My Event Ratings

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

In short: Best value race I have ever done
In full: Suberbly organised event, challenging route but felt fantastic to finish the 40. The marshalls were friendly and encouraging, and there were really well stocked checkpoints at regular intervals. Value for money is unbelievable, with all the snacks along the way then a hot meal at the finish. Sincere thanks to all the organisers for putting on such a great race
Date of review: April 8, 2012

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

In short: Please sort out baggage area and start area.....
In full: Pre-race organisation was a mess. Please send out bag tags with race numbers, and have a wider area for receiving the bags. Also the start was too narrow and people were called to the start too late, meaning too many slower runners at the front.

Apart from that, the race itself was enjoyable and was well marshalled. Cup of tea at the end was gratefully received. With simple improvements that everyone is suggesting, the overall experience would be much improved.
Date of review: February 21, 2010

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

In short: Beautiful scenery, friendly and tough...
In full: My favourite race of the year so far. Nice relaxed feel at the start, probably becasue it was too hot for anyone to bother warming up. Scenery was fantastic on the way round with hardly any traffic. Well supported in places, the hills meant I could forget about chasing a PB and just relax and enjoy the run. I will definitely be back again in the future.
Date of review: July 5, 2009

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

In short: Worth it for the massive PB......
In full: Really enjoyed the race itself, found it easy to get into a rhythm and keep to an even paced race. Enough support on the way round, and saw my family 4 times which was a great bonus.

Luckily I did get there early and missed the travel, but very annoying to be delayed on the start line. Large delay leaving the car parks was also a downer, surely this could be much better organised.

Only other gripe was poor quality catering, which left my 2 kids hungry as food was inedible....
Date of review: March 16, 2009

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

In short: Well organised event, thanks to Abingdon Amblers
In full: Good friendly atmosphere to take part in, more support than expected on the way round but still some long sections with no-one around.

Found the 2 lap course mentally challenging, also too much up and down on pavements which was a nightmare with fatigued legs later on.

Facilities at start/finish were good for runners, not so good for spectators - needed to be more laid on for refreshments.

Overall though very well organised and thanks to the many volunteers who gave up their time for this to take place. I will have to return in the future to make up for blowing up at 22 miles this time though.....
Date of review: October 20, 2008

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

In short: What goes up must go down....
In full: Right to be described as tough and undulating on entry form, but quick time still possible. Marshalling was excellent throughout, overall a well-organised event through some lovely countryside
Date of review: September 14, 2008

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

In short: Pretty flat, good PB potential despite many twists and turns......
In full: Worth chasing a PB on, as it is a flat course, although lots of twists and turns through underpaths etc. Overall organisation and atmosphere was pretty good, although start area and first mile are too congested for size of field.

Quite expensive to enter (£25 on the day), but did not mind knowing it was for a good cause.
Date of review: July 22, 2008

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

In short: Very friendly feel to event, but challenging........
In full: Great event, with a challenging course but fantastic scenery to distract you on the way round. Very well organised event, and nice touch with the PA announcer calling out your name and club at the finish.

Will definitely want to do this event again in the future.
Date of review: June 23, 2008

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

In short: Great first time marathon experience, and family watching loved it
In full: For my first marathon I thought it was an excellent choice. My wife and family watching had a great time too, able to see me at the 1 mile marker then catch a bus to the finish where they could see runners going past on the way out still. We all met up easily afterwards, baggage reclaim was swift and although the queues for the buses were long, they did move quickly.

Overall only small improvements were needed:
- lose the gravel section, that was a shocker;
- more space at the start, keep non-runners out. I was panicking thinking I might not make it to the starting pen in time;
- expo was a waste of time and money to get there and back.

However I thought the atmosphere and support around the course was great and helped to keep me going. I thought it was an excellent choice for a first time marathon, and Edinburgh is a lovely city to spend a long weekend in.

Reading the other comments, I am glad to see I was not the only one who made it 26.4 miles on my Garmin though.......
Date of review: May 28, 2008

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

In short: Friendly, scenic and well-organised
In full: Beautiful scenery on a crisp, snowy morning. Well done to the organisers posting updates on their website in the morning, confirming that the race was definitely on.

Marshalling was excellent throughout, offering lots of encouragement. Overall a great morning, thanks to everyone who helped organise this
Date of review: April 6, 2008

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