My Event Ratings

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

In short: Fun even in the pouring rain
In full: This was my first Christmas Caper and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. there was a great atmosphere with lots of people making a real effort with their costumes. I did find that my fellow runners were not always the most considerate of people and a few of my friends commented that people would sprint past them just to grind to a halt almost in front of them which really screwed up their pace. I myself was rather miffed on coming to the final few hundred metres that the very narrow path was occupied by people with race numbers walking slowly that forced me onto the wet muddy grass verge where I did slip on my ankle a few times. Please people I know we all run for ourselves but try not to make it difficult for others! The organisation and route was excellent, although I didn't find the marshalls as encouraging as other races I have done but my friends actually said they found them really encouraging, one even commenting that they were their best marshalls ever. More power to them though for standing in the rain and the cold so a big thank you guys!
Date of review: December 10, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Well worth the drive across London
In full: This was my second 10k this year. Lovely course, a lot of marshalls to ensure you didn't come off track. Marshalls were lovely, a few miserable faces but on the whole as you came up to them and waved they gave you lovely words of encouragement. Some interesting parts of the track especially over a very narrow little bridge, my husband had to stop as a woman and her small daughter were on the bridge and weren't coming off until they were ready which I though was a bit mean, I found all the other park users to be very supportive and I chatted and waved at anyone who came across my path! The goodie bags were so so, rather poor quality T shirt that didn't seem to commemorate the race itself, the medals didn't have ribbon, even the organisers were apologising for the quality of the goods but for £10 my argument is what more do people expect. I got an apple, T shirt, keyring, pen and a leaflet in my bag. Excellent water supplies so full marks for that. I took a bottle on my first lap just in case they ran out and I ran with it for another two laps unopened and at the finish there was still plenty left to refresh runners. A shame finishers were diverted away from the finish line to the pavilion as it would have been nice for runners to come to the end of the run and be cheered on by more people. Fortunately my friends and I kind of travel in an entourage and we stayed to cheer the last person home as that person has probably put more effort into doing it that the people at the front! The organisers were delightful although I would have appreciated something sent to me in the post but email contact was very forthcoming when I contacted them. My Garmin read just over 9.5km but then again it's not about the distance it's the feeling of elation at the end and knowing you've done something pretty amazing and shared it with lots of other amazing people. One of my friends did drop out on the first lap as they felt the support was not forthcoming from the marshalls but I am sure we'll all be signing up for the January event! Roll on January and thank you for organising this race.
Date of review: October 29, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Lovely scenery but hard uphills!
In full: I was surprised at the relatively poor turnout as I was expecting to be jostling with about 999 other runners! The small numbers were great though as you could make your own pace around the park. I've only really been running since February and I've completed a few 5km over the past three years and done a 10km at Bluewater last month. I'm not a natural runner but I was pleased that out of a large group of people that I went with it appears I was the only one to actually run the entire distance and I carried on running when other more serious looking runners had started walking or stopped all together. I came 94th out of about 130 people so I was well chuffed with that. Some of my friends said that they found some of the other park users a hinderance ambling in their paths and not making room for them but all in all we all enjoyed the event. As it was only it's first year you can't expect an exceptionally well polished event. The motor for the pump for the start and finish inflatable gate ran out of petrol before two of my friends finished the event so we all ran forward to hold it up for them to pass through! I will certainly do it again next year and we're all planning on maybe running around Greenwich Park once a month in our running schedules. The marshalls were wonderful, not a miserable face amongst them and that is rare! They were all smiling and calling out words of encouragement so thank you to them.
Date of review: September 10, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator