My Event Ratings

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

In short: Had to come back to do it again because last year was so great
In full: Stunning as remembered. Well marshalled start. Would benefit from chipping ext year as v.slow o cross this popular start line. Deservedly top 10 RW favourite race. Weell organised. Despite organisers best aims, too many cyclist and many on wrong side of path, but better than last year's plethora of 3 abreast power walkers. Nice pic on the medal, but weight/quality down on last year's, which was def. one to treasure. Unique, unlabelled socks and gel, could do without for better medal. Good massage tent at end. Well supported at key points. For well placed water stops, sponges and squash or water at the end. This is a stunning race to either enjoy the scenery or crack out a PB. Stuff to do for family, if taken, including bouncy castle. Win-win and I'll definitely be back. Well done guys.
Date of review: September 11, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Undulating little teaser, well marshalled and friendly
In full: Positives : 1) It was not hosing down this year, 2) Well marshalled, 3) Friendly, 4) Adequate Parking 5) Okay Goody Bag,6) More than adequate parking, 7) Playfully testing and scenic undulating course so a good run out but negatives/improvements 1) Finish a bit congested, with goody bags being done on arival two metres past the line, 2) 6 changing rooms but only one open and one loo there and another in the bar 3)No momento. Rather have a medal/coaster/horse bras than cereal bars and drinks, which don't last to remember in dotage, 4)Hot day, would have preferred bottle of water to cups or more stations. 3 not enough, especially for the two hour plus runners. If some can be addressed I'll probably be back again
Date of review: July 25, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Better start, growing race, calendar event
In full: Start much improved and better organised. Burger van, kids entertainment,(mainly free including face painting, caricatures, bouncy castles) free massage. Water at 4k and 8k would have been better at 3.5 and 7. ran short at the end. Disappointed no medal this year and ran out of L and x-l t-shirts by 555 min finish so lot of figure hugging t-shirts may be on view later. Preferred the less congested start, but this flat course does have some sneaky undulates. Been doing this for last few years and just gets bigger and better. Yet again a cracking day if somewhat hot to be chasing a PB, but well worth the trip across. Will be back
Date of review: June 25, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Did the half this year. JL and his team just make it bigger and better every year
In full: Elements added some fun this year through wind, rain and sun but as good a run as I expected. Cheekily playful around mile 9 and 11, well marshalled, support in any area that was populated quite good and organisation more than adequate throughout. Reasonable facilities, adequate drinks (Tho longer/more tables would help. Nice touches at finish with Hot Bovril, on site massage and good storage showers etc. Long may this event grow. Great VFM
Date of review: April 7, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Curate's egg, good in parts but not the important bits (Start, finish)
In full: Some great scenery and some gross. Too many twists and turns with particular unique strangeness at 9.5 miles and the rather cruel/pointless last mile. Outstanding beauty on the beach. Water stations right in number, but wrong in length/accessibility. Energy drink seen once as an afterthought at one table. This race was part road, part steeplechase, part obstacle course and part wacky. How people were not injured by the cones, barriers, Harris fencing in the first/last three miles I do not know. Course far too tight in too many places. Glad I was only doing this as a training (Slow) run and certainly took longer than expected as stopped short of the finish and queued to cross. Having come up from Bristol with running buddy, invested time and effort, felt cheated by the organisation. Great medal, goody bag seemed measly by comparison to field size and fee. Don't know if we'll be back, but might do to judge the improvement. So much potential and knowing the field was double expected should have cut at the believed 2,000 or invested more in the day.
Date of review: March 26, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Good venue, great atmosphere, well organised
In full: Done this every year and keep praying nce we shall get good weather. Exposed course, so if it's windy/rainy/hail/snow you are going to get it. Not as flat as you would think, but a good race and warm up for future events. Car parks better this year and we did not stand around for a delayed start this time so big progress.
Date of review: March 22, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Choice of distances for PB's. Testing little run out
In full: Missed out on the first two of the series of three. Nice idea to choose 5.4k, 10.4k or 15.4k so whippetts, distance runners, beginners or vets could all have a go in the company of kindred spirits. Cheeky little loop advertised as an incline on the first half-downhill on the second. By lap three I thought the inclines were getting steeper. Okay, not a fell race but enough to let you know you are alive. Adequate water, okay medal and good, supportive marshalls. Great trails through stunning forest. I wonder what this would be like late summer/early autumn. The unique distances mean that you'll get a PB/SB for the distance but your mins per mile are liable to be more than usual! Well done to the organisers. Great idea, well executed and thank you.
Date of review: February 19, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Good testing 10k in almost ideal conditions, but tad expensive overall
In full: Great setting, testing course, stunning finish. Car park well marshalled on the way in. Plenty of parking. No changing, showering facilities apart from at own risk storage marquee. Expected more "To do" around the event, especially for spectators. Good family run marquee offering snacks etc, wide choice, good vfm, but run off their feet. Unique opportunity to run round a stately home's grounds in the company of like minded individuals. Entered on-line attached and stung for £2 more, which added to the feeling at the end of a nice but expensive race. Medal and some energy products I'll never use seemed a bit of a token gesture, especially as the medal wasn't even date stamped. Bulk purchase for several events and change the ribbon? Would consider doing again from a race point of view but put off by lack of vfm.
Date of review: February 6, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Spring outing for a pB at unique distance...can't be bad!
In full: Only £7 EOD for a fast, flat, well organised 8 miler. Easy to find from the motorway, run totally on country lanes, well marshalled, friendly welcome, plenty of changing facilities (tho short on loos, scenic course, what more can you ask for. Wish I'd been a bit fitter, but can look forward to a PB at this distance next year! Even met some forumites for the first time!
Date of review: January 29, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Start the year with a PB(Well it is a 12K and....)
In full: Unusual distance in nice location just outside Stratford.Tight start took over 1km to find pace and freedom to run as lined up too far back(learning for next year when I return for 2007 first PB) Long slow uphill 4-5k then a cheeky big speedramp just after the water station with a couple of undulates to follow. Just as well it's not a 10k or PB out of the question. Great marshalling and good support in the small villages. Well organised at the end. Drill a hole in the coaster and stick a ribbon through it to make your own 500 million year old medal to add some value to a disappointing memento, the only downside of the day. Good facilities, welcoming group, and friendly busy race. Well worth the trip from Wales
Date of review: January 22, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator