My Event Ratings

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

In short: Marvellous, well-organised event
Date of review: January 15, 2012

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

In short: I adore this race
In full: I've not participated in this for a few years and i had forgotten how wonderful it was. It's a beautiful, wonderful route - made more special by marvelous marshals. Thank you to he lovely lady i ran with between 6-8Km - i was ranting about cake and wine; sorry.
Date of review: October 30, 2011

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

In short: Lots of potential to be a great city half
In full: There were some teething problems which can all be worked on for next year - traffic at Kassam pre-race, baggage etc. but around i think generally for an inaugural event it went well. There are certainly more scenic parts of Oxford than the ring-road and the BMW plant; maybe a circuit around the University parks or taking in a bit more of the Town & Gown Route. For me, the major issue was running on the pavements from Cowley, up High Street and along the Abingdon Road. When tourists/shoppers weren't absent mindedly stepping out in front of runners, fellow participants were taking a break and through no fault of there own there was no room to get around them. It was good, i enjoyed it. Pre-race the organisers were easy to contact and responded quickly to queries in a helpful and friendly manner. Would probably do it again.
Date of review: September 25, 2011

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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: Enjoyed this so much more than last time
In full: Very much enjoyed this race. Despite the rain, and the cold. Was very busy, would have appreciated more direction and organisation when getting the buses at the end. Thank you to all the supporters who came out in such filthy weather
Date of review: June 13, 2011

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

In short: hated it two years but improvements have worked
Date of review: April 6, 2009

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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		60%

In short: By January 1st, I always regret entering but...
In full: ...i'm always so pleased that i do. just enjoy it so much. Think the request by organisers for entrants not to wear MP3 players added to the overall camaraderie :)

More loos though, please...
Date of review: January 19, 2009

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

In short: Goodness me it was tough but enjoyable...
In full: Did GNR two weeks ago, so in terms of atmosphere wasn't expecting anything to compare really, but was great couldn't fault the support ( a little sparse in some places such as the Uni- guess it was a bit early for them) and the camaraderie amongst the runners was great. Started flagging around 11-12M but was spurred on by a lovely man who said that I'd been 50 yards ahead of him the whole way round, so not to give up now - cheers mate. Troughly recommend it it, but it's no walk in the park.
Date of review: October 20, 2008

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

In short: I love this race
In full: I love this race. 2nd time of doing and i really feel quite emotional about the whole experience. A few things though:
1)I'm no speedy gonzales but really do wish that allocation in starting pens was decided on proven ability to run this distance. I was in green zone H, I assume two hours plus, and by mile 1 I was passing orange bibs who were walking. After the race somebody who was sitting behing me on the bus said that she put down that she would run it sub-2 hours, having never ran this distance before, but actually ended up doing in 2 hours 33minutes. In the grand scheme of things it's not too important but would be fairer on others.
2) Would appreciate more organisation at the end of the run. 5 guys in hi-vis jackets standing around talking to each other about buses does not help. All people want is to be told where to stand and there be some of obvious form of organistion, not an apparent free-for-all.
3)head-phones. just a general gripe I have and partly directed to the lady who swore at me at 8-9 miles. I'm sorry i accidentally nudged you however I did say excuse me before I tried to pass you. had i realised you were listening to an ipod i would have tried again. Maybe if you enter again you will consider not wearing headphones during the race and get to experinece the whole atmosphere and interact with your fellow competitors.

Otherwise, lovely, lovely awesome. thankyou Newcastle/Gatehead :)
Date of review: October 7, 2008

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

In short: Good race, ok organisation....
In full: ....but was unaware of problems relating to medals. Managed to get Lucozade when i was supposed to but had to wade through the jelly baby massacre at several points. For the price, I would like a t-shirt as nothing else would show off 'look what i've done' next time i go running. I supposed i could wear my medal... Felt that coloured 'pens' for start could have been better marshalled. it's one thing to tell people where they should stand, it's another thing to make them. Car parks were very well organised. Apart from the idiots in the crowd who stepped into me at 9 miles (thanks to the rest of the crowd for the expletives hurled at them) generally i very good day. really enjoyed it. Got a PB :)
Date of review: March 3, 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: A good race to get you going for the year
In full: I do enjoy this race. The views at the top of the hill are beautiful, and the atmosphere and camaraderie as you go round for me, make this a very fun race. I can't say that I have found this to be overly 'clubby' but then again I am towards the back and keep away from all that. As for the memento, I think I prefer the previous years coaster but for £9/10 it is still a good offering. I do wonder if they should think about introducing Chip timing though, I'm sure a small price increase would not put off people from entering the 30th best race (as voted by RW readers!)
Date of review: January 21, 2008

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