My Event Ratings

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: on the damp side . . .
In full: What a shame that the terrible weather affected what is normally such an enjoyable and well organised event. I can imagine the organisers agonised over the decision to cancel the marathon for ages beforehand, desperately hoping they could keep it going for the enjoyment of all the competitors. However when they took that difficult decision I am sure that they took it with the safety of all the competitors in mind and am immensely grateful for all their efforts before and during the race. The weather was pretty unprecedented, and whatever decision they took, there would have been some criticism.

When the race got underway and I got over the disappointment of my first sub three hour marathon (ha!!) being cancelled, I thought it went relatively smoothly and I felt so alive in the battering headwind on the Greenway! THANKS so much to all the supporters along the way who were so enthusiastic – especially the Marshalls who gave up their Sunday Morning and all the kids who manned the drinks stations. Seriously though Welford – cold wet sponges? Are you having a laugh!!

Hopefully next year’s weather will be better and the race can get back to being a highlight of the running calendar – good luck to the organisers for 2013!

Date of review: April 29, 2012

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

In short: it was alright I s'pose
In full: OK, I'm joking, it was absolutely brilliant. I totally agree with the reviewer who said that you are made to feel 'like' one of the family. Martin and Sue are wonderful and it was a great moment at the finish to have them both there welcoming us back. Definate PB potential (seriously, how many flat 45milers are there??) and the scenery is outstanding, honest!! I'll be living off the endorphins from this event for months, if not years.
Date of review: November 22, 2010

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

In short: Mud mud mud mud mud hills hills hills mud mud hills hills and bananas
In full: Brilliant. Well done Paul on another excellent flawless event. I hope you never retire!

The weather just adds to this event, and the atmosphere at the marathon transitions is really uplifting.

Excellent freebies at the end, but the real selling point of this event as I have already mentioned is the organisation. The logistics must be a nightmare. Its a point to point race, with real parking problems, involving three events in one day. But the organisers have overcome all these potential problems and everyone seems to go hope elated with no complaints at all.
Date of review: October 6, 2010

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Pure running decadence
In full: This race has absolutley everything. Stunning scenery (although admittedly this years race was a tad disappointing on that front!) excellent terain (testing at times but much of the course is good soft grass), brutal hills (up and down), heroic marshalls and checkpoint people ("What did you do with your weekend?" "I stood on top of a windy hill above cloud level for 8 hours and fed bananas to lunatics"), flawless organistion (not only do they have runners but also 'joggers' (anyone know the difference between a runner and a jogger?) and walkers) and to top it all quite literally 200 metres of tarmac!
Date of review: October 25, 2009

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

In short: It didn't rain! Woohoooo!
In full: Flawless organisation as ever and the great scenery was much more enjoyable this year because the conditions under foot were much more stable, No mud and some of the nasty ruts had been filled in. Really good atmosphere at the Farley Mount relay transition. I love this event - well done organisers.
Date of review: October 4, 2009

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

In short: \excellent
In full: Fantastic race.

Great velue to start and finish. Beutiful riverside scenery all the way along the course. The friendliest most supportive marshalls I've ever come across. The route went past a lovely village pub twice and it provided a great bit of atmosphere on the way out and back because everyone was stood out on the road cheering. And there was a band playing on the way back. Weather weas also perfect. Could this have been better? I think not! THANKS PURPLE PATCH and your marshalls - a really great event.
Date of review: March 22, 2009

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

In short: Excellent race.
In full: Flawless organisation, excellent course that was only improved by the inclement weather. This must be one of the best events in the country, surely.
Date of review: October 9, 2008

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

In short: I think I must have just been having a bad day
In full: Everyone else seemed to enjoy this race but I didn't, so I can only assume I just got out of bed the wrong side.

Facilities at the leisure centre were inadequate. No bag storage and the place was crowded because it was wet and everyone wanted to be inside.

Course was a bit dull but its quick and the atmosphere is good for beginners.

Then the end - in a muddy field next to a swollen river. Kids fun run was cancelled because of this.

The refreshments after the race were excellent though - water, juice, cake, bananas.
Date of review: March 20, 2008

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

In short: Excellent route
In full: The route was the best thing about this race. Really nice scenery. OK there were some hills but they just add to the feeling of achievement at the end.

Quite a small field and I am torn between telling everyone what a good race it was and keeping it a secret because I think the small field just added to the charm. What the hell - I would recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting mildling challenging 1/2M course next year.

Only small gripe was the puctuality - the start and the prize giving were a little later than scheduled, but them maybe I'm just bitter because I didn't get a prize!
Date of review: November 4, 2007

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

In short: great course
In full: This is a great course through forest trails and farmland that reminded me why running is such a good pastime. There are one or two hills though so its no PB course, but that doesn't matter at all when the course is as good as it was.

Considering this was the 1st Hursley 10k it was also very well organised - I would definately consider it again next year.
Date of review: September 23, 2007

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