My Event Ratings

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

In short: Its NOT flat, not sure what race others were doing!
In full: I really enjoyed it but should have done more research as slowed in the second half due to what seemed like more climbs from the half way mark. Although the start and finish were at the same place so I'd thought 'what goes up must come down' etc. but most of the downhill's seemed to be down to a 'T' junction so you couldn't relax down them, you had to break.
Lots of turns so not really PB potentail I'd say.
May be not as many toilets but I arrived and started lining up about 45 minutes before the start and wasn't waiting long. If you get in the line not long before the start then what do you expect??
Good race and nice to see the race director at the end and thank him personally. Thanks also to the marshalls!!
Date of review: March 8, 2012

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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: Good solid well organised race, at a time that not much is going on!
In full: Yes there weren't enough toilets, meant you had to wait a little. Really no big deal and this happens at pretty much every race I run so harsh to highlight this on the feedback.
Enjoyable race with great freebies at the end, easy to get number and chip at the start. lead cyclist was very cheerful both at the start and at the finish. Strangly hardly any club runners at the event, mayb edue to womens surrey cross country the day before but I think there will be more as this event grows.
Good race, well worth doing
Date of review: December 4, 2011

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

Date of review: August 21, 2011

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

In short: not much competition for half's at this time of year but none the less this is a solid race that i would continue to put in my schedule
Date of review: August 21, 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		60%

In short: Great race, full of friendly runners. This is a PB course!!
In full: I came in at 3:05 and was on on for 3:00 until about 23 miles although the rot set in at 20 miles. Got running with a friendly group from about mile 15 through to 20 odd and we all just plodded the miles out at sub 3 pace, unfortunately only 1 guy made it to sub 3!!
Really friendly people, race organisation did everything you need. Yes cups aren't ideal but they were every 3 miles so not a real nightmare.

Only idea for next year: It took me about 25 minutes to walk back to the car park at Abingdon college with very sore legs, I would have happily paid £3 or so for a shuttle bus to get me back. Might be some more money to be made for the Rotary Club.
Date of review: October 17, 2010

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

In short: Would sum up as an OK race that I will probably do again
In full: Everything was just ok with the race. Not a lot to rave about but certainly nothing to complain about either. I'd do again I'm sure and would say it's a good one for others.
Although I think if a first timer asked I would suggust a bigger race for them but that's just a personal opinion.

Feedback for organisers: Make giving feedback easier, sorry to be lazy but I'm not goin g to print off a PDF and post to you- give me an email address and make it easy.
Only feedback is around the cups used, plastic cups are never ideal but the Kliz one's you used did the job. The problem one's were the larger cups of about 3/4 of apint size with very thick plastic, these just shattered when you squeezed them which is the best way to run. Not a complaint but any stretch but I would imagine thy are more epensive and do a worse job.
Date of review: September 28, 2010

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

In short: Well organised and good fun
In full: 2nd year on the spin for me, again really enjoyed it and will be back next year.
Really stuggling to think of anything to improve, only thing I can think of is another van selling cold drinks and food at the end as the que was huge so I didn't bother (being really really picky there!)
Great weather made the views fantastic and everyone is really friendly while out there tackling some great hills.
I'll be back for sure
Date of review: June 13, 2010

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

In short: Really enjoyed it, good course layout with lots of support.
In full: I was one of the few who should have been in Boston hence the £50 entry fee being a bit steep, but I'm glad I paid it.
To improve for next year:
More toilets needed at the start,
Start was delayed but we didn't know why or what was happening (prehaps speakers on the trees that lined the start?)
2 180 degree turns during the course.

On the flip side:
Everything else, good course with lots of support. Even with 2 180 degree turns I think there is pb potential in this course. Goody bag was ok with big medal and t-shirt. End was well organised and funnelled through well. Start pens were easy to move around in. As a Boston entry I should have been at the very back but managed to walk up to the 4 hr pen (didn't slow anyone down as ran 3:04. Although the lose marshalling of the pens worked for me this year it should be better controlled.

Overall really good race with only a few real minor points to work on for next year. If not in Boston I'll be there 100%
Date of review: April 20, 2010

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

In short: Good race, well organised and not as bad as you would think!
Date of review: April 12, 2010

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

In short: 'not bad' sums up the race. Only Jan road marathon so would be back
In full: Race was basic but had what it needed. Unsure on the previous reviews talking about t-shirts as I certainly didn't see or get one! Race does have pb potential if you've done your hill work before hand. If your running around the 3hr to 3:20 mark so race can get a little lonely on the 2nd lap but by the 3rd you are starting to lap people which gives some conversation. Personally I didn't like the no iPod rule. Marshall were where they neede to be.
Due to the lack of comminication before hand (I wouldn't have found the info sheet if not pointed out by a forum
member) and the organisers unwillingness to engage in communication it does give the impression they don't really want to organise it but do it for the money.
Bottom line is it's a basic race which is over priced but is I think the only January road marathon so I'll be back of another one doesn't start up
Date of review: January 25, 2010

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