My Event Ratings

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

In short: A good city event, though better crowd control is needed now it's so big.
In full: I do this one as its my home city and we enter a team from work in the business challenge. It's great in the lead up to the event. Lots of banter at work and raising money for charity. However, it's not one I ever actually enjoy running anymore. The start is now a huge bun fight as unaware slower runners become awkward obstacles to avoid in the narrow channels. I har a teenager wearing surf shorts and converse come to a complete stop after 200 metres, I'd started in the sub 40 section and I really can't imagine what he thought he was doing there. I don't know if the marshals can ever find a way to sort out that sort of nonsense
. On the plus side, it was great to meet up with colleagues for cake and a drink after. Just as well we did as goody bag was just paper. Having paid £25 entry a banana or flapjack would be nice.
Date of review: May 5, 2013

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

In short: This is my favourite race of the year
In full: The atmosphere and organisation at this event is outstanding. Marshalls and organisers have proven they can cope with any weather condition over the last few years. The run itself is through some intersting countryside, and of course, there is the beast of the hill. Peppershell lane is hard enough but the sharp righ onto Slate lane is the heartbreaker. But there's something about this race that brings out the best in runners and the camaraderie is great. See you next year.
Date of review: May 5, 2013

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

In short: A good morning out.
In full: Good course. A moderate hill early on that did a good job of spreading out the pack. Then a good loop back, with a late detour around a reasonably pleasant estate. Organisation was mostly very good. Well organised admin procedures at the football club and friendly marshalling all the way around. Only blot was a very slow moving land rover discovery on the finishing straight just as I was trying to sprint for the finish. How did that happen? I was able to console the loss of a few seconds off my time with a tasty cake in the clubhouse.
Date of review: March 3, 2013

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

In short: Chance to check your form early on in the season
In full: Brrrr- cold day. But we were well looked after in the heated gazebo per race. You're not going to do this for scenery, though the drive to the event is very pleasant. But it's a god chance to check your form. No crowds to fight your way through or hills to contend with. Very well organised event.
Date of review: February 24, 2013

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

In short: Good fast flat course, size of event seems to be causing organisation issues
In full: This is on my doorstep so I will keep coming back. However, the growth of the event to 11,000+ seems to be straining the organisation capabilities. I was in a business challenge team and one of the team members didn't receive his race pack so had to visit the race info tent the day before the event. On collecting his number he was told there were only two people registered fot the team, not the five who signed up! We now have an anxious wait to se if our team will actually be counted.
The course itself is flat and fast so good if you're after a PB. Though there was a bit of bottle necking near the start and a bit of jostling past slower runners who had put themselves too far forward.
Something weird seemed to happen at baggage tent. One massive queue but then about a dozen others completely empty. Whatever was planned there didn't work out.
Best t shirt this year. I'll definitely wear this in the gym. Nice touch have a t shirt swap stall for those who had picked up the wrong size.
Date of review: May 20, 2012

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

In short: Rain rather than the hill was the challenge this year.
In full: Peppershell lane is the sort of hill that sticks in your memory year to year. However, biggest challenge today was facing the weather. Told myself if there was no parking because of the waterlogged field I'd go home. But the marshals were so well organised they found me a great space next to the clubhouse so no excuses. I think I counted 4 water stops, a wise precaution during these days of drought. A really good race once again. I'll be back again next year whatever the conditions because I know roger Stephenson and his gang can put on a great event.
Date of review: April 29, 2012

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

In short: Well managed larger crowd event
In full: Not bad. this is my local event that I've now run 10 times. this was one of the better ones, good wave start, plenty of water and lucozade - nasty tasting as it is. I personally didn't find the new route any faster. Quite the opposite in fact, this was my slowest time for about 5 years, thoufgh that's probably as much to do with my training as anything else. The longer loop before he finish at the end was quite tough on the morale, being used to a the shorter old route. I'll still do this again next year, but more becsue it's my local than the quality of event.
Date of review: September 25, 2011

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

In short: Well organised and big day feel, but with price to match.
In full: As I live in Bristol, I think I do this just to keep happy all the people who know I run. I prefer the smaller races and a more varied terrain. That said, it's great to see friends taking up the challenge and friendly faces in the crowd. The organisation is very good - you get what you pay for , and a good T-shirt too.
Date of review: May 15, 2011

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

In short: Good Hilly Fun
In full: Definitely a challenging course. but alot of fun too and well worth it. Hadn't really thought about how well organised it was until filling in this review. Just realised that the queues for toilets were probably shortest ever experienced at a run. Also, no problems getting to or from venue and lots of extra water stations. The chip timing keypad at the end was a great touch and gave something to do whist enjoying a pint of Marston's. Well done Pensford.
Date of review: May 1, 2011

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

In short: Good Hot and Hilly challenge
In full: Really enjoyed this very popular event. A large crowd that was very well managed with slick organisation. Nice little route through Snuff Mills where the sceneray was very pleasant, then it it turned a bit blurry as i battled up the hills. Would have a liked a water station at the half way stage but suppose it was hotter than expected. Will go a bit easier on the wine the night before next time.
Date of review: April 17, 2011

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