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		40%

In short: Killer hills, nice scenery, friendly locals. small quite fast field, fantastic little town
Date of review: April 10, 2011

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

In short: Not too busy, nice long hill challenges, mixed field, could do with better drinks facilities, overall thumbs up!
Date of review: March 27, 2011

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

In short: WHY CAN THEY NOT HAVE STARTS IN WAVES?!
In full: First of all, again, I got a PB of 48:12 (not on the time that I paid extra for with the chip!) So there is only so much I can complain about.

Postives: This is like a London tourist bus trail.
It was 30 degres today and they had enough water stations.

Negatives:
I assume that since they were a bit low when I went past them, the several thousand needing water may not have got any from the stations.

Right, I've done quite a lot of races now. I'm no pro and I've got a long way to go. I've started at the back of the pack and perhaps it's time I really try and get to the front of the field.

The gun goes off, the elite men go and in amongst them, even with the elite runners, are overweight fun runners, trundling along. I was in the first half at least and it was a nightmare.

If you want to go slow, fine. Perhaps don't start at the very front?!! I've nothing against fun runners etc. I'm running for charity myself but I would hate to know that I'm ruining someone else's race for them.

I lost huge amounts of time getting stuck in rolling road blocks, it was ridiculous. Absolutely shambolic. Is it too much effort to stagger the field into time relative waves?

I could ramble on some more but to summarise:
The pace of the field ruins it if you're not a beginner or at the very, very front.

The route is great but don't do this if you want a good time without getting slowly more annoyed at the people you have to constantly push past.
Date of review: July 11, 2010

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

In short: Very dull course, with some inclines but not too steep, nice stadium finish.
In full: Well, I got a PB in this race, so I can't complain too much about the event I suppose!

Comparing this and the Great Manchester Run would be a tad unfair, given that they share similar names I'm sure people may be expecting a similar bonanza, which it isn't quite.

The Great Run makes up for not exactly amazing route by being totally flat and having a great atmosphere. This one had about 50 spectators along the route, with a couple of hundred in the athletics stadium. There are some inclines on the dual carriageway and up a bridge.

The 1 1/2 lap route was pretty dull, especially when visiting the same things twice, I took in all the sights of the Manchester City Car Park though!

Overall, I'd say it is a good race and it will only get better over the years. Newcomers to running would be disappointed that it's not like the Great Manchester Run but then not a lot of races are and this costed a fair bit less. Having said that, for this medium priced race, there isn't too much (other than the athletics stadium start/finish) to make you appreciate where your extra cash is going.

Finally, the marshalls could do with marshalling a bit more rather than just standing around. Lots of people cutting corners (and risking falling over pavements etc). Also, the poor souls going very slowly had to put up with finishers clogging up the race route whilst walking away from the stadium. I saw one runner have to force her past two people. In that situation, it could have done with the marshalls actually getting people off the race course, rather than just standing around.
Date of review: July 4, 2010

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

In short: Good value, nice atmosphere, good weather, excellent medal (if you like that kind of thing!)
In full: -ve:

The start line was completely overcrowded, there were people split over everywhere, which was a tad chaotic.

The cobbled street end was pretty dodgy indeed!

Ending at the castle was great but inside the castle was way too overcrowded and congested, especially if you're hot and tired and trying to catch your breath.

+ve:
The course, although not exactly picturesque in parts, allowed for my 2 fans (mum & gf) to see me twice, which was fun for them.

Parking - Excellent. £1 to park near the start line in the neighbouring school. Stewards were very friendly, and although you could have found a free space with a bit of effort, a quid was a fair price.

The goodie bag was excellent, lots of stuff in there and probably the best medal I've ever got. Much better than the Great Run ones.

Generally, a well organised race, decent course and worked well as an advert for the City of Lincoln, we visited the Catherdral etc afterwards - which is what I assume Lincoln Council were after.
Date of review: April 13, 2010

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

In short: HALF - Noticeably smaller than than other races but with a similar price tag
Date of review: April 13, 2010

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