My Event Ratings

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

In short: Superb out and back course with spaced out hills and absolutely cracking scenery!
In full: I heard that this course was undulating with about 800ft of ascent, which wasn't far off the mark. After a flat start a few gentle though long inclines lead to the Haweswater dam, and from then on the scenery - especially on an amazing sunny winter's day - just kept on improving! The longest and toughest hill is at about five miles (which you hit again after you've rounded the mid-course turn), but thankfully the fells around the head of Haweswater were breathtaking and provided ample distraction from the road - they were like a scene from the Swiss Alps! Despite the hills I managed to scrape a PB over the course so by all means give it a go!
Date of review: March 10, 2010

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

In short: My first marathon, in at the deep end, but managed to run all the way despite the hills!
In full: Very hilly route - the T-shirt proclaims it to be the "World's Toughest Road Marathon" - apparently run in an anti-clockwise direction for the first time (in a while anyway), which gets the biggest climb out of the way almost immediately. Glorious scenery running down Great Langdale and over into Little Langdale helped by almost ideal running conditions this year. Pace yourself well, drink and refuel a little at the well-spaced water stations, and you'll have a great race like I did!
Date of review: December 15, 2009

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

In short: Hills, moorland, reservoirs, tracks, paths, viaducts and a fair amount of mud!
In full: A really good mix of terrain with plenty of wild scenery and conditions underfoot. This year (my first) it was dry, overcast and calm, though in murky weather I imagine parts of the first half could be pretty bleak. If you aren't lucky enough to have other runners in your sights, in places you may need a map as many sections, turning points and junctions aren't waymarked. All in all a great route though quite tough going at times.
Date of review: September 14, 2009

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

In short: A fast and fairly flat course that's well marshalled and welcoming
In full: Most of the route is on tracks or alongside the Ribble, so it's pretty scenic. There is one slight incline at about 4.5 miles but otherwise it's really quite flat and offers a good chance of getting a PB. Well organised and well marshalled, and the proceeds go to a fantastic cause. It also takes place twice a year, in summer and winter, so have a go!
Date of review: August 2, 2009

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

In short: First time I ran this course but apparently the last time it will be used for this race
In full: This is a two lap course mainly on wide woodland trails, and is quite undulating throughout. It's actually surprising just how much ascent there is over the whole course I think! Despite this it is a fairly quick route and I managed a PB over it so was pretty chuffed! The race starter said that this year (2009) would be the last time the race would be run over the existing route, so we'll have to see what it's like next time.
Date of review: July 29, 2009

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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		80%

In short: A good race with some challenging inclines and excellent views at times
In full: More or less flat for first mile; long gradual uphill to second mile; nice long downhill to third mile; steep ascent easing off to fourth mile. There are good views over Pendle and to the west around fourth mile (the highest part of the course) and from here on it's flat and downhill to the finish. Well-organised race as usual. Almost got a 10K PB here but not quite!
Date of review: July 29, 2009

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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		80%

In short: Not too hilly with nice trail sections though can rather muddy after rain
In full: A decent semi-rural course, especially considering how close it is to north Manchester. A reasonably flat race with most of the climbing is over the first couple of miles, though the ascents are mainly on road and not too demanding. Certainly worth doing with some PB potential.
Date of review: July 28, 2009

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