My Event Ratings

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

In short: Second time here - hot this year - but such a friendly race setup!
In full: I arrived late for this race - but that didn't bother the race crew one bit - they quickly gave me a number, handed me a map, gave me a safety briefing and sent me on my way.

The course heads down through suburbia then snakes through some houses, then heads out towards some greenery then back round for a second lap. It's not flat - in fact there are some horrid inclines.

But the marshalls and the drinks stations are superb - especial thanks to the two families opening up their homes as drink and loo stations - friendly and excellent (thanks especially to the lady with all the ice at the bottom of the hill leading up into the woods!)

Excellent Saturday race - do it!
Date of review: May 10, 2008

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

In short: Lovely friendly marathon!
In full: A winner!
Date of review: May 10, 2008

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

In short: Super!
In full: My first ultra.
What a day for it - snow, sleet, hail, and gales of wind.
The Compton marshalling crew were superb! Loved the checkpoints.
Could maybe have had a few more flour markers to shwo the way (you can never have too many - I get lost coming downstairs in the morning)
But overall... super - great fun. Great atmosphere. Great value.
Thanks to all involved.
Date of review: March 23, 2008

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

In short: Amazingly scenic run for London - and it is fast!
In full: I PB'd :-) And I know plenty of other people did too.

It's a flat course with only two road crossings the entire way - despite it being a London race.

The river path started to get to me after a while... the river went on and on... but then that is what marathon's feel like.

The marshalls were lovely and very supportive - special mention for the smiley lady on the bridge between the playing fields.

There were a few teething problems - plumbing issues at the football club and at Hackney Marshes, plus a small delay at the start.

Pre-race instructions were great - a colour map. Post-race setup was good too - nice cafe in the marquee.

Overall, well organised - thanks!
Date of review: November 12, 2007

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

In short: Great race - just the odd over-officious organiser!
In full: On the very positive side...

The marshalls were superb.

So were all the drinks stations.

And the team organising the parking and the bus transfers.

And the team sending out the race packs before the race.

All absolutely top notch - so thanks for your effort!

The race itself was also good stuff - like a few other reviewers I struggled overtaking half marathoners on some of the single paths in the last 10 miles, but for my first off road marathon, I didn't mind this at all.

The only downsides were:
- The registration on the day - I guess this is necessary for safety reasons - but surely there could be a simpler way than making people queue up in line before the race?
- handing out the tee shirts at the end - most of the helpers behind the desk were excellent, but the system was slow and one of the organisers was really being zealous with his book keeping - again it was unfortunate to make people stand in line for minutes at the end of the marathon.
- the showers were freezing cold

If you're tempted to try an off-roader, then go for it!
Date of review: October 15, 2007

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

In short: Well marshalled and raced too!
In full: I've heard great things about this race so I simply had to enter this year.

The marshalling and general setup was first rate.

The race itself is a tad undulating - with some especially vicious hills in the last 7 miles.

There's some great scenery, especially in the first half, there's plenty of water stations (but be warned that there are no sports drinks or gels) and overall the race is simply charming :-)

Well organised, NFMA!
Date of review: October 15, 2007

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

In short: Superbly marshalled
In full: Don't believe RW when they say this is flat - it's undulating for much of the course with rolling rather than steep hills (although there was one very steep downhill bit...)

I managed to get a PB, so it is definitely possible in spite of the hills.

The marshalls and race org was superb - excellent road closures, lots of water stations, lots of really friendly, really good marshalls. I saw lots of them cheering, directing and stopping cars (even saw one putting their body in the way of one @rsey driver!) - big thanks to all of them!

I've no hesitation in giving this an Excellent :o)
Date of review: October 15, 2007

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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: A truely gorgeous 10 mile race.
In full: The course is flat and makes really good use of the towpath (of course!) There is a little teeny town bit along the side of Kew gardens, and they did sneak in some steps this year, but apart from that this race course is totally flat and fast.

The marshalls and race org are all excellent - loads of signs, loads of marshalls, 3 well placed water stops, and then bananas and water on the finish line - all incredibly friendly from first to last.

And the beer glass memento is good stuff too - well worth cherishing and using.

I will be back... and next year I will do better!
Date of review: April 18, 2007

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

In short: Yippee - another gorgeous Time Trial
In full: Different to Bushy
- a bit muddier (if it's been wet)
- with 2 laps
- with a smaller field
- with ane excellent egg&chips cafe at the end.

Same as Bushy:
- low fuss - turn up and run
- well organised
- quick results
- sooooo friendly

I'll be back!
Date of review: February 15, 2007

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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: Superb! I've now reached 50 time trials and I'm still loving it!
In full: It's free, it's low hassle, it's full of "real runners" (of every possible type!) and it's just so friendly! Do it! And please come and say hello when you're there!
Date of review: January 7, 2007

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