My Event Ratings

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

In short: A beast of a hill plus several others but with great support
In full: A really cold, grey wintery day with an occasional snow shower didn't stop this from being a really good race.

There are 2 tough hills plus a few gentle ones which means it's probably not great for a PB but I'd definitely recommend it.

The marshalls and supporters were amazing, especially as it was so bitterly cold for just standing around. It's very well organised so I can't really fault it at all.
Date of review: February 26, 2013

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

In short: Check out the 'sights' as you run!
In full: This is a really well organised race which takes runners past some of the really famous London landmarks. The first 4 miles are mostly slightly downhill which makes it hard not to go too fast (I was guilty of this!)

Once you get back to Hyde Park there's still quite a lot of the race to run and there are lots of places where you see people running, either ahead or behind you. This meant I had no idea of the direction I was running in for a lot of the time. It also makes you realise how HUGE Hyde Park is.

I really enjoyed it despite the last 4 miles feeling really tough due to going too fast at the start. I managed to take 55 seconds off my PB!

I might do it again but it depends on if I decide getting up at 5.15am in order to catch a suitable train is just too early.
Date of review: October 7, 2012

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

In short: 2nd year and a HUGE PB
In full: Having run last year I was aware of the everlasting long uphill inclines. Last year I think I showed these too much respect but this year I really attacked them & stunned myself by getting a PB by over 2 1/2 minutes.
The crowd support was totally amazing, despite the wet weather &, although it's a very busy course, it is possible to weave around people to overtake. It's also quite a surreal experience to see a dual carriage way chockablock with runner.
The finishing strait is amazing & The Leas are really beautiful. Crowds were at least 3 deep along this stretch & really cheer the runners on.
The Tyne Bridge & Red Arrows make this an iconic race to run. PLus it's not every day you get to run with 44,000 other runners!
Date of review: September 27, 2012

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

In short: Mud glorious mud
In full: There was a small problem with the signage as they didn't alter it once the 1st car park was full so people were having to turn around to go back to the main car park. Just a minor problem really...

It was well organised and the 'race village' was good. It's most definitely family friendly. Marshalls were good but their wasn't much crowd support en route.

Some of the hills were extra challenging this year due to the mud caused by 3 weeks of rubbish weather.

I enjoyed it an may do it next year - it's a bit of a hike from Brighton though...

Date of review: May 16, 2012

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

In short: Scenery, weather and PB potential
In full: What can I say! I did this last year and came back this year for more. It's a fantastic race, well organised, beautiful scenery, mostly flat and fast. The weather was perfect - sunny but cool with a slight breeze. Was also really chuffed to knock 4 minutes off my PB.
Date of review: April 1, 2012

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

In short: Quite tough (and dusty!)
In full: I enjoyed this race very much and it was a good challenge. I liked the fact that we started in different 'waves' as it meant the trails weren't too crowded. There's a tough uphill finish but I managed to overtake 2 ladies in the last 250m.

Organisation was excellent except that the runners 'village' was not signposted and was difficult to find. A family friendly event.

I would have preferred to receive number/chip before the race rather than collecting it on the day.

I could probably be tempted to do this again but it's a bit of a long way from Brighton.

OVERALL = VERY GOOD.
Date of review: May 14, 2011

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

In short: cor blimey it was hot
In full: The loos had attendants and the rather long queues moved surprisingly quickly. The organisation was great. The St John's Ambulance staff were fantastic (I was in need of treatment due to heat exhaustion). When I eventually finished there were still people around to cheer me on.
Date of review: April 11, 2011

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

In short: Absolutely fabulous.
In full: Great organisation. Great crowd support. Fantastic day out. Bit too hot but organisers can't really influence tgis!

Chris Hutchings - you are a legend!!

Date of review: April 18, 2010

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

In short: Poor Organisation and shame about the atrocious weather
In full: Firstly, can I say that the weather was truly atrocious - definitely a day for staying indoors. I was impressed by the number of people who were out supporting us runners on such a foul day.

Also, thanks for all the marshalls and helpers who gave up their time on such a terrible day.

The 2009 race was my first half marathon and I thought it was well organised. Unfortunately the organisation was shoddy this year.

Queues for the loos were massive and I only just found the baggage area (no signposts)in time for the start of the race.

There were a few bottlenecks on the course and it was made more awkward by pedestrians being in the way. I wonder what had happened to the mile markers as I didn't see many en route.

The worst point was definitely the finishing area. It was almost impossible move forward due to the congestion caused by the chip removers and the narrow width of the area.

I couldn't find a silver cape for love nor money. Turned out they were at the far end of the finishing area. By the ime I finally got a cape I was frozen to the core.

I then had to fight my way back to the baggage area which was a nightmare as there were so many finishers and spectators in the way. The route to the baggage area should have been exclusively for runners. It was a free for all to get your bag back as there were no marshalls supervising the area.

Date of review: February 21, 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		60%

In short: Fast course - quite windy but at least the rain held off.
In full: The course definitely has a PB potential. I beat mine by over 7 minutes (first time ever under 1 hour)! It was a bit breezy in one direction but at least the wind was at your back on the home strait.
Date of review: November 15, 2009

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