My Event Ratings

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

In short: Relentless hills but rewarded with beautiful scenery
In full: This was my 6th marathon but my first off roader. I found it pretty gruelling, I knew there would be hills but the relentless battering of inclines from mile 20 onwards really put my body to the test. This race will test you physically and mentally, if I did it again I would definitely get some more hill training under me belt! Organisation and atmosphere was superb. the feed stations were great, all the people were welcoming, there was a nice selection of food as well as drinks, highlights for me were rich tea biscuits and also warm soup at mile 16.5 which was a life saver. Wish I could say I will be back next year but I am not sure, maybe again one year but I would need to be more than prepared to take it on again. Well done everyone that took part.
Date of review: October 26, 2008

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

In short: Challenging 20 mile course across some beautiful scenery
In full: Great pre autumn marathon training run. Friendly club and crowd, challenging but not enough to ruin you, some nice hills and a varied terrain. Course direction were throrough but a map as well might have been handy (possibly!) I loved the post race food, very much appreciated, endless tea and cake and filled rolls...lovely. Certificate with finish time was cool too. I hope to run again next year. Cheers.
Date of review: September 28, 2008

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

In short: Will be a firm fixture on my race calendar
In full: My second year running this and I beat my time from last year by over 2 minutes so well pleased. Great course with great organisation and marshals. Few hills but not enough to totally punish. Will be back next year. Thanks.
Date of review: August 17, 2008

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

In short: Hills up and down and plenty of great scenery
In full: First time to run this one. Will be back again for sure. Hot and steamy weather gave the course a Jurassic feel. Tough undulating course but very enjoyable. Nice medal too. Cheers.
Date of review: August 3, 2008

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

In short: Great road race with a few hills to keep you on your toes
In full: First time for me for this one. Very good race indeed. Very well organised with a friendly atmosphere. Knocked 6 minutes off my PB even though it wasn't a particularly flat course so was very pleased. Would definitely do again and recommend it to beginners wanting to a try a welcoming first time 10 miler.
Date of review: June 1, 2008

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

In short: Essential spring pre marathon 20 miler
In full: did this in 2006 as well, well organised event. Perfect to sort out your pacing for a spring marathon. Not the most amazing scenery and it is 4 laps so can be a bit tedious. However the atmosphere is good, the marshals are friendly and encouraging and the free cup of tea in the clubhouse was most welcome. Will be back again. Cheers.
Date of review: March 9, 2008

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

In short: Nice scenic route with a few mild slopes to add variety
In full: well organised friendly race, nice medal. Many thanks.
Date of review: February 10, 2008

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

In short: Challenging ten miler to start the new year race calendar
In full: First time, will do it again, very well organised with friendly and encouraging marshals. Well placed water stops. I appreciated the flapjacks on the second lap!
Date of review: January 6, 2008

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Great course, not enough marshals or water for what is a challenging course.
In full: Well this is my first time writing a review for a race on runners world where I want to have a bit of a moan however I will start with the good points.

The course itself and the atmosphere was great, I loved the terrain, the swamps and the water features! I have done a few fell runs and cross countries but this was my most dirtiest!. I real laugh and after the first soaking you just didn't care.

Few things I think could be improved:

Parking and getting in was pretty dire. Plus the "late" runners were moaned at by the guy on the tannoy for delaying the race. I got there with plenty of time to spare and it took me 40 minutes to get in and park. So I don't think it's all our fault.

One more water stop is needed - one is not really enough for such a lengthy and tough course in my opinion. Plus some energy drinks at halfway, it's not a sunday 10K jaunt along a flat towpath. people need that extra kick to get them round the next half of the course.

Nowhere near enough marshals, I think I counted about 4 or 5 along the course, not that people are going to get lost it is well sign posted but there are some big hills and drops, if someone falls and injures themselves (highly likely as we had to help someone get medical attention after he fell and cut his head open) then there needs to be someone there quick. We had a to wait a while to get him some attention.

Ditch the t shirt, how about just a medal instead, I think we all deserved one. Plus what's the deal with the rancid beef jerky! a mars bar would have been much better. Who wants strips of dried beef after running through swamps and forests for a few hours and what do all the veggies do, starve or go to the burger van that charges?

Sorry if this sounds like a moan but I would like to say overall I really enjoyed the race I just think the organisers should show a bit more respect to the people who are running this event, its a mixed field of seasoned runners and people giving at a go for the first time and they should be given the best environment and conditions to enjoy it safely I felt it was a little lacking in that respect.



Date of review: November 4, 2007

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

In short: Relentless, thigh burning hills! :-)
In full: Second time around for me, I forgot how tough it was. One of a kind event, if you want to push yourself over a very hilly 20 mile mixed terrain course this is the one. Good crowd, good atmosphere, amazing scenery I would recommend trying it at least once in your life!
Date of review: October 14, 2007

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