My Event Ratings

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

In short: A few rough edges but fundamentally sound
In full: Good atmosphere, support and organisation. I had high expectations for this race and wasn't disappointed. Loved the quirkiness of the route around the lake and pier. Chip timing and enough space to overtake. Very clear marshalling. Really good stuff. A few rough edges but all trivial. Only thing I didn't like was the sharp left-hander just before the finish line. Would've been nice to have a longer straighter approach to the finish.
Date of review: February 7, 2011

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

In short: Something for everyone
In full: I liked the scenery, the trees, ponds and parks. This was a plus for me, not a minus. I didn't mind going right round (baby) like a record baby right round right round Sefton Park - I can think of worse places. Although I got very disorientated.

Minor minus points were: The start. It was cold and the 10 minutes delay made it even colder whilst standing shivering waiting for the gun.

Not very spectator friendly, if you had someone coming along for the day. No real shelter and limited entertainment while waiting for the runners to return.

A bigger gripe was the lack of marathon-photos.com. There was a big bit of puff in the information pack that arrived with the entry pack, but marathon-photos weren't there (I emailed them to check).

But far more pluses than minuses. I liked this race a lot. The crowd on the approach to the finish were great.
Date of review: March 6, 2008

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

In short: Does what it says - a great confidence booster for the GNR
In full: This was my first race and I'd read the comments carefully before deciding to take the plunge. I'm glad I did. The marshalls were all very friendly and encouraging.

There was a single long queue for the gents' cubicle in the toilets which I decided I didn't have time to join. My wife said later that she spotted some public toilets on the other side of the car park (although I don't know if they were open(!), so perhaps this could be mentioned on the form or somewhere are toilet facilities did appear to be very limited for men and women. I remembered the public toilets in Corbridge and decided that my comfort came before time and nipped in there during the race. Felt much better for it, (though this is probably more information than you need to know).

The forecast was warm and I was really concerned about dehydration, especially as one poster mentioned that there was only one cup of water available at the water station. Seems to have been fixed. Some very smiley girls were offering 500ml bottles of water at 4 and 7 miles so I needn't have worried.

I really loved this race and it was great for a beginner.

Date of review: September 9, 2007

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