My Event Ratings

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

In short: Excellent PB course
In full: Obviously not a scenic course like Wilmslow or Worksop but the crowds on Ecclesall Road, in the city centre and in the stadium made up for that. Also enjoyed the brief trip thru the NCP car park (bizarre) Great PB potential - last 5 miles downhill/flat apart from slight incline near the finish. Took PB from 1.35 to 1.30, although that was partly due to the ideal running weather. Missed half of the Mile markers and 12 to 13 was never a mile - I can't run 6.05 min miles ! Apart from Mile markers, rest of organisation ok. Were plenty of toilets but most people (including me) decided to use the ones under the main stand whereas the ones on the far side of the stadium were empty. Goody bag ? More of a Jade Goody bag - a waste of space. Would prefer T shirt to medal but can understand first-timers/ once only runners wanting a medal. Will definitely do next year as excellent PB course - so good I have wondered whether they measured it correctly !
Date of review: May 15, 2006

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

In short: Enjoyable but too hilly towards the end
In full: Organisers kept saying it was a fast course but found it hard. First 5 - 6 miles must have been predominantly downhill as some of my split times were very fast but then latter half of the race seemed to be mainly uphill. Steep hill in last mile almost brought me to a standstill. Enjoyed but could do with chip timing in future - position in offical results can be a lot different from actual chip timed position depending on where you start. (40 places difference at Worksop)
Date of review: March 20, 2006

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Worth doing once
In full: Having now run in a more local race (Worksop), I would not do the GNR again. It's just too big. The fact that I finished in the top 2000 having only started running in February shows that proper runners steer clear of this fun run/walk. Dodging/accelerating past walkers in the first couple of miles (and more) is a pain in the *rse if you're there to run. Good points - big event so good atmosphere; good medal, t shirt & goody bag.
Date of review: November 1, 2005

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

In short: Thoroughly enjoyed - Far better than GNR
In full: Living within an hour of Worksop made this a lot less hassle than the GNR (the only other Half marathon I've done) Arrived just over an hour before the start and parked easily (and free) within 300 yards of the start. Changing facilities in Town Hall meant you could stay in the warmth until close to the start (GNR - stand outside for hours) Toilets ok. Pre race nerves meant several visits - other people probably had problems cos I was always in there ! Last minute toilet visit (10.24) meant starting near the back of the field. Course a bit narrow for overtaking slower runners at the start. But this meant starting steady rather than going off too fast (unlike GNR) Didn't find the hills too bad but did make for some odd split times. Good last mile if you've got anything left in the tank. Managed to finish over 3 minutes faster than GNR with what seemed like half the effort - I think the rain helped. Liked the T shirt with name on, but not sure when Bright Orange will be appropriate. Thanks to the organisers and also marshalls for standing out in very poor conditions. Will definitely do this next year
Date of review: October 31, 2005

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