My Event Ratings

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

In short: Gruelling experience.
In full: This is one hard course. Although it's on sand, and involves splashing about in water it is not a 'fun run'. We entered this run in 2008 & we were all turned back at the river, so this year's run meant finally wrapping up unfinished business. Quite an unnerving feeling being way out in the bay, running into a strong headwind. Energy just drained away after mile 10 & rarely have I been so glad to see a finish line. After 24hrs reflection, I would definitely like to do it again but training for it as if for a Marathon. A unique run, and must be very difficult to put together, so all credit is due to the organisers. One really annoying point - the amount of cups/bottles/gel packs discarded in the bay by thoughtless runners. There's no way that lot could be cleaned up properly. Should leave nothing behind but footprints.
Date of review: August 13, 2012

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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: Excellent half-marathon in a fantastic city!
In full: A great event, excellent crowd support & great marshalls, and I got a P.B. It's all good. Fortunately the weather was excellent, if not then the walk to the baggage storage point would have been an issue. Am looking forward to next year's run - hope the route goes under the clock like we did in the Marathon...
Date of review: May 19, 2012

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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		80%

In full: A great scenic rural run starting & ending at Ripley Castle. Really well organised, with plenty of encouragement from the friendly marshals, plus a generous goodybag + great technical T-shirt. Superb weather was an added bonus. A big thankyou to the organisers and look forward to next year.
Date of review: November 6, 2011

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

In short: Chester 2011 surely sets the marathon benchmark for others to follow!
In full: However well you think you've trained for this distance you accept there will be multiple levels of pain you will need to manage. To offset this, Chester 2011 had superb organisation and support both on the day and in the months leading up to it (training runs, etc), fabulous marshals & plentiful well staffed drinks stations. I'm staggered how much enthusiastic crowd support along the course there was from the people in Chester and surrounding villages in both England and Wales shouting your bib name cheering you on-I cannot describe how much of a boost this gave.
The racecourse start & finish was brilliant, the almost flat route, with occasional very slight undulations, meant you could keep a steady pace and of course Chester itself (a wonderful city) was showcased in the best possible way. A most memorable event, which was a pleasure to be part of - and to all the other runners, it was a privilege to be with you - here's to doing even better@Chester 2012.
Date of review: October 10, 2011

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

In short: Christmas isn't Christmas without doing the Chevin
In full: The Chevin is a Christmas highlight to make a dent in all the extra calories that get piled on.
It doesn't get any less hilly, but the marshals & crowd support really give you a lift on the tricky parts. Very icy this year and a wait at the stiles for us slower runners cooled things down a bit-also no medium t-shirts left so my wife's got another kaftan, but apart from that it was all gravy and we're looking forward to C.C 2011. 10/10
Date of review: December 29, 2010

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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		80%

In short: Superb run, as hard as ever.
In full: With a start & finish in atmospheric Ripley Castle courtyard, the G.F.10 is superbly organised & well marshalled - a scenic challenging mix of hills, road, trail & more hills. An added bonus was unusually kind weather. The t-shirt & generous goodybag is a terrific finishing touch. Look forward to pushing myself on this run every year, Excellent.
Date of review: November 1, 2010

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

In short: Another Lakeland Trails Winner!
In full: The Lakeland Trails runs are always exceptional-this was just brilliant. Uphills, downhills, swampy bogs, immaculate scenery! Excellent atmosphere, organisation & marshalling. Mentions must be made to the trad jazzband who played us out at the start with 'Running Wild' & guitarist Pete Lashley who played prior to the excellent prizegiving ceremony at the end. 10/10 - and wish I was doing it all over again.
Date of review: September 6, 2010

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

In short: An excellent trail race in picturesque surroundings.
In full: Woodlands and moors, uphill section, flattish at top then downhill to finish. A challenging but really relaxing run and I like the water bottle with 'Ilkley Trail' branding on it as a memento- (it's going up Snowdon with me later this week). Marshals were excellent, a great run 10/10.
Date of review: May 30, 2010

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

In short: As tough as ever.
In full: This run is hard. Effort-wise it feels more like a half marathon. I love it though-it really makes you push yourself over the varied terrain. The marshals are brilliant, really enthusiastic and you need that to gee you along. Roll on next year. 10/10.
Date of review: May 3, 2010

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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		80%

In short: A superb run!!
In full: A very wet morning did not spoil this run- great friendly atmosphere, varied terrain, superb organisation and marshalling. Excellent.
Date of review: November 1, 2009

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