My Event Ratings

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

In short: A grand event in a lovely part fo the country
In full: Great weather, great scenery and great cakes. I'm surprised this one isn't more popular than it seems to be especially on such a nice morning. Some serious uphill sections make for quite a challenge.
Date of review: October 9, 2008

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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		100%

In short: A tough enjoyable race
In full: Make no mistake this is a tough race. I made the schoolboy error of wearing multi terrain shoes instead of off-road ones and this made it much harder on the very undulating and muddy course. A nice friendly race with good cameraderie from other runners all the way round.

Lots of half-marathoners to overtake in the second half which was both encouraging and wearying. Despite the narrow tracks everyone without exception good-naturedly moved aside for me when they knew I was 'coming through'.

Great marshalling, plenty of drinks and even a few much appreciated jelly babies. Well signposted and organisation pretty good given the complicated logistics of this type of event. The medal is excellent and feels well-earned.

My only quibble was the cold shower at the end. It was warmer in the rain!


Date of review: October 9, 2008

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

In short: Lovely event, great scenery
In full: Quite a tough run but a great off-road course in a great location. Many thanks to the organisers, particularly the young ladies handing out jelly babies at the tower. It kept me going till the finish.
Date of review: September 23, 2008

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Nice Soup
In full: I've had a look at a lot of the comments and the following sum up my thoughts:
1. The course is better than last year with less congestion at the start (but why not close the whole road off?) and lots of support near the end when you need it.
2. Stop trying to make it bigger every year and look after the runners you have by getting the basics right.
3. Excellent support from lucozade and good drink stations as usual.
4. chaotic colour coding for the start - has nothing been learnt over the past few years?
5. 8-10 weeks for the shirt? Are they being hand-woven in Cambodia?
6. I expect more than a can of (very nice) soup in my goody bag. Given that most of the things in these are handouts or subsidised from companies someone is not doing their job.
7. the park and ride should be free, well signposted and with extra buses. The council is happy to take the kudos for the big event and should do more to contribute towards it.

£28 is not value for money. No doubt the organisers will increase the price next year as it is so oversubscribed but they shouldn't consider a price hike until they have addressed the problems encountered by so many runners this year.
Date of review: September 11, 2007

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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		100%

In short: Another excellent race, well organised race from the people that brought us the Rough n Tumble
In full: Very good organisation and marshalling and perfect conditions, great views and a course that while it is not as tough as the Rough n Tumble, or sadistic (in a nice way) as the Terminator, is challenging enough to cater for all tastes and abilities. Well done.
Date of review: July 16, 2007

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

In short: Great way to spend a Monday night
In full: It wasn't completely flat but I got a PB so who's complaining?
Date of review: May 24, 2007

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

In short: Teething troubles with the new course
In full: It seems Bristol is intent on going the way of other 'big' events like Bath and the GNR in charging more money for less. What happened to the goody bag? It used to be the best outside of the London Marathon.
Obvious troubles with the new location for the start and finish which I'm sure they can sort out in time. I'd rather someone had the medals out ready to put on your neck rather than just handed out like nightclub flyers. The starting pens need to be marshalled more effectively though this was always a problem at Bristol in recent years.
Also I think the least the council could do is make the buses free for the Park and Ride (and put a few more on). The enjoyment of running in a big event is starting to fade. I bet they put the price up again next year!
Date of review: September 20, 2006

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

In short: Excellent well organised event
In full: Pleased that the organisers dispensed with their experiment with stationery as a memento this year in favour of the beanie, the popularity of which was evident after the event (and down our running club this Tuesday). I prefer this to a medal.

Great organisation and enthusiasm from the marshalls and other runners. Well done RRR.
Date of review: February 23, 2006

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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		100%

In short: Rain, mud and great scenery. Can words say more.
In full: This is the kind of race that running is all about. friendly, well organised and a cake stand at the end. Brilliant scenery - but I would say that - I live here!
Date of review: November 9, 2005

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

In short: Superb organisation & course. Highly recommended
In full: I think the girls on Mile 24 could start their own fan club!

Excellent race with great support all the way round and some lovely scenic villages and countryside. It was nice to run through the centre of Abingdon instead of round the outside which would have been easier to marshall but not as much fun for the runners. Even most of the motorists seemed pretty courteous!

Getting a medal and a photo are ideal momentos from any race and the cup of coffee and a biscuit afterwards was a nice touch. Geat showers too.

My only regret was that I wasn't quite fit enough to get a PB on what was a fast course. Thanks to everyone for their efforts in organising and supporting this - a brilliant race all round.
Date of review: October 18, 2005

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