My Event Ratings

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

In short: A good turn out on a sunny morning
In full: This is the third time I have run this race and each year it becomes more popular. The organisation before the race was very good and I received my number and instructions early. Car parking this year was away from Jubilee Park and this led to a fair walk into the park and then out again for the start. The route itself is not spectator friendly until you get back into Woodhall Spa but from time to time within villages people have come out to applaud. At the end there is an inspirational number of spectators leading to sprint finishes. The views as you run round the route are good and there is room for overtaking if you want to after the first 500 metres. A bottle of water, medal and a BBQ with friends at the end.
Date of review: June 2, 2013

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

In short: Shame about distance but still a good run
In full: The organisers could do nothing about the bridge and I found it amusing that when the announcement came that the distance had been shortened there was a sigh from the front runners and a cheer from those at the back.
This is my second running of this event and last year was cold and wet but was the first time I had broken 50 minutes. This time looking at my time and adjusting I would have been under 46, never mind.
The atmosphere from spectators varied from place to place but overall supportive. I will be signing up for next year.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

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

In short: Great marshalls, Great tee shirts
In full: This is my second year at this event, last year someone stole the water, but then again who needs water at this distance.
Pre-race day organisation was very good and my number arrived early.
On the day, in addition to toilets inside there were more outside - I don't remember them last year. The race started on time following a good briefing. The weather was chilly but soon warmed up on the run. At the half way point is a fantastic man giving you the half way time and marshalls who were supportive the whole way round.
If I had a downside it is the long walk from finish to the race HQ to collect the best tee shirt you will receive this year.
At the cricket club the changing rooms were clean and the water was hot in the showers, what more could you want? Oh yes, I knocked 2 minutes 19 off a PB!
Thanks Cleethorpes I will be back.
Date of review: January 1, 2013

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

In short: Knocked almost 10 minutes off my PB
In full: The event was advertised as having changing facilities unfortunately they were not apparent and due to no fault of the Harriers the toilets were frozen. That said I ran with a club mate and we had hoped to knock 6 minutes off our PB on this two lap course. In the end she managed 11 minutes off her time and I was just under 10 minutes. Many of the marshalls were supportive and kept our spirits up. I will certainly be running this one again.
Date of review: December 5, 2012

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		20%
Organisation		20%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Bad organisation on the day
In full: Like other reviewers I have taken part in Rat Race events in the past and had no problems with them. Pre day information was good and there was a warning to get there early, obviously ignored by many. I got there at 4.30pm for a 6.30 race and the light was already dimming so it was lucky I had a head torch to see my name and number and complete my health declaration. The tent where you collected your number had no light and in addition to the race envelope I was presented with a sparkler, wow! No not really, but no explanation as to light it during the run or what to do with it - no rude suggestions please. I found the heated - not - changing tent that also doubled for an insecure bag drop with a high risk of theft so my bag went to the beer tent with my wife. We sat in the tent until the scheduled warm up time of 6.15pm. I made my way down to the tented area to find it had been delayed by a quarter of an hour. In fact the race did not start for over 50 minutes by which time I was very cold and the tarmac path we ran on was also getting slippery with the frost. There was one section where there was about an inch thick layer of earth over the tarmac but as this was not lit you only became aware of it when you tripped on it. Once started I enjoyed the run and rejoined my wife in the beer tent. By this time there was a 50 yard queue to get in and I was so pleased that I had chosen to buy a pint of Gunpowder Grog before the race so it was ready for me when I got back or I fear I maybe waiting even now.
Overall I found some of the marshalls very supportive but found the organisers at the start uncommunicative as to when we would actually start. I felt sorry for the ground staff who got moaned at by racers and event goers alike who felt it was their fault. The e-mail the next day from Rat Race faced up to the issues and the offer of 50% off a future event will be taken up but not at York
Date of review: November 7, 2012

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

In short: Great fun - but get close to the front
In full: I have been reading the previous reviews and thought I would add a little balance. Yes the contact before the event is poor and could definately be improved. I didn't like the idea of everyone wering the same shirt but actually on the day it looked impressive. The baggage control needed a cover to prevent the bags getting wet but with a little forethought runners could always put the gear they are going to change into in a plastic bag inside their bag - my clothes were lovely and dry! Get real, there are 25,000 people running in this event and there are bound to be queues to start - top tip, get there early and then you will be near the front. Run with a friend and this will distract you from having to run around slower runners and getting worked up about it. My watch at the end showed that I had actually run 10.65k so there was a lot of bobbing and weaving involved. The crowds watching were magnificent, the sites inspiring and no pot holes in the road. Why were there not enough medals - probably because some people decided to grab things from bags rather than wait to be handed one. It was worse last year because I saw a number of people taking more than one shirt when the provider was distracted at least this year you had to exchange a voucher. In summary if you are a serious runner, get there early and move as close to the front as you can, accept the fact that there will be people ahead of you that should have started further back, I have yet to run in any event even with waves where some believe they can run faster than they are really able. Finally always smile when you see a camera it will enhance your day.
Date of review: July 9, 2012

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

In short: Very good potential for a personal best
In full: The very cold rain and the long walk from the car park was not a great encouragement and changing in a very small toilet was not the best start to the event. However - ok the baggage store was an initial problem but the organisers made special efforts to get this organised and although there was not a ticket system the store was supervised at all times. The speaker system did have it's faults and it was difficult to understand all of what was being said.
The run itself was well organised with three long straights, good marshalls and despite the rain pockets of spectators throughout.
The finish was very good, loads of people cheering the runners home and no queues at the finish. I love my new hat and as someone else said the medal was a good quality as well.
Well done Gainsborough and Morton this was a good base to sort out the minor issues for next year.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: A good race starting at a good time with potential for personal best
In full: This is the first year I had run this race and found the route nice and flat, lots of opportunity for spectators, not too cold and only a slight breeze.

It was a shame for the organisers that some rotter stole the water from the water station but this was not their fault.

I will be back!
Date of review: January 2, 2012

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

In short: Well organised, well marked and friendly marshalls
In full: This was my first half marathon for 25 years. The organisation was superb with a well marked course and friendly marshalls. I did not realise this part of Lincolnshire had so many hills.
Date of review: February 22, 2009

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