My Event Ratings

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

In short: decent, but not memorable
In full: A fairly quick course, with a couple of very mild and very quick inclines whilst on the grass. The main problem is 4 laps of the course, which is quite boring.

Marshalls were ok. Some were encouraging and some didn't say anything. The woman who shouted out the times half way through the laps was encouraging but she kept calling out incorrect times which would be annoying to some.

There were a lot of pedestrians, dogs etc but that can't be helped and was manageable.

Fellow runners were very encouraging.

I'm not sure that I trust the website to show the results. There are other MCC events from a few weeks ago on there, with no results published
Date of review: February 26, 2012

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

In short: Nice. No major issues
In full: There are tougher courses about, but it certainly wasn't one of the easier ones due to the long hill in the middle.

I thought the marshalls did a very good job managing the traffic, and they were also very encouraging. I didn't really notice any impatient drivers where I was in the pack.

I was impressed that it started almost on time and thought that the portaloo queues were absolutely fine. About the right number of runners took part.
Date of review: May 22, 2011

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

In short: Pretty good
In full: Nice route, good spectators with encouragement; appreciating a good sprint finish!

I liked it - if they could have got another 6 portaloos it would have been better but that was the only major gripe
Date of review: March 26, 2011

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

In short: Very good and much improved
In full: Organisation used to be shocking, this year it was very good. Nice route too. Very cold.
Date of review: March 6, 2011

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

In short: A few issues but generally very good
In full: I like this race. It starts and finishes in the athletics stadium and a decent crowd came to watch. The route is picturesque - the majority is set in a lovely forest setting, weaving past the golf course. It was also good to see 2 water stops instead of the usual one.

However, with regret, I have had to take marks off the organisation. The collection of running numbers/chips before the race went smoothly enough but the race itself started over 20 minutes late. Unfortunate, but not really acceptable - I'm just glad it wasn't too cold during that wait.

I'm sure that was just a blip and so I would definitely run this again
Date of review: October 17, 2010

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

In short: Enjoyable but not spectacular
In full: I enjoyed this race. The scenery was nice, the organisation was generally good, the support was good, the course was flat. It was also nice to see the kiddies finishing their 2k race before we set off.

The course itself is very flat but have rated it as 'midly challenging' as there are a few sharpish turns which reduce speed, and also a couple of parts where you run through longish grass. There was also the occasional problem with the wind blowing up the marker ribbons which caused obstructions.

The only major gripe is that the marker at the 8km mark actually read '7km'! Not really a problem for me as could judge it by my watch but might be quite de-motivating for a first time runner! A basic error which shouldn't have been made.

Overall, it is a good race for novices. The fact that only one runner finished under 40 mins proves that.

I would do it again.
Date of review: July 4, 2010

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

In short: Enjoyable as always
In full: This is the 4th year in a row I've run this race and, again, I enjoyed it especially as it wasn't as hot as the previous two years.

There aren't many spectators en route but the marshalls are very good and encouraging. I disagree with the comments that the hills are mostly downhill, there are definitely at least two more ups than downs!

I can do without chip timing as that would increase the cost of entering (which is a nice price) but they need to enourage some slower runners to start at the back, not the front!

Will do it again!
Date of review: May 9, 2010

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

In short: A good one
In full: Well organised - I feel that the course could accommodate the large number of runners. It started on time, no problems with the baggage, and didn't take long to funnel through at the end. I was also impressed that a text giving the chip time was received shortly after finishing.

As for the route, it is flat and so it is in theory quick. I certainly got a PB. However, the wind was fairly strong for a few km which could negate the flatness slightly.

After observing the appalling scenes at the Richmond Deer Park 10k last weekend this was certainly a pleasant change
Date of review: November 15, 2009

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

In short: Pros and cons
In full: A decent race for novices. Minor inclines but generally a flat course, and very good encouragement from the staff and compere.

However, there were some negatives. Firstly, there were not enough portaloos. Secondly, it started late. Thirdly, we of us ran it and all finished at different times, but none of us received a goody bag or even knew they existed. Finally, the price is far too high, especially when you also have to pay £1 for baggage which is poor
Date of review: September 6, 2009

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

In short: Lovely race, albeit with a few issues
In full: The race itself was excellent. Lovely scenery, not too crowded, good encouragement. However, they actually started the race 5 minutes early which is very poor.
Date of review: June 6, 2009

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