My Event Ratings

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

In short: Very tough, but so worth it!!
In full: First and foremost, I have to say a huge thanks to the organisers and many volunteers- from finding our way into the car park to navigating round the course, we were never far from a smiling face giving encouragement and directions! They really made this race outstanding to me!
Arriving at the start line I was somewhat apprehensive to look up the hill we were due to start off on- it was so steep! But as the start horn blew we slogged our way upwards steadily. The course continued undulating until the finish- some really steep sections (both up and down!) with some welcome flatter sections in between.
Don't think you can turn up for this race on the back of a few jogs round your local park (I heard they were very strict on the cut-off time at 7.5 miles)- an enjoyable run here will require regular running through forest trails and up and down hillsides. However, the views throughout the course were well worth it and the encouragement from other runners and spectators was great!
I couldn't fault the organisers at all (although an extra water station at the top of the precipice would not have been unwelcome!), though I find it frustrating that other competitors struggle with basic running etiquette- 1) starting further forward than their ability allows, and 2) dropping litter (bottles/gel sachets) along beautiful country trails, when there were marshals at regular intervals!!

Overall, a fab race- though may take me a year to get over the painful memories of the precipice before I can entertain the thought of doing it again! Well done to all participants!
Date of review: February 14, 2010

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

In short: Everyone should do this race in their lifetime
In full: 2nd time I've done this race after a few years of watching it on telly in Cardiff wiping away tears at all the amazing stories of the runners! Enjoyed the race, though hillier than I'd remembered!
Finished in 1h 48- a bit slower than I'd hoped but unfortunately took a bad turn (very unexpected as a regular triathlete & road runner!) after completing the race was taken to 1st aid tent. After 2 drips, oxygen & a trip to the hospital I was sent home with no clue as to what happened to me, but the experience was only more evidence of the great organisation- I remember a fellow competitor holding my hand & helping me find my family, when I collapsed 2 spectators immediately came to help me, an ambulance turned up very quickly, the 1st aid tent was impressively staffed & equiped & the hospital had 2 full wards on standby for GNR casualties!! I can't thank these people enough!
Date of review: October 3, 2007

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

In short: As always, a brilliant, incredibly well organised race from Llanelli triathletes!
Date of review: June 24, 2007

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

In short: Enjoyable, scenic and fast race!
In full: Having heard so many slanderous tales of last year's Edinburgh half marathon I was dubious about traveling all the way from Cardiff for this but I am happy to say i was most definately worth it!! The organisation was incredible- in particular the start/finish enclosure, the course was well marshalled by friendly and encouraging people and the course was really nice, not too gruelling and fast going! Water stations were plentiful and lucozade station was well placed (though, if I had to make one criticism I'd say to seperate lucozade and water to allow runners to drink energy drink then rinse down with water 100m further down course!). I would definately do this race again and encourage other runners to join the fun too! I got a PB of 1h 43- 8 mins off my last PB!!!
Date of review: April 1, 2007

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

In short: Very pretty, though undulations & wind prevent a PB!
In full: An extremely well organised event- even down to the text message I just received with my results, placing & time! Not an especially exciting course- out and back all the way and a bit demoralising passing the finsh half-way through- as well as all other runners ahead of me!! The wind was pretty strong and gusty, making miles 7-10 feel like double that, but the views were lovely and passers by were very friendly and encouraging! Water staions were numerous and well manned, though an energy station would have been very welcomed! Thanks to the organisers, a great event- RECOMMENDED!
Date of review: March 11, 2007

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

In short: Cold & muddy, but worth the early start!
In full: What more can you expect of a race in South Wales in December- cold, wet, windy and very muddy! Seemed to be lots of people entered, which was fun, but made it a squash for the 1st few km. The route was pretty, though spent more time looking at the floor to avoid the potholes and muddy puddles- I lost this battle in the end! As others have mentioned, there was a pretty steep hill around 3km & 8km, but actually the even steeper downhill that followed was more of a killer! Overall, a great race for getting in the Christmas spirit/finding an excuse for that extra mince pie/escaping Chrismas shopping...! Would do it again!
Date of review: December 12, 2006

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

In short: Nice flat course, a few issues yet to be addressed.
In full: This was a nice race, with a much larger number of runners participating- especially saince the full marathon runners started at the same time. However, parts of the course were very narrow (considering the number of runners!) and at points people were forced to walk due to this (particular problem in the bay). Also, the mile markers were very small and I missed all but 2, 9, 11 and 12!! Crowds were good and situated round a large part of the course and St. Mary's street was a much better start point than Westgate street. Also, organisation in the stadium was much improved on lst year, thought they did run out of small t-shirts (why specify a size if you won't be able to get it?!) and the goody bag was pitiful!! Overall a good run- I'll be there again next year!
Date of review: October 15, 2006

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

In short: A hot day but worth the trip!
In full: A very well organised race, well done on the toilets!! Reckon pouring the water into cups would have sufficed, think most were thrown away and I hate waste!! Overall a really lovely run, though didn't enjoy the minor ups and downs in the baking heat!! Well done!
Date of review: June 26, 2006

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