My Event Ratings

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

In short: Challenging 10 miles with a fair few hills thrown in
In full: I ran this for the first time today and already think it's going to make it into my yearly calendar. The course is hilly but not to a particularly challenging level - just enough to keep things interesting. The route is through country lanes and froma high point you can see the coast and Blackpool Tower etc. - it's a shame the weather wasn't better today otherwise the views would have been great. The organisation was spot on throughout and everything seemed well organsied and friendly. Really good race.
Date of review: April 10, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Fast traffic free course, well worth the effort
Date of review: March 15, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Definite PB material
In full: Decent enough half marathon - the laps aren't my cup of tea really but it does help the pacing. The pacers were a great idea (and I noticed that the 8 min mile pacer was bang on the dot at the finish). Running by the sea is pretty nice and a decent atmosphere throughout. Good goodie bag also.
Date of review: February 22, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Well organised and for a good cause
In full: It's the third time I have done this race and I managed to get myself a PB today. Due to the rain the night before it was muddier than normal but that makes it more fun in my opinion. I always like to do this because it's local and for a good cause.
Date of review: January 25, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Wet, muddy and hilly - what it says on the tin
In full: This is a really fun race. I'd read about the nightmares in organisation in the past but on the whole the parking and arrangements were fine. The baggage process could have been speeded up as we arrived just after ten and by the time that had been sorted it was close to race time and I was near the back at the start. The atmosphere ws brilliant (the fireworks and 'Highway To Hell' were nice touches). I've maximum respect for everyone who does this and I like the fact that it is an inclusive race for people of all abilities but my natural competitiveness found it a tad frustrating when the first few hills were bottlenecked because people three abreast were walking up the first hill. Since the race is chip timed maybe it would be better to let all those who are going to get a great time (not me) go first and then stagger the rest of us mere mortals in 5 minute starts. The bottlenecks do provide a littel rest in places and do add to the camaraderie. It is the competitors that make the race special, from the screams ahead alerting you to something fun about to happen to the outstretched hands to those who are struggling. There was tons of laughter throughout the course (I created my own when I tried to break the long jump record by leaping over a ditch rather than wait my turn and landed flat out chest first in the mud). The course is tough and I am paying for it a little this morning but I did expect it to be harder, the hills aren't super steep and I did expect it to be more challenging (I wouldn't put itin the Tough Guy level of hard) but I'd definitely do the race again. I didn't find the entry fee to prohibitive (I know if you do the maths at £20 a head and look at how many marshalls etc were there you can tell it makes a few quid) but it certainly isn't in the price bracket of other special races. The goody bag was brilliant - a top I will actually wear and plenty of food to eat (vegan too which is a huge plus for me). Showers and a changing area would be a bonus and it doesn't have to be too fancy - a marquee with sprinklers would do and maybe add a few pounds to the entry for it. The two water stations were welcome but it was sad to see so many half bottles of water slung away. It's not the kind of course to carry a bottle round with you so perhaps small cups of water would be better (the logistics of having 2000 ready at both stations is another matter of course). Good fun and definitely one for next year.
Date of review: November 3, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Hilly and muddy - shakes the post-work cobwebs out
In full: Second time around for me on this course. It's a great trail course, hardwork up hill and break neck fast downhill. Due to the great British summertime it was pretty muddy which I think adds to the charm. Sadly, the train seemed to put off the competitors as the field was much smaller than last time. A major plus point for me was the exceptional marshalling - there seemed to be one at each corner, one for every entrant it felt. I'm particulalrly grateful for them hanging around in the drizzle so we can enjoy an early evening run.
Date of review: August 28, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A scenic run through South Ribble
In full: This is the second time I have done this race and I enjoyed it a fair bit. The heat made it harder work than it perhaps could have been (bagged a PB so I'm not complaining). Friendly, well organised, well marshalled and for a good cause.
Date of review: July 27, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great race and great organisation
Date of review: July 19, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Quick 10K around the trails south of the river
In full: This is a pretty fast 10K (28 seconds off my personal best today) with a very familiar route because I train around here pretty regularly. The race was well organised, well marshalled, hardly any bottle necks and a good mix of runners suitable for all standard of runners. It's for charity as well which is a bonus. I would definitely run it again.
Date of review: January 27, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Very hilly and very challenging but amazing views well worth the effort
In full: This was my first time doing the Longridge 7 after hearing previous good reviews. The course is challenging yet well within the capabilities of the average runner. The views from the top were amazing and it's a pity it wasn't a clear day as I'm sure they'd take your breath away (if the hills didn't). The marshalling and other competitors were friendly and it's a course I'd make the effort to do again. The Christmas pudding at the end was a real treat. The downside was that on the start time was on the entry form and I posted that form to the organisers - I received my number and there was directions and starting place but no start time (thankfully I have access to here) but I think a bit more attention here would be a good idea.
Date of review: December 16, 2007

Report this rating to the moderator