My Event Ratings

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

In short: Glorious route
In full: One of the best scenic coastal courses you could wish to do. No facilities at start of the race but this was made up for by the small field, local runners & very social feeling that the run rewards you with. Came from Bristol in the morning & made very welcome. Concerns at the pre-race brief re:- route following did not prove an issue as this was very well marked with marshalls at potentially tricky points.
Date of review: March 16, 2009

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

In short: If you ignore the distance error a great race
In full: As this was a training run for myself the mileage was not an issue but can fully understand the frustration for people who were going for PB's on this fairly quick course. I too would be livid if I was treating this as more competitive than I had planned. My only suggestion apart from the measurement would be to add a bollard warning sign on the path leading back to the main car park within the first mile. Would not be able to comment on postage or payment issues for the timing chip as I had no problem in receiving mine. Great course, Extremely well supported in Bideford itself & at the point where you join the Tarka Trail, was not expecting a mass turnout of supporters in the rural sections. With 1200 runners it would have been nice if there was a bit of help from the council with the parking charges (Only knew that the long stay cheaper carpark was to the rear of the finish line as we had been out the day before the race - Surely the whole area could have been long stay charges - or less - for the day £2.50) In fairness to BAAC they had advised of the charges. For a tourism reliant town out of season I would have thought an influx of people using the local cafes - & in my case, hotel - would have allowed for subsidised parking. Hope the issue does not allow for future races to be affected by disgruntled runners as this is a charming race
Date of review: March 2, 2009

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

In short: Tough change of course
In full: Bonus Hill (If you can call it that) at the top of the first climb. Very tough hills & even the flatish first few miles were tough going underfoot. Consistently good race year after year
Date of review: February 25, 2009

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

In short: Bargain, Friendly & well Marshalled
In full: Excellent course which was superbly marshalled. Good couple of long slog but very do-able hills. T-Shirt, Photo & free entry to the gardens for a nice walk/warm down. 1st time I have not queued for toilets at an event (I've done 40+) A couple of participants unnecessarily moaning about photo delay. Please take into account a) they were included in the very reasonable entry fee b) problems are inevitable c) They did say pop an SAE in the post & the photos would be forwarded. Well done all involved
Date of review: February 2, 2009

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

In short: Stunning route
In full: An excellent off road race. Glorious route & well organised. No chip timing as advertised but not a major issue. Pre race brief very clear & consise advising of extra length & no mile markers. Could have done with a better goody bag/momento but post race facilities excellent with use of the changing rooms & pool (Appreciate the pool may not have been to all peoples tastes) First time for me on this one but looks like the previous events negative comments were acted upon. Hope to be back again
Date of review: January 26, 2009

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

In short: Saw the Obelisk this year
In full: 2nd time I've done this and I'm starting to take the windy start as par for the course. Thanks to the marshalls for the Birthday greetings. Much appreciated. A great mix of all terrain. As previous comment no goody bag but t-shirt & free soup plus charity donation is a bargain at £10. A big hello to the marshall at the end of the climb. Sorry forgot your name but we do bump into each other once a year
Date of review: January 12, 2009

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

In short: Nice way to keep warm on a chilly day
In full: Of course it was cold, it is winter after all!! Nice undulating course with a few subtle inclines. Can aprreciate why people dislike the walk back but for myself (& I guess a fair few others) it was ideal as a nice warm down. Apart from White van man I - Can't speak for others - found no other drivers annoyed at our presence, after all it was only for the first part of the race where the road was probably cleared of runners within the 1st 10 minutes. Nice to see that the organisers made there way around the HQ to keep people aware of the delay & the reasons behind it. Note to runners - Please turn up early if you are entering on the day. The club site does recommend pre-booking although I do appreciate that due to the time of year this could be one of those races you decide to do on the day. Me being one of them. Many thanks to the marshalls who must have had a chilly day.
Date of review: January 5, 2009

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

In short: Very Enjoyable start to the year
In full: Lots of moorland undulation with a final tough climb before returning to the start. Great little memento which would be good for a race in which there was an entry fee let alone a freebee. Hope the charity donation box was bursting at the seams.
Date of review: January 2, 2009

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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: Still got mud behind the ears
In full: 3rd time & a lot, lot wetter. Shame about the course change & missing the lake/bog but great to see that a very good alternative (A couple of miles of ploughed fields) Extended river excursion at the end was a bonus. Shame on you those who took the easy river bank option
Date of review: November 10, 2008

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

In short: Tough
In full: Good mix of mud & rock. Granted there were a few fallers but this was not advertised as easy. Only suspected that 20K was not the case when eavesdropping at the start line. However, who could complain about a little bit extra when you are outdoors on the hills
Date of review: October 14, 2008

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