My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great if you're not caught in the congestion, but course & general setup could not handle the number of runners.
In full: I felt very lucky to be in the first pen, as it sounds like it was a bit of a nightmare for the mid-packers.

My only gripes were the delayed start because people were still arriving at start area at 9am... I had to battle through crowds of spectators to get to my area (climbing the barriers in the process).. oh and the bottleneck 50m after the start (It held me up slightly and I was in the first wave!).

Running down the long road on the return section of the course to be greeted by runners coming at me head on, on the wrong side of the course (A sign that the course wasn't wide enough for the masses).

And which idiot put the 500m to go sign about 150m-200m before the finish? I held off my finishing kick far too late as a result.

Otherwise, really enjoyed the race, good standard of competition, great support from the locals, and a pretty quick course. No Cranberry Sauce in the goody bag this year though :o( lol.
Date of review: October 24, 2010

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

In short: Lovely scenic course but very tough & hilly - ROUTE IS 5.8mi NOT 6!
In full: I suspect the course must've had an extra loop into the village or something for the first running(s) of this event as the course is now only 5.8mi, and not as the title would suggest 6mi.

Friendly atmosphere and well marshalled event that's fairly small in size. Whilst roads are not closed they are very traffic free (perhaps 1-2cars all the way round?). Some challenging climbs, which combined with the hot weather makes PB pace very unlikely (Except there aren't really any other 5.8mi races around - or unless you use your result as a 6mi race time)

Very well organised on the day, except it's now Wednesday and results still aren't available.
Date of review: June 30, 2010

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Great fancy dress 'fun run'
In full: Really enjoyed the atmosphere and everyone was in great spirits, some great fancy dress and a whole new experience running in the dark!

My experience of the event was somewhat tainted by the utter stupidity of one of the Marshals/scarers who came running out of control down a hill in the woods straight into me, sending me flying into the undergrowth - just what you want after slogging your guts out in cords and a wig for 3.5mi!
Date of review: November 1, 2009

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

In short: A great first running of the event - a few tweaks and no doubt it'll be evenn better next year.
In full: Not as much mud or water as I'd expected (as would've liked), Marshalls and spectators were all great, friendly and made for a lovely atmosphere.

More tape and marshalls required, whilst there were plenty of signs etc, but once you've just leapt over a fence running at pace, you need to know where to go instantly, not be looking up for signs to figure out where to go.

More obstacles and less covering the same ground through the forest would improve the event in my opinion.

All in all a very good event, and a brilliant race T-shirt!!! (One that I won't be embarrassed to wear in public).
Date of review: July 27, 2009

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

In short: Perfect organisation and tremendous atmosphere.
In full: My hat goes off to the organisers. Other than a bit of a big queue for the baggage area, I can't fault the event one bit. A pleasure from start to finish.
Date of review: October 20, 2008

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

In short: First time doing this one, good race, great organisation and atmosphere, nice course with pleasant scenery.
In full: Really enjoyed it, was a tough race for me as I'd not done much training, but was happy with my (approximate) time. Loved the route, and I can't say a lot more!

Only things I'd change are at the finish, to have an actual 'finish' banner somewhere, I wasn't quite aware where the finish was until I was 15m away. And also to have a clock/display at the finish line so you know your official time as you finished, I know I turned in off the road @ 54:15 but not sure what time I crossed the line! Otherwise the event was faultless... well done Stratford AC!
Date of review: January 28, 2007

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

In short: Fantastic Race, Undulating but great scenery, Great atmsophere - Only minor improvements away from perfection!
In full: The course was certainly undulating, not quite so much hilly, but did have long inclines/decents to keep you on your toes. I felt it had quite a big race feel for what really was a small field. A really nice scenic course with superb marshalling and good support from the spectators, coupled with perfect running weather lead the way for a fantastic atmosphere and a great race.

Problems? Room for improvement?
Looking at the race objectively, the race pack stated there would be signs guiding everyone from the local parking to the start line, personally I saw none (made my way using the map), and I believe there were a few people who struggled to find the start line in time!
Secondly, for the life of me I couldn't find a definitive start line... I saw a START banner on a bush, but had no idea where to start my stopwatch!
Lastly, there needs to be a tannoy system warning of a 15,10,5 minute countdown to the race start. I was near to the start line expecting to be setting off in a few minutes time when the start siren sounded, leaving me to start from the back of the field when typically I would've started somewhat nearer the front, I'm certain that I wasn't the only one in this position!


Date of review: October 9, 2006

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

In short: A fantastic small race, great organisation, just a shame England lost beforehand!
In full: Lovely scenery, fantastic atmosphere and the whole event ran like clockwork. Was a bad race for me personally (started off far too fast) and so I had nothing left to give at 'the hill' after 5 miles, but the event atmosphere and organisation more than made up for it.

The only improvements I can think of for next year would be a timing clock at the finish line for those who don't run with a stopwatch, and *maybe* two drinks stations?! But all in all a flawless event... big congratulations to the organisers!
Date of review: July 2, 2006

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

In short: Fantastic Scenery, if you can spare the time/energy to look at it
In full: Maybe it was that I put all my effort into this race, but I found it pretty darn hard. Predominantly on an incline, the course was challenging and the heat made it even harder. Good (wise) start time, only improvements I'd like to see are maybe the use of timing chips (reasonably sized field but comparatively narrow start), and as I've mentioned to a few people, reversing the course would be greatly appreciated for next year.

My 2nd 10k and I managed a PB, though i was surprised to. Certainly the most difficult race i've done to date, I think the race would rate higher with beginners if it were less challenging. Great Organisation, and no problems that come to mind... ooh, note for organisers: The water for those who'd finished was well hidden from the finish line... i.e. the point your wanting water the most!
Date of review: June 11, 2006

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

In short: My local race and first ever 1/2 Marathon - Fantastic day with great organisation.
In full: I was slightly concerned that the start had no pacing markers (ensuring start position according to intended pace); the start was unavoidably congested but moved everyone moved swiftly and I wasn't held up at all. There were plenty of water/sponge stations and i'm sure the numerous WC's on course were appreciated by many. Nice medal and a tasty banana. Crowds were great and organisation fantastic, WELL DONE ORGANISERS!!!

Really REALLY enjoyed the day and managed to beat my estimated time by 10 mins, will definately come back each year in future!
Date of review: May 7, 2006

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