My Event Ratings

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

In short: Downhill and flat for the first 10k ...!
In full: If it weren't for the bottlenecks in the first couple of 'k', I'd say this could be the race with the best PB potential I've ever done. Loved every minute of it and still got a PB out of it anyway, as an added bonus! Also, in this day and age where meagre goody bags seem to be the norm, this one was unbelievably generous - best ever!

Terrific atmosphere made up of excellent support, great bagpipes and a stadium finish where you got the added fun of cheering in the marathon finishers afterwards too!

This was definitely worth the long trip up to the highlands to do!
Date of review: October 14, 2007

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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: One of the most picturesque races I've ever done
In full: Loved every minute of this and will do it again next year for sure. Certainly one of the most scenic races around.
The sunshine today was an added bonus. Perfect!
Date of review: September 30, 2007

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

In short: Terrific 10-miler
In full: Made a last-minute decision to do this one and so glad I did. It was a very enjoyable race with terrific marshalls every one of them. Surprised when I realised I'd achieved a PB on this as I'd walked up a couple of the hills/inclines (and to my shame, they weren't that bad really! Just a too-sociable night last night meant I had to take it steadier than normal!). A smallish field, with a friendly atmosphere and very well organised I thought. Would do it again and would definitely recommend to others.
Date of review: September 23, 2007

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Overall score		20%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:

In short: Would NOT recommend the relay here
In full: I can see how this may have been excellent for Half and Full marathons but this is the first year they have included a relay apparently and it was definitely an 'afterthought'. Having to each make our own way to/from changeover points which were miles away (the assumption being each one of us would have a car with us I think), with the useless map we were given, part of the way back was via lonely trading estates and next to busy,noisy ring road for a long way - terrific. No medal, no nothing (despite doing the equivalent of half marathon with all the extra miles of lonely walking included! Surreal ... did we actually take part?! Paid entry fee and ran with others in part of it, so must have done! Nothing to show for it now except a migraine). They really need to get the relay part better sorted. I usually enjoy most of the races I've done and have nothing but positive comments. The leg that each of us did was just fine in itself, it was the uneasy 'displaced' feeling that ruined it for us, which was a real shame. Not a patch on either the Edinburgh or Dublin relays. None of us would ever do this relay again.
Date of review: September 16, 2007

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

In short: Spectacular scenery, a monument around every corner it seemed!
In full: Enjoyed this very much and thought the marshalls were excellent, really cheerful and encouraging. Unbeatable views whichever direction you looked too, which the sunshine enhanced further. A few undulations here and there but nothing too bad really and the breeze was very welcome!
Date of review: September 2, 2007

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

In short: An excellent 5k race series
In full: Apart from the long long queue to collect number and chip, all went very smoothly after that. Friendly, relaxed atmosphere and a nice course with a few twists and turns to make it more interesting. Even got a PB last night (third time lucky!).

I've thoroughly enjoyed this summer race series and I hope it runs again next year - I'll definitely be signing up again for it!
Date of review: August 31, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Not the easiest 10k I've done but still very enjoyable
In full: Knew this wasn't going to be a PB-potential race based on comments from previous years. Someone had commented on the "punishing uphill finish" and today I experienced exactly what that meant!! The uneven grass and shingly areas (a bit like running through a quarry!) meant I spent half of the time running with my eyes on my feet rather than the scenery but when I did manage to look up I noticed the surroundings were lovely. The tarmacked sections were a relief, where I could make up for lost speed again and I was very grateful for the company of a friendly runner for the last 4k, which really helped me finish the race enjoyably - even with that punishing uphill finish!!

A nice relaxed atmosphere which made a challenging 10k very enjoyable. Well done to the Bourne Town Harriers and a big thank you!
Date of review: August 27, 2007

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

In short: My favourite 5-mile race
In full: What a great atmosphere! Wonderful support from marshalls and villagers alike, especially near the finish just to help accelerate you over the finish line that bit faster! This race does not have that killer hill from the 5k version in it, so it makes for good PB potential. A well-organised and friendly 5-miler that I'll definitely be back next year to do ... and hopefully get a new PB!
Date of review: August 18, 2007

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

In short: Faultless - I'll be back next year!
In full: Top of my 10k favourites list now. Lovely scenery, nice atmosphere and flat for most of the route - one incline/hill from 5-6k with a well positioned water station near the top of it - and a great downhill finish! Can totally see why this race has so much PB potential.

I thought 2 water stations (there was also one between 3-4k) for a summer 10k was ideal and they kept me going the whole way (along with the encouraging marshalls). Thoroughly enjoyable race.

Date of review: August 12, 2007

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

In short: A nice race but could do with starting earlier - way too hot!
In full: Appreciably the organisers can't control the weather(!) but a 10am start (or even slightly earlier) could have made the race much more enjoyable in my opinion. I just about took in the very pleasant route (while struggling under a strong midday sun!) and the marshalls were all excellent.

The good quality sports bag was a fantastic race memento, so much more useful than a medal.

I'd definitely do this one again next year if it had an earlier start.
Date of review: August 5, 2007

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