My Event Ratings

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

In short: Good marathon preparation as well as a good race in its own right
In full: 2 lap course between Kingston and Hampton Court along the Thames. Some lovely bits of scenary along one side of the Thames as well as some more boring parts on the roads. Well organised with water and energy drink stations. Great goody bag this year as well.

A good race to do as a build up to a spring marathon with good support even for us people at the back of the pack.

This year's event was a shortened due to emergency roadworks, think it was 15.7 miles in the end.
Date of review: April 2, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great alternative to London for a Spring marathon
In full: Interesting course taking in the town, the clifftop grassy section and the promenade along the sea. Support was v. good with only a few areas where it was lacking. The only bad section was the route out to the Power Station but I guess it's difficult to do another route that's not too hilly.

Organisation at the start was good and although there were big queues for the portaloos they moved quickly and I got to the pen in good time. Nice to see Steve Cram as well!

The only reason I wouldn't do this again is that the weather is just too unpredictable.

Thanks to all the organisers, supporters and everyone who came out to cheer.
Date of review: April 11, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Hilly with nice scenic parts in the woods
In full: Didn't seem v. well organised and started late which was unfortunate as it was cold and rainy. Also the KM markers were pretty inaccurate which meant pacing was difficult. Surprisingly nice course considering it's in Watford. It was definitely worth the trip for the bits in the woods with the bluebells - glorious!

Nice medal and T-shirt at the end.
Date of review: May 5, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Hilly but fun
In full: The first half is tough with a couple of steep climbs and one v. long gradual hill. But after about 6 miles there are some v. good downhill sections where you can make up time.

Sunny day with v. little wind so the last couple of miles along the seafront weren't too bad. They were still a bit tough though if you've overdone it on the hills and it's horrible being able to see the finish from such a long way out.

Good crowds along the route, great atmospehere, especially at the tops of all those hills.
Date of review: March 16, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Impeccable organisation
In full: It might be a small field and without the huge crowds of a big city marathon but this really is a special race.

Tough course in the heat but this was the only thing I could fault. Lovely atmosphere, great marshals and the chance to have your own drinks at the water stations. A good race for slower runners as marshals stayed out until the end, v. much appreciated. Local support was good too, many thanks to the people with the hoses!

The only reason I wouldn't do this race again is worry about another hot day.
Date of review: May 12, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: What goes up must come down!
In full: There’s an uphill start and an uphill finish and I don’t think any part of the course in-between is flat. But that does mean there are some great downhill sections. Well-organised, friendly marshals and a great T-Shirt. It’s good to have a race like this in central London rather than having to trek miles outside and rely on dodgy Sunday train services. Oh, and as it was my first 5 mile race, I even got a PB!
Date of review: March 5, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: What goes up must come down!
In full: Once the course gets out of Watford it goes through some nice country areas. 4 big hills to get over but once you get to 10 miles it's pretty much flat to the finish. The end is a bit cruel where they make you run round the edge of the park for another half mile when you can already see the finish.

The race HQ had good facilities and lots of room, nice to have so many female toilets for once. Marshalls were very encouraging and friendly and it's a lovely touch for the PA to call out your name just before the finish.
Date of review: February 6, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: My favourite 10 mile race.
In full: The new start was a little bit crowded and it was difficult to overtake for the first mile or so. After this though the race was great. Well organised and supported, nice rural course and no real hills. The bigger field meant there was more company at the back which is nice for us slower runners. Loved the cakes at the end too!
Date of review: January 29, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: It's got to be the fastest 10K course in UK
In full: Only a few minor niggles which seem to be the same each year: the water station is a bit too early; I never see the the 5K and 6K markers(do they really exist?!?); and the pedestrians are a bit of a hazard. This year the baggage truck seemed a bit slow but maybe that's because I finished earlier than normal.

But these are far outweighed by the great course, cheerful marshalls, funny bloke on the PA system and the chance to see the front-runners going past in the opposite direction. Fantastic weather again, too!

Thanks to the Brighton and Hove AC for organising such a good race and thanks to all the helpers and volunteers etc.
Date of review: November 21, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Very well organised with great atmosphere
In full: Good route, great support and nice T-shirt at the end. Will be back next year! This is a great run for us slower people. There seems to be loads of us so you don't get lonely at the back and there's still lots of support.

Only downside, the slightly whiffy toilets at the start...
Date of review: October 16, 2006

Report this rating to the moderator