My Event Ratings

Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Traffic, car park, start time = awful
In full: This run would be beautiful starting with half as many competitors a few weeks later in the year with a 10am start and a decent car parking solution. And a full size mars bar at the end. And no roadworks on the M4. Race booklet says aim to get there 1 hour before, I say more like 2 and you might actually make the start! One where the enjoyment is definitely reserved for the locals...
Date of review: September 27, 2009

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

In short: Another fantastic new local run, thank you
In full: Excellent conditions this year
Date of review: September 7, 2009

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

In short: Great pre-Christmas leg stretcher
In full: Nice late start for the senior ladies (1.10pm), who run separately to the men (and also half the distance) which adds to the event's attraction. It's a whole morning of running for all the family and, although it's always very cold, there is a great atmosphere and it's a fun day out.
Thank you to the marshalls, who cheer on even the slowest runners, even if they have been stuck on a freezing cold hill all morning!
Date of review: December 20, 2007

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

In short: Tougher than I thought it was going to be!
In full: I did the half marathon this year. No wonder I found it tough - my garmin had a net climb from start to finish of about 300ft!
I got the bus to the start despite not having prebooked so I was glad of that.
Tough half marathon - difficult hills although I managed not to succumb to walking :) Great local race.
Date of review: September 30, 2007

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

In short: Great new race
In full: Challenging off road 10k - was good because it was small (400 runners) and very well organised. There were loads of marshalls guiding the way, particularly in the downhill section near the finish where there were lots of tree roots etc underfoot. Beware last few k's as the paths were narrow, making it difficult to overtake. Enough toilets, water, parking. My garmin got it at just over 6.4k. Great race thanks!
Date of review: September 23, 2007

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

In short: Beautiful scenery and a surprisingly fast course
In full: Pros: scenery, atmosphere, lots of water stations (and sponges), chip timing, organisation, opportunity to see marathon winner cross the line, fast course, very accurate mile markers, so many marshalls, good medal, support on course.

Cons: "official" car park was full when we arrived, no goody bag at the end (not even a banana / cereal bar!), traffic on course (surely they'd be better off closing the roads?).
Date of review: September 17, 2007

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

In short: Hard if you're used to road races, but you should take the plunge!
In full: Great setting, challenging terrain, lots of ups and downs, twists and turns (apart from the final km, which seemed to stretch on forever!), plenty of water, small enough field. Don't increase the entry limit though, the paths are not really wide enough to take it. Nice touch that it was started off by a towncrier and his bell!! Difficult but rewarding race on such a warm morning.
Date of review: September 11, 2007

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

In short: Challenging one-off summer evening 10k
In full: Be prepared for the last km in the park over grass and uneven ground. Although the roads were not closed to traffic it was not an issue as the roads were really quiet.
Nice to have drinks at the start, and biscuits at the end!
Lovely setting for the start/finish.
Date of review: July 12, 2007

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

In short: Well organised, not too large a field.
In full: Course is all road, a bit undulating, with a downhill finish. Could do with closing the roads to traffic but not a huge problem.
Date of review: July 9, 2007

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

In short: Hilly
In full: Excellent route - single-track roads through picturesque quiet countryside. Surprisingly fast given the hills (maybe that was something to do with the cold and rain though...)
Bananas and oranges at the end - always good.
Pretty finish on the field.
Date of review: June 5, 2007

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