My Event Ratings

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

In short: Not bad at all
In full: My first time at this. A 2 lap course which definately has PB potential. Well organised and a good atmosphere. I'll be back next year.
Date of review: June 28, 2012

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

In short: Great race again this year by ARC
In full: Another well organised and enjoyable race from Aldridge running club.I take part in this each year and my kids run in the various children's races too so it's a great for all the family. The only one negative I have is the memento at the end this year was by far the worst ever. That being a drawstring bag which was only marginally better quality than a Tesco carrier bag. It was a bit disappointing especially as in previous years there have been some fantastic memento's at this race.
Date of review: June 28, 2012

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

In short: OK for MK's first attempt
In full: Some plus points and negatives but overall a good race. The weather was horrendous which made the going tough, but obviously there's nothing the organisers could do about that. The course was very twisting and turning in parts and in my opinion, be described as undulating rather than flat. Granted there are no major hills but some challenging inclines. The marshal's did a great job and were friendly and encouraging all round the course. There were plenty of drinks stations which were well organised with lucozade and gels at some. Also, some great support from the locals at various points on the way.
The finish was far less than the Grandstand finish that was promised. We entered the football ground and had to run a short distance around the edge of the pitch.I was looking for the grand finish line, only to be met by a timing mat on the floor and a bloke in a fluorescent jacket standing by it. It was a bit of an anti climax after running a marathon in a monsoon. The medal was fine but the goody bag was woeful.
The course was also nearly half a mile over distance (my Garmin stated 26.59m). I thought initially that it was my Garmin to blame however I spoke to numerous runners who also had it over distance by similar amounts.
I won't be classing this a one of my favourite marathon courses and won't be doing it again,however, on the whole the race was good and I think it will be well supported in the coming years.


Date of review: May 1, 2012

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		40%

In short: Lovely scenery...hard as nails!!
In full: A lovely place to run. The hills are pure evil. Loads of stiles to jump over, gates to open, fields to cross which does hamper you getting into any steady stride. It is a great venue and the Derbyshire countryside is glorious. If you like that then this is a great race for you. If you want a fast time, forget it. The race had a nice atmosphere and the marshalls were great and offered encouragement when the going got tough. The terrain is quite treacherous to say the least as I found out to my peril when I fell..Twice!!. I have some nice cuts, grazes and a very sore knee as a souvenir now. It's also very good value for money at £10 on the day for affiliated runners. The t-shirt is nice.I'm not sure if I'll do it again, purely because I doubt that I'll want to punish myself with the near 3000ft of elevation.
Date of review: August 21, 2011

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

In short: Enjoyable race
In full: A well organised race.Conditions were better than expected with only a few icy parts which was good considering the weather we've had.A nice course on the country lanes and I was impressed with the t shirt compared to some of the t shirts I've had at other races.I'll be back to do this again I'm sure.
Date of review: December 27, 2010

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Unnorganised chaos...again!!!
In full: I have run in all 3 of the B,ham half marathons now and thought that after last years mistakes that Birmingham council would have learnt from these errors. Unfortunately not. Yet again there was absolutely no marshalling around the start zones and I found myself surrounded by a whole array of different coloured numbers on vests, none of which should have been in my start zone which was the black zone incidentally. This led to congestion right at the start. After actually getting over the start line I thought "ok, now I can get going"..Not so fast....after only a few yards in all their wisdom, the organisers narrowed the course and we were forced to walk through a bottleneck of runners. That, with trying to get past runners who had clearly started in the wrong zones spoilt the first few miles for me. After this, I did have a decent run and didn't experience any problems at the finish line that some have reported. If Birmingham wants this to be a successful annual event, they need to spend a little more time looking at these issues and the organisational side of things instead of just getting as many entries in as possible to line their pockets and hope for the best on the day. I have supported this run 3 times now and unless there is some clear indication next year that the problems have been addressed, it will be the last time I do. Lets face it there are plenty of other, better half marathons around...and cheaper too.
Date of review: October 26, 2010

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

In short: Good, well organised race
In full: Another well organised event like last year.I did the half marathon...the 2nd half of the course was definately harder but no real steep inclines.
Date of review: September 5, 2010

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

In short: Another great event from Aldridge running club
In full: My fourth time at this one and it was as good as ever.Excellent organisation again.Friendly atmosphere and brilliant to have chip timing this year too.My kids loved the childrens races again this year. Thanks to all the organisers and marshalls on the course. Well done Aldridge RC for another fantastic event.
Date of review: June 14, 2010

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		20%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In full: This appeared to be a good race with a good atmosphere and all started well. I unfortunately had my first ever DNF due to a calf injury. I got to 5 miles and my leg gave up and I could run no further. This is where the day got worse for me. I hobbled towards 2 race officials and asked what provisions there were for runners having to pull out because of injury, getting back to the start etc. I was told there wasn't any and that I'd have to make my own way. I was then directed towards a road and told to walk back into the town centre which was allegedly 2 miles away. If it wasn't for the kind police officer who gave me a bottle of water I'd have had to do the trek without any hydration as I was not near a water station at the time. I limped my way back to the town centre in the soaring heat, passing some rather dodgy groups of youths on the way, knowing if that they did decide to give me any grief I'd not be able to run away. Luckily nothing happened and I eventually got back to the centre after what was more like 4 miles and in alot of pain.
I was to say the least, disappointed with the lack of any first aid or assistance at a time I needed it. To be left to wander the streets of Coventry with an injury and no concern from the race officials is unacceptable as far as I'm concerned and I feel let down by the organisers. I'll not be back to do this race again..
Date of review: May 29, 2010

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

In short: The best race in the world
In full: Mt second marathon and I enjoyed it even more than the one before in 2007. Fantastic from beginning to end. I was dressed as Sportacus from Lazytown and the cheers and support I got were amazing, especially from the kids around the course. Even the water station staff were shouting "go sportacus"..it kept me going in those hard last few miles. I went through a painful last 2 miles but can't wait for the opportunity to do it all again
Date of review: April 27, 2010

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