My Event Ratings

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

In short: Organisers need to take note of RW comments
In full: Previous reviews are pretty well unanimous on the shortcomings of this year's event, which fell some way short of previous years' standards. This is a pity, as Longleat 10k has often featured in lists of favourite events nationally among Runners World readers. The chip timing was, I thought, excellent but I did have misgivings when the race pack arrived and contained very little information (e.g. no course map) for beginners. I didn't realise the start had been moved, and went off looking for it in the usual place ...! It didn't help that the high winds meant that the inflatable structure identifying the start couldn't be erected, so it wasn't clear where the start line was. No complaints about the course, which always finds out my lack of fitness at this time of the year (one year I will arrive fit and ready to run!), or the helpful marshalls and supportive spectators. The refreshments and goodies at the end were very welcome (no bags - protecting the environment?) and I'm not really interested in the medal (but for those who are, it was rather cheap and nasty). The lack of toilets suggest the organisers were really economising this year (I had to queue 45 mins before the start, but not for long - I gather it got worse nearer the start time).

Come on, orgainsers - recognise the criticisms on this forum and tackle these problems, so this event can keep its status as a special race at the start of the running calendar!
Date of review: February 8, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A fast run around Bristol's waterfronts
In full: This course has a reputation for being fast (an extended version is used for the Bristol Half-Marathon, and was the scene of Paula Radcliffe's record-breaking win in the World HM Championship in 2001) and conditions on Sunday were near perfect for fast running. I missed a PB by some 30 seconds but was amazed by my time, in view of my poor preparation and lack of training, and it seems like many others achieved PBs. Thoroughly enjoyed the race and the day! Only complaints would be around the toilets (never enough, and long queues stretching across walkways), and delays with bag collection. Staggered start worked a treat - no hold-ups trying to weave past slow starters at the front. Hope the last finishers got their medals/freebies etc - some selfish b******* among early finishers were helping themselves to as much as they could carry! Perhaps a need to control issue of these goodies in future?
Date of review: May 14, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In full: I thought the organisation was very good for such a mass participation event. A lot of the criticisms in the RW feedback arise from individuals being selfish - parking inconsiderately, not starting in their correct wave etc - and the sheer logistics of managing 20,000+ people in a city centre location obviously asks for patience on everyone's part. I made a weekend of it, travelling down from Bristol and staying overnight. After the race I was able to return to my hotel, shower and change, take in an excellent 3 course French meal at the Kitsch N D'Or before enjoying a stroll around the historic docks. By the time I left for home the traffic was moving freely out of town. As for the race itself, I must say I found the sea breeze welcoming in the heat, as I suffered in the unseasonably high temperature, and the last 2 miles along the front were the high point of my race. Disappointed to miss my target time of 85 mins by over 3 minutes, but I enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere and support along the course. A reasonable goody bag as reward, and a slick exit (on foot) from the course. This event must cost a small fortune to put on, so I don't begrudge the entry fee. Well done, Portsmouth City Council.
Date of review: October 27, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A good test of pace - and hopefully a great fundraiser!
In full: You can't ask for a flatter course than this RAF airfield, and with plenty of space and a modest entry there was no congestion on the way round. Add in almost perfect weather - thankfully the airsocks were hanging limp! - and this was a great opportunity to push for a PB. I managed to take about 20 secs off my best 10k time, without pushing all that hard. The facilities at the airbase were good (changing, toilets, showers, bag store etc) and the race was efficiently organised and marshalled. Some minor quibbles - the kilometre markers weren't always easy to spot, and maybe a timing display at the end showing the race time would have helped, and I'm not sure where/when the results are coming out. Lets hope the event raised a load of cash for the RAF Benevolent Fund. Oh, and this was the only race I've done that was delayed a few minutes for a plane to take off ...! What a great sight!!
Date of review: September 28, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A great fund-raiser for Macmillan Cancer Support
In full: A well-organised fund-raising run, with nice touches (plenty of fresh orange slices at the finish) and attention to detail (good marshalling and los of route-markers to guide runners through the woodland trails). Many of the entrants were running to raise funds for the charity and there was a wide range of ability and times, so even relatively slow runners wouldn't feel out of place here. With few spectators the run felt eerily quiet at times, but none the worse for that. Very congested over the first kilometre, however, but still offered the possibility of a fast time.
