My Event Ratings

Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Thank the Lord the Indian Summer ended when it did
In full: Having run the half since its foundation, I decided for the longer option this year and wasn't disappointed. The course was tough and I certainly can't remember the supposed miles of downhill which showed up on a friend's Garmin!! But the organisation and marshalls were brilliant, the support great even out in the sticks and the medal and goody bag certainly value for money. Oh, and picking up an unexpected team prize was pretty good as well.
Date of review: October 10, 2011

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Hardest six hours of my life!!
In full: What can you say to sum up a 32-mile race with more than 2000ft of climbing and virtually no flat - tough doesn't really cut the mustard!!

This race is stupidly hard, it does funny things to your brain and despite having run several marathons, I experienced levels of pain I never knew existed.

But this race is special. Special scenery, special support, special organisation and a special camaraderie among those taking part - most of all because you know you're all going through the same.

A truly magical day out in glorious sunshine in one of the country's most stunning national parks - what's not to like?!
Date of review: June 5, 2011

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Nuff said
In full: The overriding sentiments seem to be negative but I ran a PB so it can't be all bad surely. I'll remember the stunning scenery, great camaraderie among the runners and great support, especially in the last few miles when it was really needed as the force 9 headwind really took its toll.
Those will help me quickly forget the shambolic finish area and what felt like a marathon in itself to get to the buses/train - what the hell was that all about organisers?!
I probably wouldn't go back but, like I said, with a PB under the belt it can't have been all bad.
Onwards and upwards
Date of review: May 24, 2011

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

In short: That's the way a-ha a-ha....
In full: If only I hadn't run a marathon the week before, a PB would have been mine I tell thee.
Well organised, great course (flat but not too flat if that makes any sense), and good support out on the route.
Date of review: October 27, 2010

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

In short: Where did all the new hills come from?
In full: I'm convinced there must have been some unreported geological shifts in Cornwall over the past year because the half marathon course was even tougher than I remembered - and I remembered it being hard! Even the small rises after mile 10 seemed to drain any left over energy from the legs and there was only one five-metre uphill in the last mile and a half and that felt tough (maybe I was just having a bad day eh!).
Still, at least it was nice to see some of the scenery this year even if it did mean you could see all the hills well before you got to them.
Organisation-wise, this was a 100 percent improvement on last year (where I and several others had to unpack our own bags after finishing) and the new finish in the centre of the Project itself created a much better atmosphere just when it was needed.
Top marks Eden, see you next year
Date of review: October 12, 2010

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

In short: Fantastic event - can't say more than that really!
In full: I've run a few big city marathons and with them, you always get the people who have just come to watch rather than actively support - but you could not say that about Jersey. Everyone from the marshals to the helpers en route, to tiny children by the roadside and even people out for a Sunday stroll along the seafront was encouraging every single runner - it was a novelty that really made the race.
It made the miles fly by and gave me such a buzz as I was ploughing through the rain.
It was wet for the first half of the race, but it actually kept things nice and cool rather than being a hindrance. And with the second half of the race somewhat easier than the first, it is made for a negative split, which is always good for the mind.
The three and a half miles along a glorious seaside cyclepath from mile 22.5 onwards did drag somewhat, but you can say that about the end of any marathon, and having stunning scenery as a backdrop did make them go slightly quicker.
A great atmosphere in the centre of St Helier for the finish completed a fantastic day, with a great medal, T-shirt and goody bag to boot.
All in all, a brilliant event and I'll sing its praises to anyone who asks.
Date of review: October 4, 2010

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

In short: Just hoping for better weather in '11
In full: My second Great North and if I'm being brutally honest, the atmosphere wasn't quite there from 2009 but that was probably down to the weather more than anything.
Good camaraderie between the runners though and the crowds who turned out certainly seemed to enjoy their day as much as the runners.
I'll be back to go for a PB again next year...
Date of review: September 22, 2010

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

In short: Best book the weather next year...
In full: Two years ago I ran in fancy dress and six miles in I wished I had done again, as it was wet, cold and there was no real shelter along the Portway. Not what I would call would of the friendliest races if you're going on runner interaction - guess that could be because the course is quick and everyone else was going for a PB - but the crowds were good despite the rain.
Got to say though, although the medal is pretty weighty, for the entry price the goodie bag is RUBBISH!!!
Date of review: September 7, 2010

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

Date of review: August 4, 2010

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Such an amazing event, a great party after and a great cause!!
In full: I love it, I love it, I love it!! Such a tough challenge to run for three hours up some seriously steep hills, but the glorious scenery and atmosphere among the competitors more than makes up for it. I didn't win, so unfortunately didn't walk away with my weight in beer, but I'll have to pile on a few pounds before next year now I know the terrain and some of the routes. Only problem was with my map reading, although I'll plead not guilty to it being my fault since the sweat pouring from me was responsible for rubbing out some vital details on the cardboard map!!! Never mind though, I'll be back...
Date of review: July 1, 2010

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