My Event Ratings

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: How do you train for this!
In full: I found it very tough - I've done hilly half marathons before but these hills were relentless.

I'll be back next year but will really have to examine my training reigime because I would need a lot more hills in my training to ever prepare for this. I was 11 minutes slower than my PB!
Date of review: July 1, 2007

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

In short: A great way to get into Christmas Mode!
In full: A thoroughly wonderful fun event. The course and the costume added to the challenge (I would normally run half M's faster than this)with a few little hills and a strong wind against you. See you next year.
Date of review: December 3, 2006

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In short: Hilly, Hard and Beautiful
In full: Occasionally surreal - it rained so hard that most of the course was like a stream.

We ran with the ponies. One or two long hills made it quite testing. It was thoroughly enjoyable but occasionally I was running on my own for periods and would have liked a little more company. Its a shame they can't make this a bigger event.
Date of review: November 26, 2006

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

In short: A new PB by over 2.5 minutes - I'm well chuffed
In full: This was a reasonably well run race with a large field. The bottles of water were most welcome as I did get a little warm. A nice medal and a T shirt that I will wear again. I didn't see a goody bag but personally wouldn't want one anyway. The post race sports drink was YUK.

I didn't see a large clock above the finish line. That's a shame but as I had a stopwatch and my Garmin and had the presence of mind to press both and I know that I beat my PB by 2.5 minutes.

It was a good atmosphere and as I run around Sevvy park regularly anyway its a pleasant enough area to run around and perhaps better than running along Sefton Street?

I'm looking forward to the Half Marathon - Has it been confirmed yet?

And a marathon in August 2008 will be most welcome.

Date of review: October 8, 2006

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

In short: I've already booked it for next year! FANTASTIC STUFF!
In full: I was talked into this. On the day it was overcast and raining. It had rained for days and was cool and muddy. I was not a happy bunny and wished I hasd stayed at home.

We set off in the rain resigned to it not being much fun. I had heard that the second half could be described as truly treacherous and I ran with a slighly heavy heart fearing I would end the race injured.

The mud wasn't as much of a problem as I thought it would be. There was a fantastic atmosphere and lots of humour. The Marshalls were very cheerful and the course was well marked out. THere were plenty of water stations and more than I needed. The whole festival tent thing at the end was excellent and I bought my mates a pint and then had a leg massage for a fiver. A fantastic Balti that night in the town of Tywyn. A thoroughly good experience despite truly appaling weather. Given good weather, races couldn't get much more fun than this.
Date of review: August 21, 2006

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

In short: Brilliant - one of the best half marathons
In full: I had a great day. The weather was almost perfect for the time of year - a bit of cool drizzle and a light breeze.

The course was a bit tight in places and difficult to overtake but generally good paths with smooth tarmac. The hill was hellish and slowed me dramatically but despite that I got a new PB so I'll be back to better it by 3 minutes or so!......

Parking and organisation was good. It would have been nice if there had been a bit more going on at the start and finish but hey I had a great time.
Date of review: July 9, 2006

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

In short: Brilliant - one of the best half marathons
In full: There is a really good vibe to this event. A nice banana, drink, T Shirt and even shower gel. Excellent facilities - I had an excellent massage, A nice hot shower and then a slightly lacklustre but extremely enjoyable pub lunch at the Pheasant Inn. This was my second Mansfield half and I will put it in the diary for next year without a doubt.
Date of review: July 2, 2006

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

In short: Just not what it should or could be. You expect more for such a large field.
In full: I had a very enjoyable run but left with no desire to return to Blackpool. What was the 30 minute delay about? Why didn't anyone know where the start was? Why were the marshalls so blooming miserable?

I would have liked some water sponges. Water stations every 3 miles are great in spring, autumn and winter but just not enough on a hot sunny humid day with no breeze.

I had a pretty crappy but enjoyable run and lost at least 5 minutes on my time because I was way too hot.

I wanted to go back after last year to conquer it and now I have. Last year I said never again and I feel the same way this year. Thanks Blackpool but no thanks again. This was my 6th race this year and I've enjoyed most of the others more. There are just too many races out there for me to do this one again.
Date of review: June 4, 2006

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

In short: Fantastic fun - This will be in the dairy for next year
In full: I just wish I'd done more hills in training. The paths were a little narrow in places which made it a lot of effort to overtake people but I suppose it depends where you are in the pack. Next year I will just have to mek sure I am nearer the front.

I regret that I didn't bump into any other forumites for a pint on O'Neills afterwards. Maybe next year?
Date of review: May 7, 2006

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

In short: And I visited York which was nice!
In full: The only thing that could have made it better would be if more people came to the pub afterwards to celebrate their PBs
Date of review: January 25, 2006

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