My Event Ratings

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

In short: Hot, sunburnt but loved the day!
In full: Great race and the local support was excellent, especially the hose / sprinkler stations along the route.
Main gripe, and not just mine by the looks of it, was the finish fiasco. I know the weather is not the organisers fault but even after a cooler marathon i'm sure there are few who would want to walk for 10 minutes to collect their bags and then once changed to have to walk for 20 minutes (minimum) to the buses, please can this be looked at for future events.
On the whole a great day out!!
Date of review: May 24, 2010

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

In short: Energy sapping
In full: my first x-country race since school (22 years ago) and i really enjoyed it, very challenging course with loads of uphills and a few downhills (well that's what it felt like), very muddy due to the rain which added to the challenge and a boggy field at 8 1/2k to steal that last bit energy, bring on 2011!!
Date of review: May 1, 2010

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

In short: Still buzzing now!!
In full: What can i say, the most enjoyable race i have ever done. From the moment i got on the train at 7 am to the moment i stepped off at 4pm the whole day was electric. The crowds were magnificent, the organisation was flawless, the other runners were so friendly and running around the nations capital was superb. The heat got me at about 20 miles but i made it to the end, just slightly over what i hoped for but i don't care i loved every minute. I'll definately be back, maybe not next year but i'll keep trying until i get back in.
Date of review: April 27, 2009

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

In short: Excellent as usual!
In full: Still a big favourite, start much better than previous years, a little cramped but no stupid loop over kerbs and around bollards. Got my pb by over 3 minutes, think the FLM training is helping, 2 different pb's in 2 weekends. Some of the hills are still nasty, the one at 6 miles especially, i keep forgetting how bad it is. Marshals and supporters still some of the best i've encountered, not many that didn't clap, very encouraging when your on your last legs! See you all in 2010.
Date of review: March 15, 2009

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

In short: Flat and fast with pb potential
In full: 2nd time running this, got pb by over 3 minutes so very happy. Nice momento different from the usual medal. Bit of a pain with the portaloo's but while i was queing at 10.50 (rushing after watching the kids in the fun run) i heard the organisers saying to each other that they needed more so i think this will be rectified for next year. Nice to have chip timing for a more accurate time instead of people having to clock everyone as they pass the finish, not a problem having to collect on the day, though i did see people in the loo que at 10.50 still not having got theres yet so organisers have to run round for people, just plain lazyness not collecting them thereselves. I'll definately be back in search of the illusive sub 40 minute.
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: Still a fave!
In full: Was my first half 4 years ago and still my favourite, excellent marshaling and plenty of support en-route, must agree with the comments about the starting loop being an accident waiting to happen with kerbs and bollards to dodge, the rest was a nice mix of "undulations" and a nice flat run in for the last 4 miles, not quite a PB but that only makes me more focused to try that bit harder next year, roll on Stafford 09!
Date of review: March 16, 2008

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

In short: friendly, flat, pb potential
In full: Nice flat course in the countryside (away from car fumes) not normally a fan of laps but found this ok, gave the kids a couple of chances to see dad plodding along, friendly local atmospere, a bit unsure before the start from what i've heard and read about past races but i couldn't fault it, see you next year!!
Date of review: March 9, 2008

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

In short: Improvement!
In full: Much better organisation than last year, think getting Mizuno on side helped, better goodies and loads of water to go around, still not sure why the to-ing and fro-ing around the park at the end when you've got plenty of roads in town to run along and historic buildings to run past (used to run along the front and past the liver building until a couple of years ago), i'll be back to give it another go!!
Date of review: March 2, 2008

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

In short: Challenging hills, shame about all the switchbacks.
In full: Nice race on the whole and the hilly sections proved a nice challenge (my legs are still aching) but my biggest gripe is the amount of switchbacks on the course, i can understand that the course had to be changed due to the roadworks in town but seeing people run past you that are about 10 minutes ahead of you isn't the most motivating thing in the world, also the lack of water was a big let-down, when you're advised, in most training plans, to drink every 3 miles or so and train to this and then it's supplied every 4.5 you quickly begin to struggle and dehydrate.
"Goody bag" not very goody at all.
I'll be back providing these things get better but i think a lot of people will be put off by this years set up.
Bring back the support of FLM and things will be fine.
Date of review: March 26, 2007

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

In short: Challenging
In full: Superbly organised, very well marshalled by the police and army volunteers, much better route than in previous years and a visit though the town centre made for a better finish, still very challenging with the undulating course,i'll be back!
Date of review: February 18, 2007

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