My Event Ratings

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

In short: Well organised flatish city half
In full: This was the 4th time I've done this and whilst it was by far my slowest due to my lack of preparation I think the organisation etc was the best so far. Support from Marshalls and the public was very good and thought the finish was very slick, medal/T-shirt/bannana/chip removal (big contrast with Cov the week before).
My wife had a bad time after feeling ropey early on, but she is full of praise for the support from all the Marshalls and the public and the announcer at the end who praised her smile. So special thanks to everyone who gave Clare encouragement, it was really appreciated.
Date of review: October 9, 2011

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

In short: Hot, weel supported half
In full: Weather made any prospect of a PB a waste of time for me. Last year there were more toilets at the start than runners which was brilliant, this year they had a meagre few and massive queues - luckily the bus station provided some relief.

Support throughout was great, best supported city half I've done. Thought I'd paid the extra for the tech shirt mentioned in the previous review but I didnt get one - not sure what I was meant to do to get it, but I was too hot and bothered to care by the end. Nice medal though.
Thought the goody bag was a bit disappointing - back of space raiders and a melted mars bar wasn't really what I needed.
Didn't think the race had quite the spark of last year, can't out my finger on why.
Date of review: October 2, 2011

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

In short: Challenging well organised half
In full: I gave this a miss last year as I think it clashed with Leicester but happy to return for the 4th time. Its a tough one by my standards, hills towards the end are always hard, but its a great race. The marshalls are as supportive as at any race I've done and the whole feel of the event makes it likely that it will continue to be a regular on my calendar.

Thanks to all involved.
Date of review: September 4, 2011

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

In short: Well organised, challenging 2 lap run
In full: 2nd time doing this and found it tough again. Organisation was top notch, friendly marshalls, gels at water stations, really great effort by those involved. Hoody and goody bag also very impressive and the cheese roll was excellet.

I agree with the comments re the number of toilets at the leisure centre - queues were massive for the limited facilities there and it may be worth getting a few portaloos in next time.
Date of review: March 14, 2011

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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		80%

In short: Good city half, few improvements still needed.
In full: Third time doing this and enjoyed it again. Having said that, I echo what many have said - toilets inadequate in number at start, poor effort with a generic medal for the significant entrance fee and more marshalls are needed up New Walk to keep the public to the side. Marshalling was excellent bar that one gripe.
Date of review: October 11, 2010

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

In short: Surprisingly scenic, terrifically well organised.
In full: As other reviewers have mentioned, the heat was a massive issue. But I like the May date - October is packed with local halves for me (Leicester/Kenilworth), so I like the date.

Organisation brilliant, car parking was very easy (although to be fair I knew where to go), support fabulous throughout and the course, to someone who has never seen anything but the city centre, was great, some really nice areas and the run through the park towards the end was great.

Many thanks to all involved in putting this event on - I'll be back for sure and will recommend it to people in my club and friends.
Date of review: May 23, 2010

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

In short: Challenging cross country with a couple of monster hills
In full: Very frosty/icy conditions which made things a bit difficult in places, but a great fun event to start the new year. A few queues to get past some of the early obstacles in the woods, but no bad thing as you need your energy for later and the views from the top of the hills are great.

Top marks to the organisers and all the marshalls - every one of them offered encouragement and warned of potential hazards. And many thanks to the woman who helped my wife up the icy climb at Croft hill - she'd still be stuck there without your help.

Soup and roll which is provided free at end just what is needed.
Date of review: January 3, 2010

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

In short: Scenic, hilly, friendly race
In full: 3rd time doing this and the hardest time I've had. Its a lot hillier than advertised for sure and the hills seemed worse in the sun, but the friendly marshalls encourage you all the way round. The volunteers were tremendous, really encouraging as were the runners who showed genuine concern when I had to walk and checked I was OK (I looked worse than I felt) - thanks to you all. I can't thank the marshalls enough for encouraging my wife all the way round and the people at the water station at the end who were so kind to us both- she was full of it.

Look forward to giving it another crack next year.
Date of review: October 4, 2009

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

In short: Superbly organised hilly two lap race
In full: My longest ever run by a few miles and I thoroughly enjoyed the event. Organisation was spot on as everyone else has said and a real mix of abilities ensured even well beyond the 3 hours mark there were still plenty of people around.

Particular mention for me goes to the people at the water stations, everyone was so cheery and kind and all also to all the marshalls who were clapping and encouraging all the way round.

Bit disappointed to be beaten by the gorilla by a couple of minutes - next year I'll have him!
Date of review: March 24, 2009

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

In short: Superbly organised race
In full: Must agree with previous comments about the marshalling and organistaion - top notch, and the two lads marshalling under the subway after about 11 miles were excellent - if you're going to marshall, which must be a thankless job, why not give it your all like these lads, even though I was suffering badly with cramp they cracked me up. The marsahlls all the way round were excellent and thanks to you all.

Thanks to everyone who helped my wife when she fell in the first mile - it was her first half marathon and she really appreciated everyone who stopped to help pick her/her water bottles etc up - wish I could buy those that helped a drink, cos she finished and is full of it!

I though the toilet were fine by the way - OK, you had to wait 5 minutes if you wanted to go at 9am, but isn't that reasonable that close to the start time?
Date of review: October 19, 2008

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