My Event Ratings

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

In short: Some Outstanding Points with a some Problems
In full: This was a hard enough race without the requirement to fight for road space for the first 5miles. I run at 6:20 pace as such I was in pen 1 at the blue start, as soon as we were called forward people from higher numbered pens poured past on the outside, leaving me to run, push, elbow my way through at 8min/mile pace for the first 5 miles, why do people do this and why is is possible. It ruined my race until the last mile where the crowds turned the event around for me, so thank you to the crowds you are amazing.
Date of review: April 25, 2007

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

In short: Well Organised, Fast Race with a Excellent Momento
Date of review: April 17, 2007

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

In short: Well Organised, Wonderful Atmosphere, Great Views, Over an Excellent but Hard Course
In full: This is my second and the contrast in weather was marked, last year a wet, misty mud fest, this year dry, dusty and hellishly windy straight into your face almost the whole route, but the hills were as big as I remembered, to finish in the same time as last year! The organisation was floorless again; the atmosphere was excellent everyone encouraging each other even at the sharp end and the cakes at the end were excellent! The trophy I collect was a hand made miniature of the Gibbet a very nice touch. Possibly the best race of the year.
Date of review: April 2, 2007

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

In short: A Quick 20 miler on a Good Course
In full: This is achieves something very difficult a 20mile loop that is reasonably flat making it pretty quick and definite PB potential. The course snakes around quite country lanes (and this years through a couple of fast flowing streams!) coupled with enthusiastic marshal who were very encouraging made it an excellent race. However the facilities at the start/finish just aren't up to the job, which is a real shame. The tents on sodden ground aren't suitable for a 20mile race when many people travel over an hour to get to it, so no gold stars here. I would happily pay extra for showers, changing facilities and bag storage. On a final note the towel memento was excellent and required for the day!
Date of review: March 9, 2007

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

In short: This is THE best Marathon in Britain
In full: PB and breaking 2:55 a side, this is just the best organised, fastest, friendliest marathon on the calander today. The organisation is peerless, my water bottles and gels were on each station as requested and when I missed one a lady brought it through to me on a bike!!! I honestly cannot fault this race, organisers do not change a thing you have made the perfect event.
Date of review: October 23, 2006

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

In short: Some excellent elements, let down in some easy to fix areas
In full: I am writing this after running a massive PB and finishing at the front of the field. Generally well organised and certainly with the best of intentions, the scenery is amazing and hill a good challenge. The toilets where crowded as usual at the start of a race, the traffic into a mass car park was typical (you just get out of bed a bit earlier). There was the right number of water stations and the water was handed out efficiently and the marshals were on the whole encouraging. The only downsides were 1. The half marathon field had to run through the fun run field which was very congested. 2. There were a lot of pedestrians on the river side; a couple of marshals to let people know we're coming would help enormously. 3. My only real complaint of the marshals is they were a little shy, speak up you are there to marshal the public/runners. At the end the medal (good quality) and goody bag (Portman can you please put the race name date on the T-shirt?) were dispensed efficiently and drinks were easily available even help returning the chip. And I got out the car park in 2mins flat. A good day all round, I'm still smiling now.
Date of review: October 9, 2006

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Potentially a good race, but the organisation is woeful
In full: I enjoyed the race but; The marshalls (local teenagers) were being briefed in front of the start a minute after the gun was supposed to go! No wonder they didn't realise what they were suppose to do. One allowed a car to pull in in front of me and a fellow runner and there were pedestrians everywhere (one old lady in an electric buggy, in a gap 2m wide!) without being warned or requested to move for the runners. The organisation is shocking.
Date of review: July 21, 2006

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

In short: Very enjoyable pootle in the country
In full: Fun race the scenery is lovely, no too much traffic, a very pleasant way to spend a summer sunday morning. I woudl recommend this week as holiday to anyone as it is always hot for the race!
Date of review: July 17, 2006

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

In short: Hats off to the organisers and marshalls, you make a great race the best
In full: This is simply superb, the scenery so good you even notice it through the grey haze that is descending through your mind as you reach the top of the led crumbling climbs. The route is the challenge that it is billed as, what amazed me was the exceptional marking throughout, every single root had Day-Glo paint! However the best thing about the race is the people, organisation and marshalling that cannot be rivalled anywhere.
Date of review: June 27, 2006

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

In short: Fun, Muddy, Fun, Windy, Fun, Rainy, Fun, Hilly.....and lots of Fun
In full: I enjoyed every part of the race, the mud, the rain, the hills, the wind, they are all part of the challenge. The organisation was like clockwork excellent buses to the start, great marshalls, who provided excellent support on a rather wet day. The tea and cakes were excellent.
Date of review: March 27, 2006

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