My Event Ratings

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: The heat took its toll, poor support for most of the route, its not flat either !!
In full: I have done this one before so I knew there were some hills, but the heat really affected me. The atmosphere at the start at The Don Valley was great, it was a bit tricky getting around the stadium due to lots of barriers, but we parked up easily and arrived with time to spare. The start was delayed due to latecomers which was not good given the heat. The route isn't pretty with a lot of stretches where there isn't much to look at and very little support, it certainly doesn't show the best of Sheffield. The best bit is the run up and back down Eccleshaw Road, with deafening support and .. at last .. a band. For a city with such a rich music history the lack of music around the course is almost criminal. After 10 miles its a horrible slog back to the stadium with only a few souls cheering, but thanks to them for their support. However I dont want everyone telling me I'm nearly done when there are still 3 miles to go..
As usual there were only massive T shirts left (I'm a size 8)but it is unacceptable to run out of goody bags, the organisers know how many runners to expect and there should be enough for everyone, yes even the slow people at the back have worked hard, I have to say that reduced me to tears as I was sore, hot & tired, and no treats to snack on .. thanks I wont be back.
Date of review: May 27, 2012

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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: It was fun, the university rivalry made it special, well organised, nice T shirt
In full: Ran this with my son, we are both Sheffield University Students, it was well organised, fun and there was a great atmosphere. Not too keen on the 3 lap idea, but it was a decent course with a couple of challenging little hills. The brass band was a lovely touch, and the Don valley Stadium is a really nice place to start and finish, will be back for the Sheffield half marathon in May.
Date of review: March 25, 2012

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

In short: Lovely day, nice course, but the organisation was poor yet again
In full: I have done this race for the last few years and the organisation has improved but it has new problems every time. Access to the official car par was denied to us at 10.15 due to the buggy race, this was not made clear in the information, there were no sign posts and as a result of this many runners had to be dropped off on the bypass, not a good start. Too many runners, very crowded, and even with phased starts there were still people in the sub 60 group walking, will they ever learn, so even slower runners like me had to dodge in and out. Start was delayed yet again, people got cold, its a long way from the back to the start line anyway !! And why hand out 500ml bottles of water, with the lids intact, very stressful to open while running, and such a waste. Finish is much better, but the last 3k are on a slight incline, with the cobbles at the end, thus my PB was wrecked. Goody bag, well no goodies, just a medal, which was nice, a bottle of water....and a load of rubbish,...not sure I want to go through this again...there are plenty of other races to choose from.
Date of review: April 3, 2011

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

In short: Lovely scenery, nice family friendly atmosphere
In full: I did this ine 4 years ago and the organisation has improved, it was a lovely morning but soon got hot in the exposed parts of the course.
It was very crowded at the start, narrow uneven paths meant we were slow to get going, but I wasn't looking for a fast time so that was OK. Its a beautiful location, but I find that 2 lap races are rather tough, I would say undulating rather than hilly but definitley trail. Nice goody bag, OK polo shirt, delicious sausage cob at the end !! My mine gripe is about those runners wearing headphones who are totally oblivious to those around them. One woman in front of me and my friend fiddled with her i pod for the first few hundred metres and was in the way because she wasn't looking where she was going and we had to weave around her and try and predict which way she would go next. She kept this up all the way through the race, getting in our way several times but she obviously had no sense of what other runners were doing. It was most frustrating. But overall a nice race to do.
Date of review: June 13, 2010

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

In short: Great day, great race, great support
In full: My first race in London, I was a little apprehensive but no need, it was really well organised. Plenty of toilets, fast moving queues, well marshalled, amazing atmosphere in my pen, (green A) brilliant compare, and a wonderful course. I loved the drummers under the bridge, very motivating, and the run through a quiet part of of the city on a Bank Holiday morning was lovely. The best bit was the finish along the Mall, WOW! I'm not planning to do it again only because I want to keep the lovely memories, but I will be doing some of the other BUPA 10ks.
Date of review: June 6, 2010

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

In short: A beautiful day , and a really nice course.
In full: As promised this was a flat and fast course, apart from the hideous head wind for the last 4 miles !! A bit chaotic at the start, but no problems after that. there was some support along the route, but the nice scenery made up for the quietness through the parks.Liverpool is a very friendly city. Thank you .
Date of review: March 29, 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		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great day, great race, great support
In full: My fourth time at Lincoln and it didn't dissapoint. The race started on time on a beautiful day and there was a nice buzz among the runners. th eorganisers have taken note of comments about the shambles at the finish in previous years and we were guided into funnels and handed our goody bags, much better. The local people came out to offer their support which was really nice. Only two minor gripes though! People obviously lined up in the wrong time zones, my friend and I were in the sub 70 and we were having to run past walkers within the first few kms, we did it in 65 by the way, please people be honest with yourselves!! I know we are in a recession but there was nothing in the goody bag apart from the medal and a space blanket, even a pack of sweets would have been nice. But I will be back next year, thanks Lincoln.
Date of review: March 21, 2010

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

In short: Every runner should do this, but once is enough!
In full: I was delighted to get a ballot place in this the most well known and iconic half marathon, I am so glad I did it but I won't be back. The long wait to get to the start was very tiring, and I felt rather anxious in the crowded pen, but once we got going it was fine. My overwhelming memory is of the wonderful people who pretty much lined the route, cheering, clapping and giving out water sweets and ice pops, the fantastic bands who must have played for hours and hundreds and hundreds of banana skins. It was a beautiful day, the course is undulating, not too challenging and what a magnificent view as the finish approaches. Far too many runners to get a decent time, and I had to be careful not to trip over the discarded bottles. I agree with the comment about headphones, they should be banned at races as the wearer is oblivious to those around, and there was a lot of bumping and barging which could have been dangerous. BUT I am proud to say I did it, I got goosebumps and a lump in the throat, it is most definitley a once in a lifetime experience for me.
Date of review: September 21, 2009

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

In short: Tough!
In full: I expected off road, but it was much harder than I imagined, very uneven terrain and very hot too. the organisation was very good for a first time race,but the route was not clear on a couple of occasions and I didn't like not having distance markers. the finish was a bit confusing but the free drink in the pub was much appreciated and the bar staff coped very well.
Date of review: August 23, 2009

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		20%

In short: Tough!
In full: my first trail race, rather a small field but very well organised. very muddy, uneven and some tricky narrow paths. But a great training run, a really nice goody bag and a beautiful setting.
Date of review: July 7, 2009

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