My Event Ratings

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

In short: Definitely worth getting up for
In full: Route was a good mix of on and off road, up and down hills. Well marshalled and signposted. Having the printouts of the finish times (it was chip timed) and the photos immediately after finishing was a nice touch, as was the presentation to the winners. A bit congested at the start, but it soon evened out. Plenty of water and goody bags at the end, even for us slower ones. Plenty of portaloos and bag storage. A well organised, friendly race.
Date of review: February 27, 2011

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

In short: recommended for people who like london events
In full: I liked the t-shirt - good to have one that you can train in rather than a cotton one post race. If only I had trained... a well organised event overall. More toilets needed - if you get there early you only end up needing to go again. Loads of free food and I particularly appreciated the percy pigs. Pretty medal. Was crowded in places but this is to be expected with an event this size. As I approached the start line everyone was walking, but as soon as we hit the chip start we broke into a run.
Date of review: October 12, 2010

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

In short: An unforgettable experience.
In full: I had a wonderful time doing this race for the first time. The support from the crowds was so uplifting, hearing loads of people shouting your name, it felt like everyone in London was your friend for the day. Lots of water and Lucozade, and the gels were a good idea although I think they had run out at the second station.

One thing I thought could improve for next year was the mile markers. The mile numbers were quite small so I often didn't notice them. Normally in such big races they have quite large numbers that you can clearly see way before you approach them.

The lack of pen regulation actually worked in my favour as I had improved considerably since my original estimate, so I was able to move a little further forward from pen 9. It was slow to start with though, I did actually have to stop a couple of times in Greenwich. Admittedly I think it was people wanting to see Richard Branson that caused this stoppage.

Must point out that the toilet queues moved quickly, the baggage buses were excellent and I got over the start line in about 5 minutes.
Date of review: April 25, 2010

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

In short: Lovely course, friendly organisation, killer hills
In full: Beautiful scenery, I lost count of the wonderful views en route. I thought the final hill would finish me off, but it was worth the pain for the view, and the nice downhill to the fast finish. lots of support from marshalls. A really challenging race, I felt pleased to have done it. Went home in a bit of a bad mood though as there wasn't any water at the end and no sign of goody bags (just T-shirts left). I thought maybe I had just missed it, but having seen the other comments on here I wasn't alone. Not overly bothered but given the choice I'd rather have a cheaper race and no goody bag and bring my own water!
Date of review: April 11, 2010

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

In short: Great London event.
In full: This was a great way of doing a run in London that takes in the major sights without doing the marathon! Loved the organisation, the atmosphere and support, the marshalls, the copious amounts of cereal bars, drinks, bananas and chocolate on offer (so much better than a traditional goody bag).
I managed to miss the first water station but the rest were better organised. The bag drop was busy (and it didn't help having the person on the loudspeaker telling you that you should already be at the starting line when clearly lots of people were still queuing) but I switched queues to the other end near the stage which went much quicker.
Date of review: October 12, 2009

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

In short: A brilliant race, loved it!
In full: Brilliant organisation, encouraging marshalls, lovely weather, stunning views.
Date of review: April 19, 2009

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

In short: Not just the weather that was miserable!
In full: Didn't seem as friendly as other local races I've been to. But not bad for something just down the road.
Date of review: October 27, 2008

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

In short: Beautiful countryside, stunning views, squishy mud, supportive marshalls, , well organised
In full: What a fantastic event! Well organised at the start - not much waiting around. Friendly atmosphere - the marshalls gave appropriate levels of encouragement and were well spaced. Good mix of road and off road - thought it was going to be much muddier given the recent weather conditions. The hills were tough but worthwhile for the views and the stretches of downhill - I felt on top of the world at mile 5! Well done and thank you to those that made it such a success.
Date of review: September 7, 2008

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

In short: Well organised, friendly race - great PB potential
In full: Lovely race, great weather, lots of supportive marshalls. Well done and thank you to all involved.
Date of review: February 10, 2008

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

In short: Tremendous atmosphere, glorious weather, a good weekend away
In full: Good things:
Support
Sunshine
Red arrows (perfectly timed as I was approaching the tyne bridge)
T-shirt
Journey home - managed to avoid the traffic queues. Unfortunately driving is much better than the horrendous queue at the metro station (last year's experience)
Camping - lovely cheap campsite by the sea

Bad things:
Goody bag - could have done with nuts or cereal bar instead of fisherman's friend
People walking at mile 1 - it might be a good idea to train in future!
The undignified toilet break at the start
Date of review: October 1, 2007

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