My Event Ratings

Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Only because I won't do any marathon more than once!
In full: This is a very unusual race in that you run through the Mersey Tunnel from the Wirral side to the Liverpool side, with half-way being in the tunnel.

The route is very varied, a mixture of estuary front, city centre, park and industrial, it doesn't get boring.

The organisation was excellent, there are plenty of shuttle buses to get you to the start, and the PA at the start was very good too.

Support throughout was good, excellent in places- the drummers at the exit of the tunnel particularly so.

There is definite PB potential here, I trained for 3:30 and ended up with 3:29:11, although there is a whacking great hill at about 18 miles, once you get through that it's either flat or downhill.

Highly recommended!
Date of review: October 29, 2012

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

In short: Brilliant race again- well done!
In full: This was my second year doing this race, again I could find no fault. Don't be put off by the small entry list, this race will convert even the staunchest 'big race' junkie.

Loads of parking, easy to find and more or less straight out of the industrial estate where the stadium is into the countryside.

The canal path section is lovely, the fist half is flat, the second half less so with the two hills oft mentioned elsewhere definitely challenging!

Support varies from Sunday morning dog walkers and bike riders (all of whom get well out of the way) to the residents of the odd village the route takes you through.

The scenery really is gorgeous throughout, what a shame to see the British Legion Club gutted by fire though.

I've PB'd both times I've done this race so it must be a quickie, even with them there hills. I will be back again, and again, and again.
Date of review: March 15, 2012

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

In short: Great course, great scenery, two tough hills, great organisation. Great!
In full: I travelled from Doncaster (50-60 miles) for this race because I needed a half marathon on my marathon training schedule.

I would not hesitate to travel in the future just to do this race. The venue is easy to find, there is ample parking and good facilities within. Spot on.

The bottleneck getting out of the stadium was hardly noticeable, probably due to the relatively low numbers.

Even though the event is not billed as traffic free, most of it is on country roads with hardly any traffic, with a big section along the canal towpath. It's not a problem at all.

As for the route, it takes in a few little villages, plus a number of miles along the towpath. It's very nice all the way round, not Lake District nice, but about the nicest you'll find in the Yorks/Lincs area. It's fairly flat on the whole, apart from the two hills...

One is at around half way, the other is just after 10 miles. The one after 10 miles is particularly challenging, steepening, up to a 12% incline at the top. Forewarned is forearmed!

There were 4 water stations in all, which should be enough for anyone. None of them had energy drinks available, which would be my only gripe, but that's being very picky.

The post race goodies consisted of 2 chocolate bars, banana, energy drink and technical T-shirt. In short, much better than the normal.

All in all, this race is very well worth doing, certainly one of my faves already! For 15 quid, you'll struggle to find anything as good.
Date of review: March 24, 2011

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

In short: Fantastic race, but the hills are killers!
In full: This race is described as 'undulating', whereas I think 'hilly' suits it better. There are few truly flat sections, as well as 3 long, hard climbs.

Saying that, what else would you expect in the Lake District? Fantastic scenery all the way round, and good support and cheering in all the villages/towns the route takes you through.

Water and energy drinks every 3 miles or so, with Kendal Mint Cake, which was a nice change. The water was in 330ml bottles, so you could take on carbs and water at the same stop, which was very welcome.

Although it's not technically traffic free, large segments have road closures, and the rest of the time the cars are so well marshalled you don't know they're there.

Everyone should run this race, for the scenery if nothing else. Just don't go in half-cock, or you will be punished....
Date of review: May 20, 2009

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

In short: Great race, but too hot!
In full: Top marks for the organisers!

The exit from the stadium seemed smoother and less crowded than last year, my first mile was 8:20 instead of 9:40 and i didn't run any faster!

Eccy Road was great again, and there were a fair few in the city centre cheering us on.

Many thanks to the delightful young lady who took my chip off me at the end cos I was too tired to do it myself. it was too hot but nobody can help that! I'll be back!
Date of review: May 20, 2007

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

In short: Hard but very enjoyable!
In full: Very well done to all the marshalls, whose instruction/encouragement was spot on. Road traffic was very light and respectful.
Nice course, but beware the hills if you run in a flat part of the world normally, I think I'll pace (or train) myself better next time!
My only gripe was the sole water station being at 5 miles. One at 3 and one at 6 would have made more sense in my opinion, especially for the beginners but maybe that's just me.
A big pat on the back to all involved- bravo!
Date of review: March 4, 2007

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

In short: My first half-marathon- I'll be back!
In full: My first effort at the distance, from the start in what is a cracking stadium, all the way through I had fun.
Opening 3 miles not too great scenically, but then you pass Elysium (Bramall Lane) and head towards Eccleshall Road, which you run up, and then down (turnaround point was manna from heaven). Oh, that road. My knee packed in half-way up, if it weren't for the crowd and the music I'd have walked. Ran the last 6 miles with a pronounced limp, making the hills proper hard, but enough water, sponges and encouragement to keep me running all the way.

Now, I can't walk, I have to go to the doctors tomorrow. Time off sick is beckoning (I need to be mobile in my job), but I'd do it all again tomorrow. Fantastic!
Date of review: May 14, 2006

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

In short: My first ever race- had a lot of fun but watch out for the hills!
In full: My first ever race, in Sheffield's largest park. Very scenic parkland/woodland route, part on grass, part on paths.
The course is undulating, with two particularly hard climbs, but I got round OK!
I had trained quite well, had a bad knee and got round in 40mins 40secs.
The run has given me renewed confidence for the Sheffield half-marathon in 4 weeks, and I will be back next year!
PS Obviously I can't comment on organisation as I have nothing to compare it with!
Date of review: April 16, 2006

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