My Event Ratings

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

In short: The best value half I've done!
In full: This was my first time doing Bracknell after running Henley and Wokingham. It felt a bit odd running through a few housing estates!
Some places get marginally more rural but Bracknell is commuter territory so don't expect spectacular scenery.
The event was very well run. Start-finish chip timing (take note Wokingham!). The start wasn't too crowded and there were not notable bottle necks.
There were more than enough water stations with sponges as well (and very enthusiastic junior helpers!). And the goody bag was great- you get a free t shirt as well as usual medal, drink, jelly babies etc.
As for the actual course, I was expecting it to be flatter than it was. There are small down/up hills as you pass under the main roads but a fairly long incline at about 7 miles, although nothing too taxing.
The last 500m was a bit slippy by the time we got there so was a bit cautious about sprinting home.
I think you could get a decent pb on this course although not for me today :-(
Good crowd, very friendly, would recommend it.
Date of review: April 27, 2008

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

In short: Well organized but real chip timing would've been better
In full: I thought this was very well organized with good facilities. The course itself was good, I beat my PB by 6 minutes on the course. Only real hills are over the motorways so nothing too strenerous. Roads all closed off so no real bottle necks.
I will definately be back next year.
Only complaint- why bother with chip timing when a) timing starts on gun time not as you pass start and b) they scan each chip by hand so not accurate at all.
Depressingly my time as published was 4 minutes slower than my actual time!
Date of review: February 14, 2008

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

In short: Comfortable first ever race!
In full: This was my first race let alone half marathon!
The scenery is lovely. Pretty much all flat excep THE HILL. Said hill started off quite gently, was just thinking 'oh this is ok' then I hit the steep bit! The downhill really is as bad as up hill though, especially for getting stitch. Still, only gained a few mins despite a few little walks on hill.
Had a nice friendly atmosphere throughout race. Big mix of runners. Managed 2hrs 14 which isn't bad for my first time I think.
Only criticisms- parking, it took us45mins to get out!, also I think they needed a water station straight after hill, rather than a while after.
The hill is do-able. Wasn't as bad as I expected. I'd only trained to 10miles and felt ok.
I'll certainly be back next year!
Date of review: October 9, 2006

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