My Event Ratings

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

In short: Snow!
In full: I last did this race two years ago in beautiful spring sunshine. Saturday's race couldn't have been more different! After a grueling ascent to mile 6, thinking I'd worn too much we descended into a snow 'storm' which not only spoiled the outstanding view but sapped your energy and will to live! However, on everyone plodded, eyes squinting and hands unusable. It was definitely character building out there!

Crazy weather aside, this is a really great race, through fantastic welsh countryside. Parking, race HQ, the start and finish are all within a stones throw of each other and you get a nice tshirt upon finishing. Ample pubs are nearby too to reward yourself and for watching certain rugby matches.

I'll be back next year and will hope for that spring sun again!
Date of review: March 18, 2013

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

In short: Running by the seaside
In full: Overall, a great course (although slightly narrow in places, resulting in bottlenecks), a nice atmosphere and great medal and goody bag (the crisps were much appreciated and swiftly consumed). Toilets provision was minimal though, I didn't even try to get in the queue. Also, as mentioned by a few people on here, there wasn't enough water (and I wasn't sure about those water 'sacks'). I had a lovely time though and a shiny new HM pb to boot. I would definitely do it again.
Date of review: February 20, 2013

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

In short: Good early season benchmark race
In full: Good parking and registration facilities. Nice atmosphere, great marshalls and pancake flat course around pretty farmland.
One gripe. The usual gripe. Only Large and XL tshirts left at the end. "The men had taken the Smalls" apparently. Keep the smalls for the ladies!!! We don't want to wear tents.
Otherwise, a lovely morning in Newport.
Date of review: February 4, 2013

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

In short: Works up a good appetite for Sunday Lunch.
In full: A great course to test your flat speed and hill climbing. Rewarding views at the peaks of Pen Dinas and Constituion Hill. A brilliant, no nonsense goody bag at the finish. Thanks AAC, I'll be back again next year.
Date of review: October 30, 2012

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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 full: Finally, the sun came out for the Snowdonia Marathon! Excellent organisation and camaraderie as always. The great weather made the views more spectacular than ever and it was a real treat being able to finish the race with dry feet.
If there's one marathon you'll ever do, make it this one!
Date of review: October 30, 2012

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

In short: A great early season challenge
In full: A perfect race for those training for spring marathons.
A great course along the Taff Trail with one or two challenging hills, especially the one at 7 miles. The stony path between 11 and 13 miles sure saps your energy and the big steps are a surprise!
The marshalls and St John's Ambulance coverage was brilliant and were a great encouragement. Plenty of water on the course and the gels were welcome at 12.5 mile (especially in that heat!).
Very convenient race HQ at the college which meant a stress free pre and post race.
Well done San Dom, I'll be back again for another t-shirt!

Date of review: March 26, 2012

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

In short: Great Race - do you really need to make it bigger?
In full: I last did the Llanelli Half 4 years ago and it's retained its small race charm, despite an increase in entrants.

The course is mainly flat with a few little drags so it has great pb potential. Indeed yesterday I got my first sub 2 hour half marathon time so I'm chuffed (despite that ferocious headwind in the last 2.5 miles!!).

Water on the last turnaround point and the bottle caps being taken off would've been useful but thanks to the marshalls.

The race memento was a nice change from a medal or tshirt and now sits proudly on my mantlepiece. Thankfully I declined to take the awful baseball cap on offer at the finish.

A great early spring half marathon to do. Lovely scenary, a good size crowd and potential for fast times.

Not sure about the changes next year. Please don't get too big.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: Probably the best marathon around
In full: My second running of this race and despite wind, constant rain and a sore hip I managed to beat last year's time by 9 minutes.

It's a tough race but the magnificent views (although slightly obscured this year!), mind-blowing setting and great camararderie really make it special.

Ample aid stations and a surprising amount of support most of the way around. Excellent organisation...although I have a slight, slight gripe - this year's 'small' tshirt wasn't small at all, not like last year's nicely fitted one. Ah well, details.

Thank you Eryri. I'll hopefully return next year and for many years to come!
Date of review: October 31, 2011

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

In short: Dull course!
In full: Ok I admit, I had a terrible race. My race legs just didn't show up.

This was my 4th Cardiff Half, 4th different route and by far the most boring. It's such a shame that the organisers took out Riverside's residential streets and Bute Park to replace them with dull, draggy dual carriage ways.
Medal was ok but the t-shirt was another for the pyjama drawer.
I guess the organisation was good overall but this race is in danger of becoming too big for its own good.
Date of review: October 17, 2011

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

In short: Tough race in tough conditions but worth it for the scenery and cake.
In full: A pretty tough race along a windy prom and up two of Aberystwyth's famous peaks - Pen Dinas and Constitution Hill. Glorious views at the peaks which made the climbs worth it. Great and sufficient marshalls, generous goody bag and t-shirt and ample tea and cake to reward us at the end. Thank you AAC!
Date of review: October 10, 2011

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