My Event Ratings

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

In short: Nice. Could be better, but nice.
In full: I'd done the half here a few years ago and went for the full this year as a last minute decision, entered with less than 2 weeks to go, which cost more, but fair enough and the price was still okay.
I'd agree with what people say generally about the start, smooth enough and running comfortably very quickly after the gun. Boring scenery for the first couple of miles and the downhill then the flyover, along with the first mile marker being way out, mess with pacing, but the rest of the markers were spot on.
Busy for the first six miles, but room enough, then it gets a bit quiet. Route through the countryside was beautiful with sporadic crowds giving plenty of support. Water, gels, Hi5 plentiful and helpers and marshalls were great. (What happens if a train goes past at a crossing I was lucky enough not to discover). I found the route twisty in places, especially once back on the half course and it feels all uphill at the end (I hate that underpass). Shoppers in general seemed bemused by the runners coming through, but some of the other runners were installed with a beer outside cafes and were great!
Yes, there were some problems with e-mails and the website could be better, the route could be less twisty and be all downhill, but I think the organisers have done really well with what they've got and should be congratulated for a really nice race. Thanks again to the marshalls and helpers.
Only one real complaint - I finished in top third of marathon runners and already they had only medium sized T-shirts left. A shame not to be able to wear it :-(.

Date of review: October 17, 2012

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

In short: Hilly, multi terrain, challenging, scenic. Did I mention hilly?
In full: Great day out at a really good price. I found I missed a lot of the views as I was busy looking at my feet, but if you'd slowed down it was really something to enjoy. A couple of small improvements - some first aid at the water stops (even if it's just plasters) would be nice, and the one distance sign (at 22km) could be improved upon (especially as I reckeon that was 23.5km!). Nice marshalls, small but vocal crowd at points and very friendly all round.
Date of review: August 20, 2012

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

In short: All depends on the weather
In full: Run this one many times before and the wind was kinder than normal this year. Very simple good race, twice round the lake, always into the wind no matter which way you run. Good organisation and a decent T shirt at a good price. Still would like to see the water ina different place, but that's just me.
Date of review: June 12, 2012

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

In short: up-hill out, down-hill back!
In full: Hills make this a bit tougher than a flat 5m, but the whole set-up is great for a day out - especially good fun-run after the main event and the duck races were great fun for the kids.
Date of review: June 12, 2012

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

In short: Lots of runners, but well organised in the city centre
In full: Organisation seemed better than ever this year, with the idea of pens starting to work (could still be improved yet though. Not a cheap race, but about teh going rate for a city race with road closures etc. Goody bag not yet great, but at least is trying. Plenty of water and sports drinks. Good balance for serious runners and those raising money for charity as both a half and full.
Date of review: September 13, 2011

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

In short: Nice race, well organised, very pleasant
In full: Simple two lap course, half on road, half on grass. A lot of club runners not running for corporations, but none the worse for that. Good facilities, well organised run
Date of review: August 17, 2011

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

In short: Mixed bag, but pleasant
In full: Long, straight boring first 5 miles through the suburbs, then great parks and a whole new side to Leicester. Horrible trick with the underpass and gentle climb for the last mile, but well organised and pretty welcoming.
Date of review: October 11, 2009

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

In short: Clockwork organsation again, seems expensive though
In full: Price is not great, but there's very little about this to fault. Half is full of support and busy, but enough space to run after a couple of miles. Full is playful into the wind at HP - nice contrast, but tough. Marshals excellent again. Only gripe would be with the lack of starting pens still - too big a race to just hope people start in the right spot
Date of review: September 21, 2009

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

In short: Fast, flat Friday night out
In full: Smooth enough organisation - one point only for drinks, which due to the route means water at about 1,5 and 9 miles, which is a little odd. Lack of water/ cups at the finish, which they did seem to be trying to rectify as I left. Great marshals, simple course and flat!
Date of review: June 6, 2009

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

In short: Good, but could be better
In full: Reviewing the HALF.
Has all the ingredients, but somehow not quite right. Enough water, but not evenly spaced or where promised, I chose to miss two because they were too busy and had to stop (normally I drink on the run) at another to get water (in their defense I was at the end of big packs I suspect). No Chip timing, but not a huge field so even starting at the back made little difference. Real mix of abilities and friendliness - a lot of walkmans compared to most races I've done. Very flat course gives PB potential, but concrete promenade is really tough on the joints. Lucozade, water, medal, T-shirt and a real "goodie bag" with not just leaflets for once is a very refreshing change. Support is very localised - supporters around the start/finish are great and great marshals, helpers etc., but a feeling that the locals/ stag parties were not bothered. Organisers had got a lot right, so thanks, but a few tweaks could go a long way
Date of review: April 6, 2009

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