My Event Ratings

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

In short: Hilly, trail based route
In full: First time I've done this, the weather was never going to help as it was very warm but other things didn't help:
1. Car park further than 500m from start/finish.
2. Poor organisation in car park resulting in a 20min delay, the marshalls weren't wearing bibs when I arrived so were being ignored as everyone tried to park in the shade.
3. There were no marshalls from 8km to the finish, I'm a back of the pack runner and I was completely confused as to where I should be running. It wasn't clear.

The map that was sent out didn't give any idea which way the route went, so people were confused at the starting line.

Overall, that first hill is a killer, and despite it being held in Chatsworth you see nothing of the house as you run away from it so really it could be in any country park.
Date of review: May 24, 2010

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

In short: Cheap local race in nice country park
In full: Blimey, I'd been warned about the killer hill at the beginning - to be honest, it wasn't that bad. The worst bit was the wind, but with a lovely autumn sun it was quite a pretty run through Clumber Park.
However, the 3rd water station was packed up when and seemed to have run out after 2 hours which was disappointing.
I wasn't sure about picking the numbers up on the day but it went quite smoothly, even though I'd forgotten to bring my number with me!
The finishers tshirt is unbelieavably yellow, I won't be wearing it near any wasps!
Date of review: October 27, 2009

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

In short: Excellently supported half
In full: Second time I've done this half. The support is fabulous. Well organised.

The official pacers came in too quickly.

Is expensive too, I like racing my local half but the price is a bit ouch.
Date of review: September 22, 2009

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

In short: Challenging undulating course
In full: Blimey, starts and ends on a slope.

As someone else has said - the mile markers seemed out. It took me twice as long to do the last mile as any other.

Nice goody bag, have already eaten all the contents (apart from the mug)!

Will hopefully do again next year and go for the 10 this time.
Date of review: August 31, 2009

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

In short: Challenging undulating course
In full: I aimed to do this faster than last year, which I did by 1 minute. The start is at the bottom of the hill which you have to run twice (it's a two lap race). The marshalls and support are absolutely excellent and very encouraging. Yet again they'd run out of ladies tshirts but the mens small fits and I love the logo on the front: 07:08:09:10k. Nice goody bag. Prize giving and social afterwards. Although it's a challenging course it's definitely a good one to do before the Nottingham half.
Date of review: August 8, 2009

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

In short: Nice finishers tshirt, free beer at the end much appreciated.
In full: Well organised race, started on time, roads were mostly closed to traffic although not always which meant you needed to be aware of the traffic. Some of the race goes past industrial estates etc. so not the prettiest, but fabulous support from the many marshalls along the route meant those that were flagging were encouraged onwards.
Date of review: June 14, 2009

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

In short: Nice course through a country park
In full: First time doing this one having heard it's a fast, flat course.
I knocked 3 mins off my pb despite the hideousness of the weather conditions.
Slight issues with the car parking meant that the race start was delayed by 15mins.
There were no small or medium womens tshirts when I finished but as they were skinnifit the marshalls were very helpful making sure we all got one that fitted us.
Definitely one to do again.
Date of review: June 7, 2009

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

In short: Hilly 2 lap race round the Uni
In full: Start was well organised, lots of marshalls all the way round. With the roads being open to cars though at one point I had no idea if the marshalls were shouting at me or the drivers. Nice goody bag, shame they ran out of womens though towards the end. Sociable drinks at the Hockey Club afterwards which was good.
Date of review: August 9, 2008

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

In short: Not one for a pb but a nice race
In full: First grumble - the entry forms & RW said entry forms had to be in by May 23rd, the website said May 30th. However, entry on the day was simple and easy.
Second grumble - there was apparently a starter with a loud-hailer. Most of the runners either had no idea he was there or couldn't hear him. There was no audible countdown to the start, so the hooter going was a surprise. Especially to families & marshalls who were standing amongst the runners.
Apart from that, this was a challenging course not least because being an open park you had to dodge the odd walker/French tourist. The support around the route was great and made the event very enjoyable.
There were queues for the ladies at the start, but as soon as they built up more were opened.
Date of review: June 16, 2008

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

In short: Scenic tour of Derby city centre!
In full: Never done this one before, looking at the route I realised it was full of doubling back points and sharp corners. The marshalls were great at encouragement. Someone else mentioned there were free bananas - only skins when I got to the finish! Tshirt is good, water was much appreciated as the midway water point was using cups when we got through which made it a challenge not to soak yourself in the already unseasonable weather. Overall, it was my first official 10k and I really enjoyed it.
Date of review: April 21, 2008

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