My Event Ratings

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

In short: Enjoyable and pretty well organised
In full: This is the largest running event I've done apart from London, and for the most part the organisers seemed to have it pretty well thought out. Being at the faster end of things I didn't have a problem with anything running out (though I did notice the volunteers did need to be told not to give too much out at once!) and I think the baggage system was passable.

Still the usual problems at the start of crazy people pushing up to the front and then getting in everyone's way - but that's human nature, I suppose! In general I thought there was good support on the way round (after all, it's not much fun watching a road race) and the bands were great. Good, well organised jelly babies too though they started too late (and I'm not sure who needs them at 12.5 miles!).

The only major problem was the shuttle buses getting back to the station - it took almost an hour! If they can't lay on bus lanes they should start the buses further away from the stadium and avoid the worst of the traffic.

But my first half and I was pleased with my time, so no complaints.
Date of review: March 2, 2008

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

In short: Bit pricey but a very well-organised race
In full: A nice, pretty flat course - really only one hill worth the name and the view from the top makes it worthwhile. There is definite PB potential here.

Communications (post, forms and website) from organisers ranged from formal to downright unfriendly, but on the day marshals were v pleasant and the organisation was extremely impressive - particularly control of traffic and free bag storage. Could have been improved by pens (or just signs) at the start for expected finish times, but I quite enjoyed moving through the field all the way round so not too many complaints. Also would like more sports drinks, or the opportunity to have my own put out.

It is very steep (particularly online) especially since you only get a medal, banana and water at the end (and parking cost me £6), but they say that profits go to charity and signage and water/sponge stations (every 2 miles) were very good.

By the time I got to the merchandise stall they'd run out of hoodies and most other things in my size. I'm a fairly normal size and got there at 12.40, so someone should have thought a bit more about that.
Date of review: April 29, 2007

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

In short: Decent smallish friendly race in a nice part of the country
In full: There were problems with water (I was the 10th person through the water station at 21 miles and they'd already run out), and the marshalling was not perfect enough to stop me taking a wrong turn in the last mile, which cost me about 2 mins! Not a really tough course, but a fair bit of wind on the coast road, and a few hills to keep things interesting. Friendly organisers and a delicious pasty when you finish. Organisation beforehand seemed v smooth. Overall it's probably worth doing, but I guess only once.
Date of review: March 11, 2007

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

In short: Fully deserves its place among RW favourites
In full: What a great race! Obviously lots of people love it because of the PB potential, but there's more too it than that - perfect organisation, friendly staff and marshals, a huge RW forum contingent and a great atmosphere on the course, everyone encouraging and motivating each other.

Pretty good support too from spectators - who had plenty of pubs along the route to drop into! I'd recommend it to anyone.
Date of review: October 22, 2006

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