My Event Ratings

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

In short: Superb inaugural event
In full: Well, well, well, what a day. I'll get my grumbles out of the way first:

Delayed start was most annoying, but you can allow the organsisers a slight glitch as it was the inaugural event. If it was a car on the course, I guess it was beyond their control, but reports suggest it was more likely problems with the park and ride. Also, I found the section along the promenade (23-25 was it?) really poorly organised too - there were no crash barriers/cones/anything denoting an actual race was going on, meaning that people were getting in the way/out strolling with their dogs right across the course. Finally, the time descrepancies on the iPhone app/website were another slight annoyance, but again, I guess you can allow them that.

On the positive side though, where do you start?! Amazing support, easily rivalling anything I've experienced in London or NYC. I showboated a bit, cupping the hand to the ear and whopping them up a bit and the reacted amazingly. I'm never gonna walk out at Wembley or play at Brixton, so it was my only opportunity for some adulation! Thought the course was pretty interesting too, didn't mind the switchbacks as much as I thought I would. Hills weren't too bad, although the one right by the start was an interesting idea! Another thing which seemed weird was the "Welcome to Hell" Saucony banner at about 20 miles. Not exactly encouraging!

Overall, great stuff, medal and t-shirt were great.

Well done Tim Hutchings and your team, amazing work. Hope you're beaming asmuch as us runners!


Date of review: April 20, 2010

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

In short: PB course, well organised
In full: Yet another pleased runner with a PB here.

Course is as flat as they come, so perfect for a quick time. The finish on the grass is a bit of a pain, but I can undersatnd it makes things easier for the organisers. Marshalls did a great job keeping the course traffic free, shame the odd rude driver can't wait for five minutes.

Do agree about the t-shirts - I had to go back for mine after I spotted everyone else wearing them. Hall was quite far from the finish and parking too.

All minor gripes though, all in all an excellent race. Well done GBRC.
Date of review: February 8, 2010

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

In short: Superb race
In full: Top notch event. Benfleet has a reputation as a very well-run club and this race didn't disappoint. Was really muddy, but that just added to the fun. Superbly marshalled - special mention to TracyB who was enthusiastic throughout. Special thanks to Karl for a brilliant event.

Essex Eagle (Thrift Green Trotters)
Date of review: January 25, 2010

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

In short: Great local race
In full: Very well-organised local race. Scenic course through Valentines Park. Flat, so PB promise, but lots of twists and turns. Overall, lovely little event.
Date of review: September 28, 2009

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

In short: Superb local event
In full: Really enjoyed this one. The hills are fairly tough, but not too much of a shock to the system if you prepared accordingly!

Impressive organisation, loved the tee and mile/hill markers. Only minor gripe is the narrow start and the uneven terrain at the finish, but I guess this is a necassary evil to avoid further congesting the main road.

All in all, an event TGT should be proud of.
Date of review: July 20, 2009

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

In short: Picture postcard stuff
In full: Beautiful scenery on this lollop through the Kent countryside. Undulating, but what goes up comes down and the last two miles or so are downhill. Still managed a PB, but first timers may find the hills a bit daunting - there's a short steep one at about 2k then a really challenging hill at 7k that turns your legs to jelly for the next k! Great race all in all and the early start gives you the whole rest of the day to relax.
Date of review: April 19, 2009

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

In short: Charming local race.
In full: Not a bad word to say about this one. Good-sized field of around 600 runners, plenty of club athletes and a good smattering of fun runners. Shuttle bus service from nearby golf course an efficient and effective solution to car parking issue. Very friendly atmosphere, BBQ and cake stalls and all for a good cause. Will definitely be back, hopefully to improve on this year's 26th place!
Date of review: April 6, 2009

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

In short: Great local event
In full: Very well-organised loacal race. Marching band at start a nice touch and added to the atmosphere. Can't really grumble about parking as i live on the start line! Water stations were plentiful, but might be an idea to have bottles as cups are impossible to drink out of on the move! Undualting course, but what goes up invaribaly comes down!

All in all, a fantastic event.
Date of review: March 16, 2009

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

In short: Quite hilly but a fairly interesting course
In full: A well-organised race with plenty of marshals. The course had plenty of hills including a killer gradual sweep at the 10-mile mark. Not traffic-free in parts, but this wasn't a major problem. Not enough water stations in the first half of the course. Friendly atmosphere. All in all a fairly good event, but wouldn't fancy the full 26.2 on this course.
Date of review: September 4, 2006

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

In short: Well organised, tough course
In full: Thanks to Herne Hill Harriers for a very well organised race with a friendly atmosphere. Course well makrked and marshalled. Can't really grumble about people being on the course - it's a park after all and at least it was traffic-free! Tough hills.
Date of review: March 6, 2006

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