Date of review: September 10, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A good, low-key event for runners of all levels
In full: While any two mile event is going to attract runners looking for some speed work, this event did draw a good proportion of the more senior participants and the finish times ranged from 10m 44s to 23m 22s. So I think that beginners shouldn't feel intimidated, although on this occasion there were 31 club runners in the 38 entries. The organisers are always welcoming and everyone always stays to cheer home the last finisher before getting down to the business of results etc. Medals are awarded according to a range of age groups, so the old ones at the back of the field have something to compete for. I think Emmanuelle is a bit hard in some of her comments. Her time was good for a beginner and she should take pride in her achievement. You can't do anything about the speed of others, you can only run your own race and measure your success by your own standards!
Date of review: May 27, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A well organised, smooth operation for such a big field
In full: I very nearly didn't make this one, having developed cold symptons in the days leading up to it, but having missed last year's event due to my annual May cold I was determined to make it this year and I am so glad that I did. The organisation was very good, with marshalls ensuring the starters were in their correct pens according to seeding, and the staggered start times meant that early congestion on the roads was kept to a minimum. The sudden change in weather was welcomed by me, even if the warm temperatures may have been less than ideal for some of the less experienced runners. Extra water stations on the route would have been a good idea, although I must admit the weather change could hardly have been predicted. The logistics at the finish were great, moving runners through quickly back to the Runners Village. One small moan - for the entry fee the goody bag was not so good, and the race T-shirt was cotton, not the usual wicking sports shirt given out at Bristol Half-Marathons. A bit of cost-cutting by the council? But I really enjoyed the day, even if my time was almost 2 minutes over target - damn that cold! Definitely could have been a PB had I been well. Bring on next year ...
Date of review: May 13, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A challenging 10k course in a beautiful setting - everything you could ask of a race!
In full: Another beautiful spring morning fully justified the organisers' decision to postpone the earlier date due to the snow. A pity the postponement - and possibly the early race start - meant the entry was only half as big as usual. Not sure if the revised route of the course made it quicker, but I easily beat my previous 3 times for this race - and my Garmin made the new route a bit longer, at 6.40 miles (10.25k). The hills were no less daunting, however, and I don't know how I made it up the last one. My legs were screaming for me to stop! The effects of last week's Easy Runner Tough Ten miler, I believe, and I couldn't even accelerate down the magnificent drive to the finish in front of Longleat House. It was more of a stagger towards the line. Delighted by the excellent organisation, support, overall occasion, and my achievement. A super event, and I was back home in Bristol for lunch!
Date of review: March 2, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Thoroughly enjoyed my run - excellent organisation, super facilities,
In full: My first experience of multi-terrain and the 5 miles through the woods were very interesting, with each step an adventure. Before we started I had heard all about the hill up to the water tower and it was okay to run up first time but second time around, after 8 miles, I ended up walking most of it to save the old legs! Exhilerating descent along the trails after that, and overall I thoroughly enjoyed the run (despite cramp laying me out just 400 yards from the finish). Excellent organisation and marshalls, super facilities at race HQ (thanks to Weston College), and a nice souvenir (whih had waited 500 million years to come into my hands!). No goody bag but I don't care as the proceeds were for the RNLI and they deserve it much more than us. well done to the organisers, who deserved the fine weather on the day.
Date of review: February 23, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Well organised, great value, no complaints - well worth my 100 mile round trip!p
In full: No criticism from me on this event! I travelled down from Bristol as I read it was a mostly flat 10k course and all my previous races at this distance have been on seriously hilly courses. The route has one or two mild inclines, but balanced by some downhill stretches, so no surprise that I took over 3 minutes off my PB. The flat lanes with high hedgerows don't make for the best scenery, but if you are looking for a race rather than a jog in the country, then this is for you. I went home with tired legs but a great feeling of fulfilment.
Date of review: August 26, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator