My Event Ratings

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

In short: Well organised race
In full: My 7th Wilmslow and the least enjoyable, but that's down to the fact that I had a really poor run with stomach cramps all the way through. I've no idea why; it's never happened before. Anyway, it gives me chance to talk about an experience towards the back end of the field. The race limit of 2.35 was quite strict, as I was just slower than that, and had been overtaken by the "last runner" vehicle and the roads had re-opened. The race commentator had given up when I came home, but there were still plenty of medals and goody bags which were cheerfully given out by the always helpful marshalls. At the finish, I was given a cup of water, and I asked if there were any energy drinks. I was directed to a table where there was a choice of flavours and invited to help myself. I think the real test of a race is how the marshalls and helpers behave when they have been standing around for hours waiting for the stragglers to come in. Well this year I put that to the test, and I think they passed with flying colours. Am I right in thinking that there are usually expected finish time markers at the start which were not there this year? I found the medal a slight disappointment, as I was hoping to add to my collection of paperweights. I'll be back next year, hoping not to have the opportunity to comment on how they handle the stragglers!
Date of review: March 28, 2011

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

In short: Killer hills
In full: I don't know why, but this year I found myself looking forward to the hills - even though they slowed me down considerably. I had it etched in my mind from last year that the long straight uphill past the golf course at around nine miles went on forever but this year it seemed to go by in a flash. I was a good deal slower than last year though, so it's obviously all in the mind. The wind and rain started to do their worst in the last couple of miles, which slightly put the dampers on an otherwise enjoyable race. Hardly any spectators (the weather didn't help) but that was more than made up for by the excellent marshalls - very encouraging, especially for back markers like me. Well done Roberttown; another really good race. Amongst the runners I saw so many familiar faces from last year, it's obviously a race that people return to year after year. There must be a reason for that.
Date of review: February 14, 2011

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

In short: A good race - shame I didn't do it justice.
In full: All was going well, and I was on track for about 2 to 3 minutes below my pre-race target, just picking up the pace a bit at about 7.5 miles when - wham! I found a piece of ice I hadn't spotted and I was flat out on the ground. So now I've a grazed knee, grazed hands, bruised ribs and a grazed torso. That really took the wind out of my sails for what was, until that moment, a very enjoyable race. Many thanks to the nurse who stopped her car and checked I was OK. Thanks too to other runners who did the same. I did manage to complete the course, but running was quite painful, so missed my target. As ever, thanks to Stockport Harriers for a great race with really encouraging marshalls. Picking up the numbers lost in the post was really well organised. Oh well, roll on next year!
Date of review: December 12, 2010

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

In short: A great race - despite my terrible performance
In full: This was my first time in London after 7 previous rejections, but my fourth marathon. This was my personal worst performance by over an hour. In truth, I was suffering from a virus, and not really fit to run, but having struggled for so many years to get in, I was definitely doing it. I was wondering why my right arm was aching so much and then I remembered all the high fives with the kids along the way - great fun. I knew I had no chance of getting anywhere near a PB, so settled for enjoying the day. Loved all the bands and entertainment en route. I could not believe the amount of support, particularly at my slow pace. I was really impressed with the organisation. I was really surprised to be overtaking walkers within half a mile, and I was also slightly surprised at how tight the course was in places; particularly through Greenwich before the field has had chance to really spread out. Would I do it again? I'm not sure I could cope with the hassle of attempting to get a place; particularly as I got in this time through the 6 times in a row application rule, which they've now scrapped. I'll think about it in the next couple of weeks.
Date of review: April 26, 2010

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

In short: Usual good organisation
In full: Well done Wilmslow - yet another great race. I really appreciate the way the organisers learn from feedback and make small improvements each year. I liked the extra timing mat at 10 miles and the rapid text results and 10 mile split. I liked the sports drink at the finish and the technical tee. I would like to see more time boards at the start though, especially for us back markers who expect to be well over 2 hours. Didn't get anywhere near my PB but I think that's because I was just enjoying myself and didn't notice the time slipping away!
Date of review: March 28, 2010

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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		60%

In short: Good in parts
In full: One of my least enjoyable races, but that may be me rather than the race. First the good. I liked the Km markers which were distinctively marked with red streamers helping me to spot each one from a distance. The drinks stations were really well organised - I liked the bottled water and the energy drinks. The route was well signposted and marshalled. Now the downside. I didn't like standing around for an hour at the start, especially as I always need a wee as close to the start as I can manage. I didn't fancy joining those who were peeing against a house wall near the start line, or joining the long queue for the 2 portaloos. I felt sorry for the women who found it harder to find a bush to hide behind along the route. The long straight road against the wind was tough, and I didn't enjoy the strange out and back round the cones near the entrance to Elvaston park. Got an email from Kilomathon asking to fill in their online survey, so I did. It's all centred around how much money you spend in the area or on their merchandise. The whole thing feels like a money making exercise rather than the friendlier club races. I suppose it's good preparation for London. Will I be back? Not the way I'm feeling now, but I may change my mind later.
Date of review: March 15, 2010

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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		60%

In short: Good in parts
In full: Let's start with the good. The course was well marked, well marshalled, and the drinks stations were really well organised and stocked. I liked the bottled water and energy drinks. I really liked the distinctive Km markers with the fluttering ribbons, I spotted every one of them easily. Now the not so good. Like everyone else, I struggled with standing around for an hour before the start. I always need a pee, but didn't want to join the masses peeing against someone's house wall or wait in the long queue for the 2 portaloos near the start. Felt sorry for the women as it's harder for them to nip behind a bush along the route. The course is net uphill (not by much I know) and into the prevailing wind, and a long straight stretch into a cold wind dampened my spirits. The strange little loop around some cones just before Elvaston park didn't help morale either. The organisers asked for feedback on their website survey. I wish I hadn't filled that in as it's all focussed around how much money you spend in the local economy or on their merchandise. There were some good efforts to make this a good race, but I wasn't keen on the over commercialisation.

Will I be back? Not sure. I'd like to get a better time, and the distance is interesting, so maybe.
Date of review: March 15, 2010

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

In short: Top notch organisation
In full: Many thanks to the organisers; I can't really think of any improvements they could make. My first Liversedge HM and though it's a challenging course, it's quite enjoyable. There's a long gradual straight uphill between miles 8 and 10 on quite a busy road that seems to go on forever, but otherwise the course is varied enough to keep you interested. There are occasional stunning views, but bits of housing estate and industry as well. No rain, snow or wind so good conditions, and though I didn't get a PB, I got a good time for the terrain. I'll probably be back next year.
Date of review: February 14, 2010

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

In short: Enthusiastic Marshalls
In full: Value for money is extraordinary. The organisers must have done really well with the sponsorship. Great tee shirt and the famous quirky goody bag. Amazingly smooth organisation apart from the announces having a few Norman Collier moments with a dodgy microphone which led to the occasional comedy moment. The big thing for me was the encouragement of the marshalls - especially through the more boring housing estate sections. Scenery and terrain varied enough to make it interesting. It must have been, because I found I barely looked at my watch, and the race was over before I knew it. Hills? yes but very do-able, and a PB is definitely possible. Also loved the info from the marshalls e.g. "once round this corner it's flat for a while, then a short steep uphill". That sort of thing really helps your mental preparation. I might make this a regular.
Date of review: December 13, 2009

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

In short: Boring route - good job it's only 10k
In full: This is my first 10k, and if I ever do one again, I doubt it would be this one. Providing a dozen portaloos for 8000 runners could leave you caught short, and leaving some of them on the back of the truck is almost criminal! Very few spectators en route which meant a lack of atmosphere, and the straight out and back route was dull. No goody bag, but a reasonable T shirt. I found myself struggling to hold on to my T shirt whilst undoing my laces to remove my chip, so a bag would have helped. Even the luggage labels were hand made; cost cutting at every opportunity? I know it's for charity, but of the dozen or so races I've done, I enjoyed this one the least.
Date of review: November 23, 2009

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