My Event Ratings

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

In short: Fantastic trail marathon, especially for a first one. With a few tweaks this coul dbe one of the UK's premier maratons
In full: Brilliant event, superbly organised, and with fantastic scenery. Add to this the well marked course, friendly marshals and great camaraderie among the runners and you have a must-do event. The overall event with the supporting stalls and services just added to the enjoyment.

If certain other reviewers had bothered to read the race info they would know where it went and that it would involve technical terrain, that there was limited water (the course isn't exactly on the water mains!), that they were instructed to carry 2l of water, and that there was a Challenge option for the slower runners with more generous cut-offs. It's a bit harsh to blame the organiser for your own stupidity folks!

And as for a lack of water at the finish, there was gallons of it in big containers, just a few yards from the line. And just by the on-site bar :-)
Date of review: July 4, 2011

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

In short: potentially very fast course, but exposed with strong winds, many hairpin turns to slow you down,
In full: It's a well organised, good value, low key event and is pitched as a PB course due to being pancake flat.

However the airfield is very exposed and often suffers with strong headwinds. The course is also very contrived, a collection of out and back straights with hairpin bends that cost vital seconds. There was also a suspicion that it measured long with every garmin seeming to show 6.3x miles.

It's still a good race, and on a still day probably fast, but it isn't quite the PB course it is cracked up to be.
Date of review: November 26, 2009

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

In short: Nice fast, rolling course with a fast finish. Shame about dodgy mile markers though!
Date of review: July 7, 2009

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

In short: Yet again a fantastic event, but some organisational glitches this year with chaotic parking and insufficient medals
In full: This is still the best road marathon in the UK bar none. The camaraderie of the runners and the support around the course are fantastic, and the scenery ain't 'alf bad either!!
It's a challenging course, but if you know how to run a hills it still has the potential to be a good PB course.

Just a shame a few organisation glitches took away some of the usual polish. I'm sure they'll get it right again next year.
Date of review: May 18, 2009

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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: Great race, well organised, challenging course and superb marshalls
Date of review: April 8, 2009

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

In short: A really enjoyable race on a scenic but at times challenging course
In full: A great race on a course that generally undulates but that has 3 proper climbs. The organisation and marshalling was generally good, with the exception of the second water station which needed more/faster staff as I, and many others. were forced to wait for water. The last minute cancellation by the caterers was a shame for organisers too.

All told, an enjoyable and challenging race that fits nicely into FLM build-up. Back next year.
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: Once again flawlessly organised, challenging but fun run through great countryside
Date of review: January 19, 2009

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

In short: The organisers deserve our support and respect, not selfish whinging. So 100%
Date of review: December 7, 2008

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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: great race, well organised and a fast course to boot. Do it!
Date of review: October 28, 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		80%

In short: Despite all the problems casued by the weather, I stil lloved it.
In full: Despite problems caused by the extreme weather and mountain rescue vetoing the usual course, the organisers still managed to put on a great event.

How can you not enjoy running through mud, swollen streams and floods?! :-)
Date of review: October 6, 2008

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