macmillan Tree Trot 10K
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Beautiful and well organised 10k with definite pb potential
In full: Too cheap for a charity race trying to raise funds. Worth at least £4-£6 more with the same organisation and goody bag. Most marshalls smiley and supportive. Tracks well directed and good support en route. Glorious surroundings at an entry fee less than a day ticket! Wow. Good mix of runners and lots of encouragement. I'll be back and perhaps by that time running with a partner who was converted at the event.
Date of review: September 10, 2007
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2007 FRESH'N'LO Great Scottish Run
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised mass event. Good atmosphere, great PB potential
In full: Pulse start helped with getting into rythm. Quite a few turns and narrow parts which did cause a bit of congestion/pace change. More than adequate drinks. Well organised finish and reasonable goody bag. Do not agree with sending out finishers t-shirts in advance and would have preferred one I could wear in public. Sikh community great demonstration of positive integration, putting out water stations, support and a big team all wearing t-shirts stating proud to be a Scottish Sikh. Many could learn from them. Good humour on the back as well. Oh that the Hassidics in New York could take note for example. Good banter and mutual support on the way. First time I've run it and will certainly be back. Well done to the organisers but I believe such a good and big event deserves wider recognition and support.
Date of review: September 2, 2007
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