My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great fun as usual
In full: A classic half. A mostly flat course that negotiates the University, Reading town centre and finishes in the tremendous atmosphere of the Madjeski Stadium.
Minor niggle this year was the town centre route was cramped by the crowd, but I still recommend this as required running.
Date of review: March 24, 2010

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

In short: Good value for PB hunters ...
In full: ...but unfortunately not me as I injured my knee playing footy the day before ! So I ran a slower race anyway and enjoyed the atmosphere and the crowd's enthusiasm.
Date of review: October 13, 2009

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

In short: Does it get any better than this ?
In full: Who could ask for more ? Perfect English summer weather, lovely scenery, a shady course, great organisation, friendly marshalls, a family friendly location and no traffic / parking issues. Thanks !
Date of review: August 23, 2009

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

In short: Bracknell comes of age - at 25
In full: Really good run this year - for the 25th annual event. Organisation was flawless, the course (mostly) flat and fast - and the water / sponge teams were superb ! Thanks !

This is a course of 3 halves (forgive the pun):- Part 1 is a flat, pleaseant run through the park and some local streets. Part 2 gets more serious with a series of long, gentle slopes - mostly uphill it seems. Part the third is a good finish - mostly flat or gently sloping down through some tight corners into the Park to sprint for the crowd.

In fact the course seemed hillier this year (not sure why) and just FYI I counted we crossed under 18 underpasses.

Also - we had a wonderful comedy moment just before the start when our starter was asking if there were any entrants dressed up as animals. Try as he might he could not find one and seemed disappointed - not knowing there was a huge costumed cartoon dog right behind him !

Date of review: May 10, 2009

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

In short: S U P E R B ! Enjoyed every moment
In full: Reading really got it absolutely all right this year.

The staging worked really well with good control of runners getting into the right time zones. So this year I got away well with no hold ups and hence got my Reading PB.

Also - the rest of the infrastructure is spot on (plenty of toilets, good goody bags, kit storage etc).

Great support from the Reading crowds including jelly babies from the ever present 'Eye of the Tiger' team. Thanks.
Date of review: April 18, 2009

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

In short: FAst
Date of review: October 13, 2008

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

In short: A great event
In full: Another good run this year.

Great organisation, good support round town and there's no better finish than the Mad Stadium. I stayed to do my stretching near the finish to soak up the atmosphere.

Never a chance for us mortals to get a PB though - as the first half of the race is clogged up. I appreciate the colour coding helps, but the event is just too big now to allow the 'average' runner a crack at a fast time. I was hemmed in early on in the Blue section losing a few precious minutes - and then spent a lot of the race passing slower runners.

No worries though - its all part of the Reading experience. Back next year, me.
Date of review: March 8, 2008

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

In short: Spot On
In full: This race pretty much had it all. Flat, fast, cool & sunny. Organisation was fine, good support and friendly marshalls (thanks).

Back for more in '09 !
Date of review: March 8, 2008

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

In short: A Hilly Half !
In full: Simply a lovely race - but those hills keep on coming back. Just when you think you're OK - another looms up !

Luckily the last mile or more is mostly downhill and suddenly the finish line brings on a final push.
Date of review: November 4, 2007

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

In short: Top event
In full: A thoroughly enjoyable run with great atmosphere and plenty of friendly locals cheering you on. The hill is a good testpiece and then a nice, long, gentle downhill slope to pick up the pace again on the last few miles.
I wouldn't go near the parking !
Date of review: October 17, 2007

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