My Event Ratings

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

In short: Fantastic organisation
In full: Great organisation from the parkrun team. The trees along the route provided some welcome shade. The long slow incline from 4.5k to 5k proved a killer for me. Will practice my hills and aim to be back next year.
Date of review: October 2, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Not bad at all considering the sheer numbers
In full: Loo queues were rather on the long side; first water stop a bit disorganised. But other than that, a lovely race - great route - the first half with lots of interesting sights to see; the second half not nearly as bad as anticipated - winding round the park and seeing others ahead and behind actually helped me get through by breaking it into bearable chunks. And I got a PB.
Date of review: October 13, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A nice little race
In full: ...that has its organisational teething problems. Still, things seemed better than last year - a noticeable start point, and no sign of running out of medals.

Third time I've done this one - think I'm getting to grips with the ideas of the hills - though still resorting to some strategic walking. Love the downhills though!
Date of review: May 4, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Tough
In full: Not sure what was the hardest element - the snow, ice, mud or hills. But combined - it was hellish. But enjoyable in a rather masochistic view. I'm sure the views were incredible - though most of the time all I saw was the three yards of mud & snow in front of me. Marshalls were excellent.

But I'm sure that it worked out far more than 10k? (Not a complaint, just an observation!)
Date of review: February 8, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		20%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Miserable
In full: I suspect that scenery would have been a bit nicer if it had rained less; some of the public transport problems couldn't have been predicted. But all in all, the most miserable race I've ever had this misfortune to run in. The few plus points included some really good local support despite the weather, and a PB. It felt like all the facilities had been planned well - but the execution failed - getting handed a huge great cup containing one inch of water pretty much summed it up. Not one to be repeated.
Date of review: October 6, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Stunning views, painful hills, and cake
In full: A wonderful race - well organised, friendly, amazing views. Well worth travelling silly distances for, and made it a memorable birthday. I may even be back next year (and will practice my hills in the meantime).
Date of review: August 11, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Too many people, badly organised
In full: I have a sentimental fondness for the RfL in Watford - it's what got me running in the first place. But it's getting increasingly hellish every year. It ought to be a nice run in the park, but a total failure to separate walkers from runners (with a huge contingent of walkers already at the front of the starting pens even before the warm up started) means a hugely aggravating and energy-sapping initial 2k.

I really think it's time to split out into two - well-publicised - start times; one for the walkers; and an earlier one for the runners.
Date of review: June 29, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Hard work but great atmosphere
In full: Oh the hills, the hills...

My first time for a 9-miler, so a guaranteed PB - but regardless, beat my target time too. Some of the uphills were a bit daunting, and the weather could have been just a little drier. But really appreciated the way supporters and band alike gave such great support to us plodders at the back.
Date of review: October 28, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: The hills were hard work, but a nicely friendly atmosphere overall
In full: Will definitely be back next year - and ready for the hills.

Goody bags? There were goody bags? I was one of the slow ones at the back, so saw no sign of any such thing. But the medal's nice & chunky, and I have a satisfying ache in the thighs. I loved being name-checked through the finish line!
Date of review: May 7, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator