My Event Ratings

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

In short: The "Great Run" organisers could learn a lot from Bristol. Great race!
In full: Having been ill all week, I nearly pulled out of the race but had so set my heart on trialling part of the HM course, I decided to make the effort as it was a nice day.

The start was amazing. I'm not the best runner but was privileged enough to be in the yellow pen and was surprised to see the entry points marshalled and those trying to sneak up from red and green turned back to their correct places. After several years at the Great South Run, I am specifically favouring Bristol HM over GSR purely because I'm tired of forever getting stuck behind walkers. Well done Bristol!

And what a lovely course. Very scenic and very fast. I managed to knock four minutes off my 5k PB but then began to feel unwell at around mile four. Most other races I'd've pulled out but the support in Bristol was excellent with cheering people almost shoulder to shoulder on the last mile.

Will definitely be back in September. Only minor point, like most was the lack of a second water station, although the sunny weather was unexpected so no real issue. And the final water station after the finish could've been a bit closer to the exit (although again on a cool, grey day, I'd probably not have noticed!)
Date of review: May 11, 2009

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

In short: Best 10k race I've run
In full: Second outing for me and despite the hill, I got a new PB over the distance so I am officially a huge fan of Devizes. Great marshalling. Wish I'd had some money to try the cakes. Nice to get a free bottle of water and a banana at the end. Results up nice and quickly too...far quicker than lots of races where they have hi-tech equipment and less runners.

Would be nice to see a big clock at the finish...although maybe I was so engrossed in my own time, I didn't spot it??

The only thing that spoiled it was the idiot in the red Clio trying to run over everyone running up Monument Hill.

See you next year :o)
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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

In short: Thank you so much to the nice man who helped me up when I fell over!
In full: Third running of this for me. Have improved every year despite the hills so persevere those of you who don't like them. I'm no runner but I got my PB on this course this year despite taking a tumble running down one of the hills.

Thank you so much to the nice man in red who helped me up!


Date of review: March 1, 2009

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

In short: Loved the medals this year!
In full: Second running of this for me (last time was my first ever 10k two years ago). Not sure about the changed route...was nice not to have to run up the big hill twice (pelting down it on the first loop is so much more fun!)

Didn't seem to be so many participants this year which is a shame, but I guess that's because it got rearranged.

Lovely medal and nice to have a goody bag this year too!

Highly recommended to everyone despite the hills
Date of review: March 1, 2009

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

In short: Great race, a course and 10k PB for me so I can't complain. Pretty smooth organisation as far as the running was concerned, but please, please, please, PUHLEEZE, SORT OUT THE PARKING!!!!
Date of review: October 27, 2008

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

In short: Great despite the heat. Typical Great Run atmosphere, but maybe a bit pricey?
In full: Well organised as all Great Runs seem to be. Fabulous weather although maybe a bit hot, grateful for the early start to avoid the heat!

First race back off the bench and I beat my previous PB by four seconds which made my day so a nice, easy course.

The organisers of a certain South West half that happened in March this year could learn a lot from the Great Run people about getting entrants through the finishing funnel so quickly!

Will be back next year for a new PB.
Date of review: August 6, 2008

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Can I get a refund?
In full: This was my first HM and I was thoroughly disillusioned that such a big race could be so poorly organised. It felt like it was the first time they'd ever done it not about the 25th or however many years it's been going for.

The delay at the start was a joke. First we were told it was due to a lack of medical cover then we were told it was to do with the park and ride. Whatever, the start time should be the start time. I pity all the poor people who had gotten up before dawn to make it to the start line in plenty of time and all the wonderful spectators who had to spend an additional hour in the freezing cold.

Like many others I had to stand for over 15 minutes in the freezing cold only to be told they had bags and no medals (I got one eventually). There was no organisation to the distribution of post run drinks and space blankets (didn't get either) and one of the distribution chiefs had the cheek to say it was the fault of the runners at the front of the queue for delaying the rest of us because they wanted to get the right size of tee-shirt....well who wouldn't?

That said, I beat the target I'd set myself by 7 minutes and my PB time over 10k too. Maybe fuelled by all that pent up adrenaline :o)

For that price though, I wouldn't do it again. Trouble is there are plenty who will as it's always over subscribed. Lets hope the organisers learn a thing or two for next year!
Date of review: March 16, 2008

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

In short: Mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun
In full: Well here was me hoping for my PB near my old house on a lovely flat course. I had my family and my best mate strategically stationed to give me loads of support as I was running for charity and then the weather decided to put a spanner in the works!

Lovely flat course, well signed and liked the half way clock (where I was on target for a PB time!) but then the dehydration got to me. Even though it was a bit short notice, could the organisers not have found it in their hearts to set up a second water station on the return leg from the industrial estate? I nearly nipped into the garage to plead with the staff to let me have some water and I'd come back with the money later.

The marshals on Salisbury Road return leg were fabulous and thank you so much to the man who ran with me for a little way and talked me into not giving up. They deserved the fab glass momentoes as much as we did for making it such a safe and enjoyable day.

All in all, a great race and I'll do it again. Just next year, can someone please organise a little breeze :o)
Date of review: April 16, 2007

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

In short: Great friendly race, and well organised too
In full: My first time running at Eastleigh which is my home town of old so it was great to run round a familiar location. Nice, flat and PB country for most people apart from me cos I was poorly yesterday but still ran because I felt bad I had a place when so many missed out.

Lovely to see so many wellwishers out cheering not just their friends and relations but everyone who ran. Also, big up to the little marshall stood on the corner of Chestnut Avenue/Passfield Avenue high-fiving people. It gave me the impetus I needed to get me to the finish line :o)

The finish, however, is a little anti-climatic. Was disappointed to be able to get my t-shirt before the start. I like getting a prize at the end to prove I've taken part, but that's just me.

Also, where's the water at the end? This is the only race I've been to and not found water at the end. For such an established race, I can't believe there was no final refreshment. Even the new Devizes 10k last month which cost less had bottled water and free bananas at the end.

All in all, I'll be back next year, mostly because it's great running somewhere familiar, but also, it was well organised at the start, which most aren't!
Date of review: March 26, 2007

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

In short: Slick, and I don't just mean the muddy bits :o)
In full: For a first time event, the organisation was great (although some of the marshals were a bit unclear about where the start was going to be). Everyone was really friendly and welcoming and there were lovely little touches such as the bananas at the end.

Big up to the poor marshals who must have been soaked and chilled to the bone, yet still cheered every last racer that passed them. We all thank you for your dedication and the motivation you gave us.

The route was great and even the rotten weather couldn't dampen the great atmosphere.

I ran the Winchester 10k last weekend which is run by a "professional" company. These guys could learn a lot from SuperFlyGuy and the Devizes crew.

Thanks so much for a fab race. Looking forward to next year already :o)
Date of review: March 4, 2007

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