My Event Ratings

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

In short: Tough course and even harder in the wind
In full: Really nice but tough course starting off running on footpaths through the woods. Amble down towards the waterfront and then a very flat section for 10 miles before the tough climb back to the finish again mostly on footpaths. This year the wind down the waterfront was somewhat challenging making the second half of the run very tough overall. Also a bit lonely on the second half with so few runners. There also could have been a water point around the half way mark especially with that wind as having a gap from 11.5 to 16 miles was just a bit much.
Date of review: July 30, 2012

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

In short: Well organised, great course
In full: organisation was very good, course was well marshalled and excellent number of drinks stations. Although some comments refer to a hill it was more like a little bump and they seemed to come up at just the right stage each time to fractionally change your running style which helps with the overall muscle usage. Would I do it again - definitely if I am in the area.
Date of review: May 14, 2012

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

In short: Brilliant organisation, tough course but very rewarding
In full: My first trail ultra - after 32 previous road ultras of varying distances this has to rate as the toughest 50k I've every done but would I do it again? - you're damn right I would.
Date of review: October 10, 2011

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

In short: Great run - pity about the wind
In full: The bit around 18 miles just felt like the organisers were trying to fit in a bit of road space much like the Edinburgh marathon. A little bit less of the down the road for a bit and then back again would be nicer (even if that means more time around the rowing lake). Just a pity the organisers can't arrange the weather - the wind was something else and especially tough after 20 or so miles in the legs
Date of review: September 15, 2011

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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		80%

In short: Great race - pity about the wind
In full: First half is really well supported - nice undulating route that has definite PB potential. Second half or the marathon is very flat, somewhat boring and not that many supporters but without the wind could still make for very good times. Says it all though that this years winning time was only 2:38 when the half was 1:05
Date of review: September 13, 2011

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

In short: Worst finish I have ever experienced
In full: In all my 35 years of running marathons this has got to rate as THE worst finish I have ever encountered and I thought Edinburgh Marathon 2009/2010 were bad.

This is a great course (weather permitting and it was not very kind this year with 35-40mph winds gusting over 50mph with the odd spells of driving rain) for running a good time but the crowd support is somewhat limited due to the nature of the course and the areas it runs through.

Not having much of a crowd at the finish was very weird. The total mess that was the goodies bag, medal, shirt handout and baggage areas leaves a lot to be desired. This of course is not a critisism of the volunteers who were trying to do their best but where was the organisation and management?

Then trying to get out from collecting your bag seemed to end in a fenced off area with just a small gap for the thousands of runners trying to get out and hundreds of spectators blocking the exit, the 20min trek up to the busses all added up to a very disappointing experience.
Date of review: May 23, 2011

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

In short: Really pleasant race out in the fresh country air
In full: Just a pity that you run on the left hand side of the road - always makes me worry what the cars are doing behind me. Also a real pity about the wind this year that made it just that bit more difficult but otherwise really nice course and I would definitely do this one again.
Date of review: April 4, 2011

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