My Event Ratings

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

In short: Too congested at the beginning!
In full: Agree with the other comments made on here. This is the first time I've done this race and from what I could tell they'd moved the start. Not sure where from but the 'new' position left a really congested first few km. There are some narrow paths up to the 3km mark which makes racing a little tricky. I too noticed the lack of start chip mat - why not at both ends? They clearly have the technology. If it was to save money, it's a bit cheap. It could have been a really good race but little niggles make it an average one. Oh and a mention to those running a 60+ minute race, start at the back and you won't find people pushing past you. If you start in the wrong place, you've only yourself to blame for being jostled.
Date of review: September 12, 2011

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

In short: They describe it as undulating - that's a lie
Date of review: March 5, 2011

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

In short: Wonderful race in glorious scenery - just a bit wet at the beginning
In full: Thankfully I was staying in Fort Augustus which meant that my bus didn't come until 8.40am - a nicer time to be starting the day. It was a little chilly on the top waiting for the start and I did feel for the Ethiopian elite woman (it was her first trip outside her own country). The pipe band were a nice touch that brought a smile to most faces and the first mile was super fast, you just need to rememeber to put the brakes on. First half was wet and very rarely flat. Loved the guy with Scottish music blasting from the back of his 4x4 on his drive. The sun came out and the course flattened out until mile 18/19 and that was a long mile. Lots of smiling faces along the route, especially a couple on bikes who cheered me through about 4/5 times. Thank you for that! Loved the finish down the riverside. Overall, this is a race that everyone should do at least once.
Date of review: October 10, 2010

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

In short: Good race organisation apart from the toilets.
In full: Glad the sun came out which meant a better race than I was expecting when I arrived. The course was a bit windy so I would expect them to resolve that for next year :-). The car park was well organised, the course very much so and I can't complain about that. I just wish there wasn't an uphill finish!
Date of review: March 30, 2008

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

In short: I seem to remember one mile marker at 4 miles but it would have been nice to have them around more often. No PB with all the single file sections. Liked the brass bands though!
In full: The castle band was playing Ilkley Moor B'aht 'at when I approached so coming from Ilkley it gave me a much needed boost.
Date of review: September 4, 2006

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

In short: A bit of a disappointment overall.
In full: Bad bits, (i) bottleneck at the stadium and nine minutes to get to the first mile marker (ii) no energy drinks on way round (iii) some drinks stations short of people handing out drinks (iv) parking issues (v) lack of toilet facilities pre-race (vi) the cost and (vii) a request for a fiver to get a t-shirt! Good bits, (i) good marshalling (ii) atmosphere around the city (iii) a bouncy track for the last 100m!
Date of review: May 15, 2006

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

In short: Really enjoyable first race. Nothing to complain about. Lots of friendly faces on route. Lots said about the hills but they aren't that bad.
Date of review: May 10, 2006

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