My Event Ratings

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

In short: Boy it was hot.
In full: Done this for the last 4 years and this year was certainly the toughest. Been carrying a niggling achillies injury so was cautious this time, but boy did the heat sap you.
Nothing could be done about that, so Ill put my slow time down to the heat, my foot and over relaxing following the Marathon...and cider. I like the new start, the straight road could get rather busy.
Well done Trent Park.
Date of review: June 28, 2009

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

In short: Who would be a weather forecaster!!!
In full: I was wondering what the hell I was doing driving up the M1 at 50mph, in driving rain, headlights and fog lighs on, and wipers on full.... But 15 mins before the start the rain stopped, and started to clear.
A real shame because one of the reasons I entered this was to combine a day out with a race, but looking at the rain this morning they all rolled over and went back to sleep!
This race has the potential to be excellent, wide open sweeping roads can give you a good speed, and even with three laps those at the front only caught up with the slower runners when the road was clear.
I have no complaints about the race itself, it was really fun...Im sure the lions felt they were in a sushi bar, watching their meals paraded infront of them. My only grumble would be the cost of the family entering the Zoo... As well as my race entry they would have cost an additional £46.00.... maybe there could be a concession for families of runners on the day of the race(half price??) I understand this is out of the hands of the race organisers, but maybe something that could be pitched to the zoo....because if you have kids...the likelyhood is you will spend while your there....

Anyway...my 4th 10km in 6 weeks....and have to say, despite the weather my favourite...deffo enter next year....and may even consider my daughter for the 2km fun run as she will be 11.
Thanks Dunstable Road Runners
Date of review: June 7, 2009

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

In short: Another well organised run in London.....with only one complaint...
In full: Being a seasoned BUPA 10,000 who has run in everyone to date .....well ok its only 2 but you gotta start somewhere..... I enjoyed this race....
Stewarding....was first class.... even having stewards in the underground station before... lovely changing area in green park, excellent baggage drop off, stewards for the loos..( was expecting a spray of agtershave afterwards!! lol) great controls to the start.
Agree with others about being in the wrong pen..I was in Blue A...with predicted time of 1 hour...actual of 58 mins...seemed just right....but if you want to have a fast run its a bit unfair if slow people are infront.
COurse was beautiful... I live and work in London so see it most days....I can only imagine the feeling those from out of town enjoy...
Excellent controls at the end....but here is my complaint...and it was the same last year.
T SHIRTS!!!! Why adopt a one size fits all policy?? Someone earlier said theirs was too big, and mine are too small unless a minimum XL. Its a nice t shirt and I would like to run in it....but cant!! Why not ask for sizes when you enter so they would have an approximate idea of how many of each size to order...so collect from relevant goodie bag point after ( like the great north run!) or send out with the race number...I liked the jacket the baggage guys had....may have to check out e bay!!! BUT the t shirt issue is my only complaint....I would give this perfect for a race in the middle of the best city in the world....
Mr Bedford....thank you ...and a great excuse for not having to to away in half term!!!!!
Date of review: May 25, 2009

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

In short: Great timing with the weather.....!!!!!
In full: Arrived in torrential rain....so sat in my car for a long time...but about quarter to eleven it stopped....
A nice race, but it did feel like a training run, certainly along the high street....trying to bob between the shoppers.
Thanks for the marshals along the course...there seemed to be one at every turn, who stopped the traffic when required..
Nice t shirt ( which fits..!) afterwards....generally a " nice" race....can think of worse things to do on a Sunday morning.
Date of review: May 17, 2009

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

In short: Nice hilly run through the countryside
In full: !st time ive done this....and would do it again. Weather was lovely, the route although scenic is a lot of hedgerows, so a bit samey, but the hills make it a pleasent challenge.
The only down side I could see was a lack of baggage facilities....I'm not keen leaving stuff in the car and then having to run with my keys.
Date of review: May 10, 2009

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

In short: Mid way through I said never again ...today ive signed up again for next year!!
In full: Second time.....and still amazing....this race grabs you by the throat and wont let you go.....its addictive......and wonderful.....lets hope it stays the same under the Virgin banner next year.
Date of review: April 27, 2009

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

In short: Another good race at Reading
In full: Lovely day for a run...
Everything went nice and smoothly...
Started on time dispite the numbers, well stocked water and lucozade stations (thanks guys) and well organised at the finish and a huge clunky medal. If anything could make it better, it would be a race t shirt. fast course too, which is always a benefit.
Date of review: March 29, 2009

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

In short: Hot hilly and hard.....
In full: Second time doing Hastings and after the rain of last year it was nice to see a bit of sun.
Let get the negatives out of the way first.
Both at the start and finish of the race there were far too many non runners in the area. As we were trying to get to the from the baggage marqueewe were being pushed back by those trying to get off the start area....and the same at the end...there is plenty of place to meet up, once people have bags etc. Also we were told to go to the correct times start areas....but I couldnt see any.
There were a few water stations on course, but only giving half a cup of water, and certainly not enough fluid for the heat. I was mindful of thse behind me but others were taking two or more, one to drink and one to pour over themselves.......

Positives... yes there is a long long hill....but its not too bad....and the scenery is stunning. Interesting looking DOWN!! onto my hotel from the night before, which I would see towards the end of the long hill...yes we were that high..
Support was amazing and really uplifting..and a nice cuppa at the end...when you could fight throught the crowds to get there...!!!
Date of review: March 15, 2009

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

In short: Reasonable race
In full: Agree with some of the negatives...certainly pens at the beginning would have helped...not enough people on the water stations and not enough notice before them. Lucozade was too close to the water station ay mile 6....so I missed it. The STUPID woman watching with the yappy dog who decided to run ahead of her friend who was running....dog nearly tripped me a couple of times!!!!! Not enough signage at the end showing where to go....I just hoped ( correctly it seems) and followed the masses to the baggage hall. Really enjoyed the first half..passing through some very nice areas, but the second half was just mostly alongside dual carriageways.
Overall have done better races...and worse...but not by much!
Date of review: March 8, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Mud and Ice......very nice
In full: A very well organised race. Nice friendly atmosphere in the community centre beforehand, and a beautiful day. The course varied from soft ground, to icy roads, to very muddy sections. Did start by trying to avoid the worst of the mud, but by the end just went for it....and that way is more fun!! Did see one person take a tumble, and my own fair share of wobbles, but this race does exactly what it says on the tin!. Nice t shirt after and of course the famous chrismas pud. Was tempted to stop at a etrol station on the way back home and use the microwave.... Only niggle....its the first 10km ive done without a water station along the way. Nice race though!
Date of review: December 7, 2008

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