My Event Ratings

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Sunday taught me that cake makes everything better!
In full: What can I say. This was an excellent race that I have sworn never to do again (at least until next year). It was superbly organised, the course was laid out well, there was an abundance of fantastic marshals who braved the elements to see us right, the aid stations were simply perfect, the cake was awesome, it made everything better.

I’ll just forget about the course, twisting my ankle, losing a shoe for a bit in a clay mud bog, falling over 4 times and the hills, the weather, the mud, the icy cold water and the 4.5 hours of misery so that I can talk myself into doing it again next year, just think about the cake :-)

Completing this gave me a true sense of achievement, I'm still buzzing about it! Forget all those trendy obstacle races. If you want a real challenge this is it.
Date of review: February 12, 2013

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

In short: Tough winter marathon in 'Sunny Southsea'!!
In full: This was my first ever marathon, so I've not got much to compare it against, but it was grueling, hard work and tougher than I could have imagined, but at least the rain held off. The mud, puddles and wind made it all the more challenging. I'm so so glad I made a last minute call and left my road shoes in the car and put my trail shoes on.

On a good day this has definite PB potential, however, not today (well apart from me with it being my first an all).

The weather and conditions aside it was a great race, very well organised, well marshaled, quite possibly the best water stations I've ever encountered and a cracking atmosphere. Plenty of support from spectators and other runners alike, with a real sense of 'we're all in this together' going on.

A big thank you to Rob and co for another great event.
Date of review: December 23, 2012

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

In short: Santa Claus is coming to town!
In full: What a great bit of fun, which is what this event is all about, not to be taken too seriously when it comes to the running, but costume prep is everything!!

I had a great time dressed as The Grinch who stole Christmas, I scared some kids, got to wear green tights and makeup, helped raise some funds for the RNLI, helped a non-running friend achieve a 5k distance and fall in love with running and enjoy the little jaunt myself.

Fun, friendly, great atmosphere, great value. Not often you get to go running with circa 2000 Santa's with bemused onlookers wondering what the hell is going on.

Certainly not one to be missed if you have a sense of humour and are up for a laugh.
Date of review: December 17, 2012

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

In short: "Fast flat course", they weren't kidding!
In full: What a smoothly run event, very well organised from start to finish. Excellent marshalls, very encouraging, well laid out course, good water stops and some jelly babies thrown in too.

I saw plenty in advance saying that this was a good course for a PB, well they were not wrong! I absolutely smashed my PB on this course, took almost 10 minutes off it and finished in 1:45, so so happy about that.

The goody bag was great, a nice tote bag with cake, banana and drink inside, what more could you ask for. Medal is nice as well. All in all superb, very pleased with all of it. A big thank you goes out to the organisers.

Will I be back next year, oh yes!
Date of review: November 21, 2012

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

In short: Bust busy busy!!
In full: I started fairly close to the front of the white wave and was surprised at just how quickly I caught up with the orange wave runners. I ran a PB of 1:19:58 despite having to spend a lot of time dodging walkers from 2 miles onwards. There was me thinking I wasn't going to be quick enough for Orange!!

That aside the crowds were spectacular with their support, as were the marshals and St.John's on route.

I feel that this race may become a victim of it's own success as it's getting a little bit busy now! 25,000 entrants! That's a whole lot of people running through the same space!

Finally, to enter the 2013 race it's now £41, that's a whole lot of money to run 10 miles!
Date of review: October 29, 2012

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

In short: Perfect GSR warm up run
In full: This was a very enjoyable 10k. It was well organised and marshalled, who were very supportive and encouraging as well as being well positioned around the course.

A personal best is achievable, even with the undulating nature of the course. I beat my previous best by a good minute which I am over the moon about.
Date of review: October 22, 2012

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

In short: What a great slog!
In full: This was my first foray into cross country running, ever, and my 2nd ever half (my first two weeks earlier).

What can I say about this event, well firstly next time I do it I'm going to be wearing more appropriate footwear, my usual road going trainers made it hard work. Secondly I'm going to get some more trail experience in now that I've had my eyes opened to it!

The scenery was fantastic, I really loved it and was grinning inanely for the first 8 or 9 miles and laughing away at each new challenge.

Everyone was very friendly, the event was run smoothly and efficiently. I will be back to do this next year, I loved it.
Date of review: September 6, 2012

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

In short: Hot and hilly with traffic and guess work with the route towards the end
In full: This was my first ever half marathon and I have to say it wasn't the best of choices on my part. I knew it was going to be tough and hilly, but I underestimated it somewhat, though the heat on the day definitely didn't help.

I have to echo some of the other comments on here. The start was a bit shambolic, there was a bit of a lack of marshals towards the end, could have easily taken a wrong turn, especially towards the end. The sponges were much appreciated though, but where was the drinks station at the finish line? I must have missed it.

I will probably be back next year, just to see if I can go sub 2 hours as I narrowly missed it this time, but this is a personal challenge rather than being impressed with the race course or organisation itself.
Date of review: August 21, 2012

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

In short: A very well run event, great atmosphere!
In full: Well I enjoyed that, what a well run event.We were greeted at the car park entrance by a really cheerful Marshall and this set the tone for the rest of the event. The marshalls were superb, incredibly friendly, helpful and efficient.

Registration was in a big top they had set up in the grounds, this had a ever so slight downside, my two year old daughter got overly excited as was shouting 'Circus!!' with glee. Registration itself was quick, friendly and efficient. Then it was on to the start line after some warming up, ready for the off.

The course itself was good with markers every km and plenty of support along the way, the roads being closed off and lots of marshalls and local residents lining the route as well as a couple of well positioned water stops.

The hill towards the end was a bit of a killer but none the less I managed to beat my previous 10k best set on a flat course. I came in in a time of 51:03, which is quite respectable for a fat bloke!

The end of the race, like the rest of the race, was well regimented, with chips removed, water bottle supplied, goodie bag and medal all at the ready. This is a race I would definitely do again. Superb
Date of review: July 16, 2012

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

In short: My first 10k and really enjoyed it
In full: This was my first 10k event and I was quite nervous before hand having only done fun runs. When I got there the nerves faded away, the pre-race atmosphere was good. The course itself was well laid out and marshaled well. I set a PB for the distance and felt really comfortable. First time running without headphones which was different, but no way near as bad as I thought it would be. The prize at the end was great too, well worth the effort. Will do this one again. Loved it, thanks to all involved.
Date of review: June 10, 2012

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