My Event Ratings

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

In short: Lovely, sunny day for a tour of Woodley!..
In full: I really enjoyed this run and I have done quite a few 10Ks in my time. I rate this one very highly as the organisation was smooth, the location was a lovely field with plenty of room to warm up on and plenty for the children to do, with a swing park etc and a BBQ. Children’s race was well organised and was well supported by all, as it was before the 'main event' and so gave us something to watch at cheer at. The main 10K was excellent, with a relaxed start on the field, with the widest start line I have seen in a long time, meaning more runners could start nearer the front which really benefited me and was one of the reasons I managed to get a PB!.. There were not too many bottle necks from my perspective, which gave me a clear run through, all the way to the finish. The run was all road, but was fine for me and was quite reminiscent of the Yateley 10K series coming up soon. Over all, recommended by me. Hope to return next year for more of the same.
Date of review: May 13, 2013

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

In short: Summertime fun in the sun!..
In full: A sunny day at long last. It may have been a little warm for running, or a shock to the system but can't complain as I managed to just get a PB by a few seconds. The race was well organised and really enjoyed my first outing at Shinfield 10K. It had a nice feel to it, with the Mayday Fete and the Brass Band; but what made the event for us was the children's races, which made a morning of it instead of rushing off after the run was done. Well done RRR, we'll be back next year.
Date of review: May 6, 2013

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

In short: Dancing on mud!..
In full: Can't predict or even order the weather for the day, so had to make do with a wet run. It did not dampen the spirits though one little bit, even with the hills thrown in (this is not a flat run by any means) and the constant drizzle. Marshals were excellent and crowd support on such a horrid day was lovely, really kept me going.

The 'not-so-much' fun was as we entered the finish area, the ground was a total quagmire, but the organisers had put out mats at the worst spot for us to run on. Just after finishing, however, it really was a case of 'dancing on mud'as we slithered to the 'de-chipping area' and beyond. Then it was the obligatory medal and 'goody bag', which wasn't too bad. Also bottles of water and sports drinks for all finishers. Dry next year please!.. ;-)
Date of review: March 17, 2013

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

In short: This aint no flat, road marathon...
In full: If you want to enter your first marathon, where the organisers have it bang on, then this is the one for you but be warned, this is no flat, monotonous road race, but a grown-up trail run with magnificent scenery and wildlife on the North Downs between Farnham and Guilford. Epic!..

I found it tough going this year, but the crowd support, marshals and the trails just keeps you going so, in short, this is the toughest marathon you'll do in the area. If you are a trail runner, you'll love this for the variety of terrain and has enough hills and potentially mud if it were a wet day, to keep you interested. Thoroughly recommend this one. Maybe it will be a wet one next year to make it even more challenging. :-)
Date of review: September 17, 2012

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

In short: First one of the series.
In full: Always worth the wait and the anticipation this one and a finishing time to build on for next month. If you don't get a good time, but have a good time, there is always July to make amends and August to pull out all the stops to try and get that PB you so dearly deserve!.. Or you could just run around the streets and houses of Yateley and soak up the atmosphere. Either way you'll enjoy the experience. In short, a compelling mid-week 10k of the highest standard.
Date of review: June 11, 2012

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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: The only race that I've run where the down hills are worse than the ups!..
In full: I paid for the 'suicidal' down hills again and even had someone try and stop me from almost falling down them, but decided to press on. Oww!, by 9 miles my calves were strained and had to resort to a hobble. Luckily I managed a sprint finish and ran 5 minutes quicker this year!.. You never know what is going to happen in a race.

I thoroughly recommend 'The Marlow' though still, especially with the ideal conditions we had today. The strength sapping hills are fun to run with the lovely scenery in the country-side, so have scored this race highly.
Date of review: November 6, 2011

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

In short: Pure PB Paradise.
In full: Very quick run on well marshalled roads made for a guaranteed personal best for me. This was my second only road marathon (off-road 4 weeks ago) and I found it extremely quick and flat (except for that subway!..) but was a little annoyed with the finish. Before entering the stadium for that ‘running track sprint’ we had to go through a little detour when we are all, how can I say it, a little bit tired and wanting to finish. Apart from that, fine. Average scenery with narrow country roads, but I knew it was all about that PB…
Date of review: October 16, 2011

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

In short: Farnham to Guildford the scenic route.
In full: If you were paying for a taxi to take you from Farnham to Guildford and you were taken on this route, you would be none too pleased, but to run it is a different matter!..

This was only my 2nd ever marathon and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it (except for being sent the wrong way once) for some strange reason. Was it the narrow trails through glorious countryside, the flora and fauna with the 'wooly bullies' in the field that we all ran through, or perhaps the crowd support (especially from the wife and kids at various viewing points) I am not sure. All I know is that I will definitely be running this again next year. I am now a convert to the full marathon after years of running 'halves' and trying to avoid 'the big one', so I am one happy camper. :-)

The only real issue was in entering Guildford where we crossed a main road (that was OK but the roads are not closed for this event) and missed the next check point, but all was well once we doubled back a little and continued on our way again. Thanks to the marshals, but please cheer up next time, it could be worse, you don't have to run it!..
Date of review: September 23, 2011

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

In short: Lovely run in a beautiful location.
In full: Wellington College is a lovely place for a run. If you are looking for an enjoyable and safe 10k run through beautiful surroundings, then look no further than the Sam Run. It starts off on grass, then onto tarmac, back to grass, through woods with views of a lake, back to road and then onto tracks before more grass again to get you to half way so as you can see it is a real 'multi-terrain' run. A real joy, but boy, it was hot!..
Date of review: July 3, 2011

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

In short: Lovely local trail run through the woods at the Lookout.
In full: Another brilliant run in the Lookout woods, which never disappoints. This year slightly damper under foot which made parts of the course a little easier whereas last year may have been more sandy. Always plenty of parking and always well signposted around the course, makes you think they may have done this before. ;-) Will be back again next year for more of the same.
Date of review: June 15, 2011

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