My Event Ratings

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

In short: One of the best races every year
In full: I have run this one every year since 2007, and if it carries on like this I fully intend to be back every year. The support all the way round the course from the people of Peterborough puts most other races to shame. Please don't change anything.
Date of review: October 10, 2011

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

In short: Definitel PB potential
In full: Very good organisation from arriving in the car park to the finish – it made the half-marathon at the same venue look like a shambles.

OK, the track itself isn’t all that exciting, but does it really matter when you’ve got a flat, fast traffic free course?

Quite rightly this race attracts a very big field of all abilities, and has definite PB potential – you just seem to be swept along.

As for the water bottle, I thought it was a really nice touch. In previous years there has been no memento at all, so to provide that plus chip timing all for a tenner (on the day) seems like really good value for money to me. Plus, the water bottle is much more use to me than the usual extra-large t-shirt that ends up at the charity shop, or a medal which ends up in a box in the garage.

Date of review: May 6, 2011

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

In short: There is very little Bedford Harriers could do to make this any better
In full: Excellent race, definitely one of the best organised that I've ever done (although having done this and other Bedford Harriers events before I wouldn't expect anything else).

A special thank you to whoever had the idea of giving out fresh pineapple at the finish - it was brilliant. Every race should have it.

Top quality hoodie once again, I saw many being worn with pride as I made my way home.

Thanks again Bedford Harriers, and best of luck to all you marathon runners.
Date of review: March 28, 2011

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

In short: A new - demanding - course
In full: The new one lap course, whilst challenging is a huge improvement over the previous three-lap arrangement.
Date of review: July 26, 2010

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

In short: Marshalling masterclass
In full: Superb marshalling all the way around the course – even those charged with the difficult task of controlling the traffic on the narrow bridges offered words of encouragement to the runners.

The hoody was a very welcome extra, and judging by the number being worn immediately post-race, very widely popular.

Admittedly the last half mile was challenging, but again it was superbly marshalled, and made the best use of the space available to the organisers – there was not any other obvious area to site the finish, or to gain access to it. Plus, there was water, isotonic drink, fresh fruit and jelly babies at the end – what more could you ask for?

Pre race toilet facilities and parking are often going to be an issue, but these cannot be considered faults with this event.

Bedford Harriers and all of their volunteers should be thoroughly proud of their achievement.

Date of review: March 30, 2010

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

In short: Same opinion as everyone else
In full: I haven't really got anything to add to what has already been said (and said far more eloquently than I could manage). It could have been a reasonable race, but was let down by a lack of organisation and a very steep price.

Well done to Wetherspoons though, for stepping in and providing free goody bags to runners, containing a bottle of water, an energy drink and a muffin. Organisers please take note.


Date of review: March 8, 2010

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

In short: Very well organised, very well marshalled and very long
In full: Not a lot that I can add to the comments already made, except to point out that there's not a lot that the organisers can do if someone decides to pinch their kilometre markers.
Quite gruelling (it's a long way, after all) but an amazing course, and great marshalling. Don't know if I'd choose to do it if I wasn't marathon training, but for those of us who are it's superb. The only bit I didn't like was finishing on the field - it was a bit disorientating after running on concrete for so long.
Date of review: February 11, 2008

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

In short: Fast, flat and fantastic
In full: Despite initial misgivings in the competitor’s corral before the start (whilst ignoring the synchronised warm up routine), this turned out to be a fantastic race. OK, the scenery wasn’t much to write home about, but this was a race, not a sightseeing tour. For a runner, this is pretty much as good as it gets – fast, flat, closed roads, great support from locals and other runners alike, an uplifting finish and then one of the best goody bags I’ve ever had.

Congratulations to everyone involved is the flawless organisation, thank you to all the people of Peterborough for your support and for putting up with road closures for most of the day and another thank you to all of the competitors who pulled a very tired runner through to a PB.

I will definitely be back next year, and I will be recommending this race to anyone who will listen.

Date of review: October 15, 2007

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

In short: Flat, fast - and hot
In full: The day started out with almost ideal conditions, and then the sun cam out and didn't seem to go back in again. Fortunately, the water stations were frequent and well-staffed. Whilst plastic cups are admittedly much harder to drink out of than bottles I reckon that they are preferable in a race such as this as there is much less chance of losing your footing on a discarded cup.

The race doesn't offer much in the way of scenery (unless you particularly like very flat fields), but this was more than made up for by the enthusiasm of the marshalls and the spectators.

The heat and relentless flatness did make the race itself something of an ordeal. But one that I'd subject myself to again.
Date of review: September 10, 2007

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

In short: Well marshalled, but (like the course) with its ups and downs
In full: A very well marshalled and organised race, but the start let it down - trying to fit everyone onto a very narrow strip of pavement seemed to be a recipe for disaster. I recall that the start was different last year, and much more effective.

However, once into the very attractive countryside, such worries were left behind - and replaced with new ones. Was any part of the course flat?

Thank you to all the marshalls and spectators who provided much-needed support to a very hot runner.
Date of review: May 21, 2007

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