My Event Ratings

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

In short: Interesting course, lots of local support, great charity course
In full: My second time at this race, it's a nice Sunday morning out in the Chilterns. First half is hilly and second half flat, ideal for a negative split! Entry fee isn't the cheapest but it raises money for the Chilterns MS Centre, which is well worth a few quid extra. Will be back again next year I'm sure.
Date of review: May 19, 2013

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Brilliant marathon course with friendly, effective organisation
In full: This race was a great experience all round. The organisation was brilliant, marshals were so friendly and encouraging, and there was good support from the locals too. If the weather is nice it's a good course for spectators too, miles 6/12/18 are very close so your fan club can cheer you on several times and get back to the finish in time to see you gallop home. It is pretty close to pancake flat too, and I liked the two-lap course. I got a 17-second PB... not the time I was hoping for but I ran with a smile all the way. Great camaraderie amongst the marathon field on the second lap too. And there is always the half for those who only fancy the one lap! Highly recommended!!
Date of review: October 8, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Loved it! Great course and organisation, beautiful scenery, challenging but satisfying!
In full: Thanks Woodstock Harriers for a marvellous race, loads of smiley enthusiastic marshals (loved the celebrity masks on the last lap), plentiful water stations, nice medal and goody bag. The course has a few long hills, but the flowing, gradual downhills made up for the testing uphills. The 3-lap course suited me well, and I really liked knowing exactly where water would be on subsequent laps. Was great to be able to bring spectators into the park free. And I got a 12 mile 198 yard PB - will have to try and beat it at next year's race...
Date of review: September 22, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Pretty route over undulating hills, very well organised, 5* marshals.
In full: Thanks Witney Roadrunners for a well organised race over a really gorgeous course. The extra water stations were much appreciated in this hot weather, and there were lots of marshals giving encouragement at the top of the hills! Nice bright tech tee is a great memento. Was pretty near the back of the field when I'm usually in the middle, so seems quite a strong field for this one. Hope to return next year.
Date of review: September 9, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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: Well-organised, nearly flat. Great for all abilities.
In full: I've done this race four times now, I really like the flattish, pretty course and the size of the field (big enough to have a proper 'event' atmosphere, not so big it's too crowded). Lots of locals cheering, perfect for the serious and not-so-serious runner.
Date of review: June 24, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Undulating first 5k followed by flat second half, nice route, great cause.
In full: Really enjoyed the 2012 race. Weather was on the cool side for spectators but ideal for running. Only two hills in first half, with nice long downhills in between. Lots of cheery marshalls and residents. Great local race for a great local cause (Chilterns MS Centre). Thanks Prestwood.
Date of review: May 22, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great finish in stadium, ok course, hectic at start and finish.
In full: The best bit of this race - and what sets it apart from other similar events - is the stadium finish. The course was mentally draining in places, with some nasty little inclines and little to look at towards the end of the race, with a long dual carriageway section and a horrid hairpin loop just before mile 12 that makes you feel you'll never get to the end! The start was as good as can be expected for a race with 18,000 participants, but the finish (after we'd exited the stadium) was too much of a confined area, and seemed chaotic compared to other big events I've attended. Drinks should have been handed out first - not last! Had to queue for ages to get through the silver foil handing out, chip removal, medal awarding and goody bag grabbing before we finally laid our hands on some water. Then the meeting area signs were not clear enough on exit so runners wandered aimlessly around a dusty gravelly car park. The pre-booked car parking worked well before the race but we could have done with more marshalling within the car park when we were all queuing to leave. Can't help feeling Reading bites off a little more than it can chew with 18,000 entries - maybe a lower limit would have led to a less stressful experience.
Date of review: April 2, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Friendly and fast, great for first-timers
In full: This was my first triathlon and I had a great time despite the wet and windy weather. Organisation was a little patchy though. Latest race briefing was at 8am and my start time was 9:42, which meant a quite a bit of hanging around (would give the briefing a miss next time, it didn't tell me anything that wasn't in race info pack). Poolside instructions a bit vague for first-timers - nobody calling out wave numbers. Next time I will know to be more on the ball. Easy set up for transition but some slightly slippy slopes to enter and exit from swim and to/from bike. Bike route pretty and flat apart from ma-hoosive pothole going onto the High Street in Thame - could have done with a marshall at that point to warn cyclists - I nearly came off and saw a few others who had hit the deck completely. Some mats from transition area could also have been a trip hazard. Apart from that, a great course for first-timers and one I will do again as it's very local. Was enough to get me hooked on triathlon and start thinking about investing in a new bike...
Date of review: July 18, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A well organised race but don't expect a PB, it's too hilly!
In full: The Wycombe Half was a well organised event in general, although they really need to get some extra loos arranged for the ladies (and poss men too?) I gave up in the end after queuing for 20 mins and not getting anywhere. Apparently it was like this last year too? The race itself was ok, but the hills in the first 2 miles really start take their toll on your endurance by about mile 10. The rest of the route was slightly frustrating too, with a lot of winding around through residential roads, and a really painful last mile where you can see the finish all the way and feel as if you'll never get there. We were rewarded with a fluorescent T-shirt (in sports tech material) and nice medal. The goodie bag had enough chocolate in it to deal with post-race munchies (plus fruit for the healthier option). One to try if you fancy a challenge, I'll see how I feel next year...
Date of review: July 19, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great course, slick organisation, five star event!
In full: My second time doing this event, and it was even hotter than last year! Did a better time though, very pleased with it considering the heat. Brilliant organisation, thank you to the multitude of cheery marshalls. Good public turnout too to give you a boost along the way. Nice (slightly random) goodies. Everything you could want from a 10k - I love this race and plan to do again next year.
Date of review: June 28, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator