My Event Ratings

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

In short: Organisational disaster/ beginning that spoils a potentially good half marathon
In full: this is the first time i have run this half marathon and surprisingly i found it a worse experience than the Bristol half marathon, which is also very poorly run - this will be the Council input for you. how do you expect a few thousand to share/use 9 toilets in total before a race. this pressurises the inexperienced to run on a full bladder, which ain't good. where was the lucozade stand with pace bands and other stands for the beginning. no point having a band at the end of the race!! also running down a street where they're cooking - how cruel...
i did not really like the course and found it a bit boring, especially on the scenic front. the cobbles were very uncomfortable and could have been covered and the path through the park was worse. it was very flat with slight hillooks just in the wrong places - ow!!
i don't think this race has inspired me enough to come back next year and i will probably go elsewhwere next time. this is shame really as i have hears such good things from others who ran this last year and before.
go on do something that will entice me back!!

hope others enjoyed the experience and be running near one of you soon. Downton half is very picturesque is you fancy a good hilly run in the new forest!!
Date of review: October 14, 2007

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

In short: better than last year (which isn't saying much), but still well outdone by smaller back yard events!!
In full: i did this last year and i think i complained about everything. this year the start was better, but a thing could be learnt from Bath for the start. there the time zones were more definitive (ie more time zones) and you could only go in your own time slot.
the route was different to last year and yes the cobbles are not good for the ankles or calves and do nothing for morale at that point of the race, near the beginning you can cope a lot better as fresher. somebody thought it would be a laugh?
the signage for the start left something to be desired and they were too low.
we have a chip mat half way round, why not use this and let people know how long it took to get there and then they can get more out of the run and another talking point.
race results on the day was excellent, but advertise the fact you're going to do it and where the tent is. i found it by accident.
you know when the Council are involved with the crap and stingey goodie bags are given out. the lead charity should donate to the bags and the organisors, if only a mars or couple of biscuits to replenish energy. yes where were the bananas like other years? there are a lot of firms out there who would love to donate, but you have to go to them - don't expect everything to come to you.

as for Bristol being good and big. it is obviously too big for the organisors to cope with and they should think about this. they have 15,000 places, but never have 15,000 running - there must be something in this!!

i am glad i run at a pace that means i am near the front. the organisation and layout at the end needs tweeking and is utter confusion when the masses start rolling in with little direction.
i will do this again as it is normally my charity run for the year, but i need to get the enjoyment and value for money as well - it would be nice to have a T-shirt to show for it. how do you get female shirts only?? no there is no excuse to make that understandable.
well here's to next year and a better race (fingers crossed)
Date of review: September 11, 2007

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

In short: Splish Splosh, ooch ouch, but worth the experience
In full: i have to agree - well done to the marshalls and water pod people. they can't have enjoyed the weather. it was good to be met at these points by smiley faces and encouragement. just goes to show they were truely as mad as us runners! this is definitely a run that is value for money, especially with the T-shirt and medals and the sticky bun made it for me.

i was with a small group of 4 or 5 at the 1hr 30min mark and to you all well done in the inclement weather.
i hope to see you all at Bath, Taunton and London if you're really mad!
bizarrely enough i actually got my personal best time in this race, which makes me wish it had been dry and who knows....
it was good to see a full turn out for a small village even with the weather, but that makes the race. it was nice to find such a friendly atmosphere as well, all prepared to talk and support each other through the run.
i may choose to run up the River Severn next year, i think it would be easier!
i would consider doing this run again and can only take the word of others that the scenery is good, as i couldn't see it.
Well done to everyone who took part including organisers and lets hope for more like this in the future. better then Bristol 1/2 marathon this year!!

can anyone tell me how to find out the results for my curisity?
Are there any pictures anywhere as i remember seeing a flash at some point and i don't think that was the lightning!
Date of review: November 27, 2006

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

In short: I found the organisation of the whole event was lacking. the end was total confusion and little direction, especially for those of slower time. i thought the course was quite hard especially in the heat and not flat!
Date of review: September 18, 2006

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