My Event Ratings

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

In short: Would be brutal if it had been sunny
In full: Pre race info was good, as was registration on the day. The lap counting worked well and there was plenty of water and other goodies at the water stop. Good location just off of the A2 and no traffic on course is always a bonus. Would have been brutal if the weather had have been sunny as there is no shade on track whatsoever. Medal was big, maybe too big and a t-shirt would have also been nice. All in all a well organised event, see you next year
Date of review: June 2, 2013

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

In short: Truly the best event/Marathon going
In full: What more could you ask for from £26?? Superb pre event communication, the race day ran like clockwork, plenty of toilets, parking and changing room, excellent atmosphere, with debutants and seasoned pros, everyone is catered for. The course is testing, however that said there is a PB in it, I think. Excellent goody bag, finishers t-shirt and medal. Well done HRR, so proud to be a part of the club
Date of review: May 12, 2013

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

In short: Lovely Course, shame about the medal and no goody bag (as advertised)
In full: Entry and pre race info was good, I couldn't find my race number on their website prior to the event and had to ask for assistance. On the day the start and car park were well marked with plenty of parking and only a short walk to race HQ. Facilities at race HQ were good, plenty of toilets. The course itself was well marshalled with clear mile markers and ample water stations, with my own drinks out on them, which is always a nice touch when water is handed to you in cups. The course is 2 laps, the first lap the hills to Beccles really didn't feel all that bad, however the second lap felt like I was climbing Everest!! However the cheery marshalls at the water stops helped me round. The finish area was good, clear of spectators with chip timing. My biggest gripe about the day was the poor quality medal!!! Come on Bungay Black Dog, surely you can do better?? I'd be happy to pay a few pounds more for a medal which at least has the year on it. Very disappointing, also no goody bag as advertised. All in all a nice course well organised, friendly people, rubbish cheap medal
Date of review: April 19, 2013

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

In short: Fantastic Challenge Marathon
In full: My 4th Marathon and 1st Halstead. Good location for the start with plenty of toilets and space. There could have been some kind of band/music or entertainment around the start finish area at the start and the finish. The course is very scenic visiting some glorious Essex villages. This was well marshalled throughout, the drinks on course worked well, although, please please please please can we have water in bottles rather than half filled plastic cups which are impossible to drink from. Excellent medal, well done HRR very proud to be a part of the club
Date of review: May 14, 2012

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Mud, mud and more mud!!!
In full: I did this event last year and really enjoyed it. This year had a change to the course and cap park which was good. The additional haybails etc were good and the final 500m was much better for spectators. I didn't think it was as muddy as it was last year, however it's still taken me over an hour to clean all my stuff. The t-shirt is very good in colour and design. Please can we have a medal as well as a t-shirt next year and an actual goodbag to keep your clean t-shirt in?? Well done on a truely unique event
Date of review: November 20, 2011

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

In short: Loved every minute of it
In full: My first ever marathon and I'm so glad it was London. Amazing atmosphere, support, course, organisation, goody bag medal. Can't praise it enough just a shame about the one size fits all cheapy t-shirt in the goody bag. Still you can't have it all. If you get the chance do this at least once.
Date of review: April 19, 2011

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: Very wet and muddy
In full: This isn't a typical race and if you enter thinking so, you'll be disapointed. This is awesome fun, very wet and muddy, If you imagine the worst possible scenario then times it by 10, you'll be near. Waist high muddy swaps to run through, 45 degree inclines and declines. Loved every minute of it, a medal would have been nice though as well as a t-shirt
Date of review: November 21, 2010

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

In short: Poor organisation!!
In full: When I arrived at the finish to park my car I was advised that there was no car parking available. Maybe I was just early. The start isn't at the same place as the finish which is fine and the mile and a half walk was a good warm up and leg stretch. The start was cramped as usual, and I couldn't hear a word of what the organisers were announcing. The slower runners insisting on starting at the front, making the 800m dash down the high street interesting in trying to avoid them. The course is good and the mile markers were clearly marked. The medal was cheap and not worth the entrance fee. I finished and was given a bottle of water; however by the time a lot of the runners had finished the bottled water had all gone. The finish could be improved. I witnessed a car drive through the finishing straight which completely blocked off a runner. Not great and is clearly not organised by a running club. This must be improved next year.
Date of review: April 14, 2009

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

In short: An improvement on last years
In full: Good organisation with a fair mix of runners. Decent medal too
Date of review: August 1, 2008

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

In short: Awful conditions, excellent marshalling.
In full: A well organised event, just a shame we didn’t start on time. Competitors who were late should have allowed themselves more time to get there especially with such a large field of runners, which was well publicised. Excellent, encouraging marshalling really helped, especially on the second lap, which I found a particular struggle. Plenty of water stations and clearly marked mile markers. A decent goody bag and medal. I’ll have to come back next year, just to beat my disappointing time.

Date of review: December 3, 2007

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