My Event Ratings

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

In short: Lovely Route- Need to Smarten up the organisation
In full: Lovely Route (especially around Cardiff Bay- helped by perfect weather of course) but some improvements needed.

The race needs staggered starts. Very congested at the start and, from all accounts, those in the sub 2 hour category were subject to congestion/ zig-zagging runners all the way round. Some narrow bottlenecks, in part caused by crowds- a la Tour de France. More robust marshalling needed

Also- where were the race pacers?

Some more music/ bands en route might have been more uplifting

Missed some of the water stations cause not given adequate advance warning. Couldn't find the A,B, C, D family meeting point after the race. Asked a marshall who then sent me off in the wrong direction. Again, basic signage would have done the job

Hand out of medals, T-shirts and goody bags at the end was a real mess, with 15 minute waiting times. The medal and the T-shirt were good though

Support excellent in some places, in centre of Cardiff but lacking elsewhere

In conclusion, Cardiff probably has one of the best half marathon routes in the country BUT compared to the GNR or to Reading for organisation and atmosphere it still has some way to go.


Date of review: October 15, 2012

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

In short: Well worth the drive to get there!
In full: I really enjoyed this race and got a PB on it. Friendly marshalls, hot showers , good cup of tea and great T-shirt. Only small gripe was that I couldn't find any water at the end. We will be back next year.
Date of review: February 25, 2008

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

In short: My first 10 miler. Hilly!! Would like the T-shirts back instead of medals!!
Date of review: January 28, 2008

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

In short: My first 10K. Would recommend it to all first-timers
In full: Had been told that the first 4K uphill was a bit of a slog, but didn't find it too bad at all so don't be put off!! Just run slow enough and you'll get there!! Extremely friendly and encouraging marshalls on route. lovely scenery after first 3K and varied terrain keeps it really interesting. Just don't don't turn the race round and make us run up Norbury from the other direction next year - that really would be a killer!! Well done Abo and the boys!
Date of review: November 11, 2007

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

In short: Good location by the sea and fine weather, very friendly stewards but they needed more signs for loos and baggage!!
In full: My second race (first was a 5K in Oct). A bit intimidating for beginners as it was very much a club event - everyone shoots off. I was left to my own devices with only one person behind me!! I was reminded of Mr Bingham's penguin plodder articles (in fact that's what kept me going)!! The stewards were fab and very encouraging and the scenery lovely (blue sky helped as well), but felt that the organisers could have had some more big signs up generally showing direction of loos and baggage disposal - one of the organisers at the castle didn't even know where the bags were put, which was frustrating when you're in a rush.
Date of review: November 7, 2004

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