My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great Location - Not ideal for first timers
In full: I can sympathise with some of the comments that have been made regarding this event.
But on the whole, I tend to focus on this as a x-country marathon, and as such make sure I carry all the provisions I think I will need (including gels, water etc) - have to admit I have ran this 3 times now (yes the goodie bags are reducing - but for me, its doing the course that counts). Marathons are about the the effort of the competitor and the training done ahead of the day - most of us would have run 20 miles plus (with-out support of drinks stations etc) - so why gamble with the drink station strategy of the organisers?) I even make sure I carry my stuff for the bigger events - by the time I get to some of the latter stages, drinks / gels have gone as well.
The Start / Finish / Car-parking will always be problematic and I suspect that with the cold temps and the rain, that waiting for the lift felt like it was too long (Fatfeet should have some thermal blankets for that - all the other years they would not have needed them, but this year it has bit them on the ass! - that is the only real criticism I would add.)
What I would say is that the CADETS were FANTASTIC all around the course - and I made sure that I mentioned that to their leading officers at the end of the race. They made me smile, they waved me on and I made sure I said THANK-YOU to all of them that I saw.
All in all, it was a tough day (cold, wet and slightly windy) - for most people, marathons are test of endurance and common sense. ALL KUDOS for those completing it, even better for the PB's!! - I was just happy to complete (just under 5 hrs) it, and will be looking to do it again next year.
Date of review: November 7, 2012

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

In short: Terrific Event
In full: 1st time competing at this distance, found the organisation and marshall's to be fantastic. Plenty of encouragement all the way round especially when the second lap of the run became a little isolated. Bike ride was a nice mix of fast roads and country lanes, swim looked good for everyone - plenty of water-borne guidance. Hopefully will do it agin next year.
Date of review: September 3, 2012

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

In short: The Rutland rumble
In full: 3rd marathon of the year and my 2nd time for this event - so I thought I knew what to expect...Excellent Marshalls & supporters throughout the course (Encouraging everyone that went past). BIG thanks to the Cadets on water stations / road crossings - very smooth and efficient. The run?...ah well, not as good as last year, those little hills on the double loop got the better of me and had to walk mid-race(!), gave me more time to enjoy the views! Will be back, with a little more hill-work (downs) under my belt.
Date of review: November 7, 2011

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

In short: Great organization - Great site - Great organizational support
In full: Ran the full marathon today - not my quickest (1st half was well protected from the wind, but the second half was breezy to say the least - took all my effort to keep running on the rowing course section).
Excellent support from well-wishers and the race team. Did not bring any water & did not need too- All stations well managed, stocked and efficient hand-overs. Have ran other "big races" in the Midlands, this was first class - will be back to do it again (hopefully with less wind eh?_
Date of review: September 11, 2011

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

In short: Enjoyable day
In full: 2nd time running this marathon and having learned my lessons from last year thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is a busy start, but I guess trying to get 3,000 runners round the course start will always be an issue.
The route is a mixture of road and track with a cheeky little hill that you do twice (tis worth doing a little hill work).
Loads of support at start and end.
Pockets of support dotted along the course (it is mainly rural) but it does hurt when you see them having the cream teas in the old railway carriages as you go by!!!!
Excellent finishing stage, finishing in the park, greeted by the Dignatories was great. Refreshment tent right next to the finish as well. Able to sit and watch fellow competitors complete was great. Entered early for this year and will enter early for next year as well!!
Great Marshalling, finishing area and route.
Lessons I picked up:
* Bring your own gels / supplements (only water provided) best to work on your cup strategy.
* Be prepared for that last 6 miles on the "greenway" it's long, straight and if hot and sunny - very dusty. (I used sunglasses even though sun is on your back - the path starts to "glare" after a while).


Date of review: May 9, 2011

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

In short: Top route: Great views & enough to make you work!
In full: *Excellent parking / cafe facilities.
*Great route
*Great Marshalls and Organisers
*Friendly at the back...
*Doing it again, but will train with more hill work - lots of little climbs with a big "un" of undulating at around the 21mile mark.
Date of review: November 8, 2010

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

In short: Some Bad...Loads Good
In full: PB potential is there: Big field combined with some relatively narrow sections made it difficult to get a "jog on" for most of the mid table runners. Usual issues with "dawdlers" in parts of the roads(but that happens at most places...). Not enough toilets close to start, and I was OK with finish (but had to stop sharpish!!), guessed it would be bad for those behind.
Clearer signs for both water stations and MILE MARKERS would help!!

Great atmosphere on the route - obvious vocal local support and great Marshalls along whole route. Broad Street is a good start - perhaps move it further up the road to allow for the end funnel?
Will do it again - having learnt my own personal lessons from this run (As I do with all the other races I enter!!)

Not too bad Brum - not far to go to make this a TOP event.
Date of review: October 24, 2010

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

In short: Marathon comments....
In full: Good: Marshalls, Drink squads (all types of groups), Route signs, Traffic control on the Greenway junctions, Atmosphere at the start, toilet provision all round route, course end FANTASTIC (Stratford Park)

Not so good: I had read the comments from previous race years about lack of sports drinks etc (so I went prepared - Own bottle, own sweets and own gels - not a picnic but not far off!), shame to say it appeared not too have improved either. Also, as a first time marathoner, I must admit to being a little shocked at the end (Nice medal) but 1 banana, 1 bottle of water...mmm.

Might do it again - but would hope that organisers take a little note from the feedback.
Date of review: April 26, 2010

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

In short: Shorter run for the top 3!!!!!!! (why not me!) In the bottom 2,000
In full: Fantastic day, good organization, and a very good route; view down the Kenilworth road was inspiring & depressing(was I that far behind!). Great spectators & great weather showed that this was not a "Ghost Town" run and was very "Special" (No not Jose!).Will be back next year to try and run even faster up that last hill (out of the Memorial Park), what a lovely surpise for the 12 mile part!!! Well done Coventry.
Date of review: October 21, 2007

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

In short: Damp day didn't ruin mine!
In full: 1st time 1/2 marathon. Well organized with friendly / cheerful marshalls all round. I think the car-park guys did a great job and ensured that everyone was parked up securely and in a timely fashion for the race start. Nice course, with plenty of scenic views. Well done to all.
Date of review: May 13, 2007

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