My Event Ratings

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: The supporters made the race
In full: My first time of running Reading. Must admit found it very congested and think there are too many runners for parts of the course. I ran round with a friend to motivate them so did start further than back than i normally would, maybe thats the difference. Ran an extra 400m with all the weaving we had to do. A very twiaty course so it will make the garmin less acurate and struggle to find a racing line.
Can not say I will be entering again as I think there are better and cheaper halfs around. Wokingham being an example. Sorry. What i will say though is there were many first timers there who did seem to enjoy it who wanted to complete it as an event rather than a race.
Date of review: March 20, 2013

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

In short: Billiard Table Flat
In full: Many course describe themselves as Flat but there always a little undulation. Not this one, this was designed using spirit level. It is exposed being an airfield so subject to weather variations. This is a featureless course but what do you expect it is an airfield. The Dead turns break your rhythm a little but you can swing in rather than trip over a cone. Well organised, Good Marshalls, Great medal.
Date of review: November 17, 2012

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

In short: good race shame it was not 5 miles.
In full: This is a good race and one I am glad I did but there were some dissapointments. An additional £3 to park. Which seemed excessive. It was more than the council car parks in the town. No trophies for the 5 mile race. Biggest point though is it is not 5 miles so the time does not count. It finished in a field so could have easily been made up to 5 miles, seemed a bit lazy not to do this. Marshals were great, chip timed, race went without a hitch and course is flat so quick. This could be a great race if they sort out the disappointments.
Date of review: May 21, 2012

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

In short: A race others should aspire to put on and run at least once in a lifetime
In full: A fabulous venue made even better by perfect spring weather. A playful course with lightning descents and good climbing. Great touches as well. Whilst everybody gets a medal the first 50 over the line also get a special wicking t-shirt. Makes you feel like you have won a prize.
A true bargin on entrance fee not sure how they do it. Everyone had a smile on their face when they finished. Well supported as well given where some of the trails were.
A brilliant and memorable day.
Date of review: April 3, 2012

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

In short: A Glorious day
In full: Prodominately quiet roads, great support all the way round. Probably tougher on a windy day thankfully it was not. Marshals were organised and very encouraging. The best 20 mile race i have done. I has had my time on a receipt seconds after i crossed the line. Nice touch. Ticks all the boxes. Well done guys. Race definately bagged for a return visit some day. 10 or 20 distance.
Date of review: March 14, 2012

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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: Magnificent
In full: You could tell this event was orgainised by the scouts as 'Being prepared' was the moto of the day. An proper honest 10K figure of 8 course that had everything you ever wanted from a 10km Road Race. The lasting memory of the day will be the fantastic atmosphere in great surroundings not that it was a trifle damp!! Great job guys and all things being equal will be back especailly if there are more bacon rolls.
Date of review: September 5, 2011

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

In short: Great Course and a great day
In full: Arrived in time to miss the real traffic into the car park which did cause a very small delay. Great two centre location meant that after the race lots of space to mill around. Great local support at water stations and people helping out with medals and chips at the end. An honest PB potential course. One critism is the traffic on the roads a shame as nearly clipped a couple of times. It could be safer with roads closed or at least one side completly closed to traffic. That said would still do it again.
Date of review: May 9, 2010

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

In short: A Proper 10K
In full: A great straight forward 10k. Flat, Fast and uncomplicated course and yet not boring. Great venue and parking no issue. Great location as quiet and wide roads. Marshalls were superb and gave the event a proper buzz. Swindon has been crying out for this for too long. Well done Steve and Julie!
Date of review: November 26, 2008

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

In short: As good as last year.
In full: Second time for me so knew i had to train for a very windy course. The Mile markers were hard to spot Brown does not stand out on a dull day. The expo is not an expo more a collection of stands you would see at a standard 10k or half. Quite what i am meant to do with two baked potatos which incidently went off by the Monday morning? Transportation to expo was good (number 10 bus as per instructions) dropped you outside the front door £1.00 from Princes Street. Shuttle bus home spot on.

The Gravel path/slope upto Gosford House was new and uncalled for. Last years route through was much better.

A Great and warm welcome at the finish. The chap announcing all the finishers did a superb job keeping the crowd excited.
Date of review: May 28, 2008

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

In short: Well organised friendly local race
In full: My first time for this race, but will be recommending it as a valuable strength and stamina warm up race for a spring marathon. Also much better than plodding out on a training run on your own looking at the same scenery. Although it is measured as 15 miles in terms of percived effort felt more like 16.5 to 17 due to the rolling terrain. It can get lonely out there as the field is strung out early on which is down to the hills. It was not the gradient of them as such just the quantity. There are 4 main ones and a few minor ones. Well worth the trip and a success all round.
Date of review: March 9, 2008

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