My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great race - fills up very quickly!
In full: Third time at this race and a regular feature on my calendar. Ladies only, great atmosphere & always a good feed at the end. Few hills but what goes up must come down. PB this year again. I'll be back next year!
Date of review: March 11, 2012

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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: Loved it! Great soup!
In full: My first Lumphanan and I'll definitely return. Having heard of 'the hill' at the start I was nervous. It's pretty steep and it's long, but once you hit the top it's down hill with mild undulations from thereon in. The farm track section was tough - no mud or puddles but the ground was pretty hard due to the cold. The race was really well organised, t-shirts were good (non-technical but the ladies fit t-shirt made a very welcome change). Choice of soup at the end was great and extremely tasty!
Date of review: January 14, 2012

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

In short: Beautiful countryside - a lovely run which I'd definitely do again.
In full: Throughly enjoyed this race. It was very well organised throughout, from the marshals at the car park to the finish area with each runner getting a mention as they approached the line.

The course was great - some short off-road stretches and gentle undulations which led to fast downhill areas.

Goody bags were great - lovely race t-shirt in ladies as well as gents fit, and some Crathes Castle bits and pieces. I'll definitely enter this race again.

Great day out for everyone as there were activities for families and spectators throughout the day too.
Date of review: September 17, 2011

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

In short: Poor finish - again!
In full: Having done the marathon last year (& vowed never again) I found myself taking a friend's place as he dropped out.

Initial organisation appeared better than last year. There were more toilets at the start of the race and the urinals for men definitely helped to keep the queues down. Pens were not manned but were well labelled and everyone appeared to sort themselves out quite well. Baggage buses were well numbered and easy to find.

The start was quite smooth - off and running fairly quickly with no major disasters and plenty of bins to dump extra clothes etc.

The route itself was fine and the changeable weather was quite welcome - blustery with some sunshine and the odd shower was a welcome change after the heat of last year.

The water stations were well signed and usually well manned. However, there was one that lacked numbers of marshals for supplying water and I ended up passing it by due to the numbers of people trying to get water. It would be good to have longer tables, lots more marshals and both sides of the road available if possible.

Toilet facilities were reasonably plentiful - I didn't use them but the queues appeared to be relatively short while out on the course.

Support, particularly towards the end, was plentiful and very encouraging - thanks to all spectators for cheering us all on. However, the finish itself was a bit of a let down. I didn't see any markers suggesting it was close and having finished in the race arena last year I expected at some point to be funneled in there. It was a bit of an anti-climax when I therefore realised I'd crossed the finishing line only because those in front of me started walking.

There was then a long walk to get water and sports drink, I had to ask for a medal as they weren't really forthcoming and was disappointed to see that it was not dated. Then there was a huge queue for t-shirts. I know that there were problems with the finshing area being crowded last year and access for ambulances, but the street was then totally crammed while people waited for around 15 minutes to get through the t-shirt area. A couple of folks had sat down in the midst of this and struggled to get back up, and I think there could have been real issues had someone amongst the crowd required assistance.

I got my t-shirt (Medium) but am aware that there were many others around me disappointed as they had run out of both small and large by the time I finished (4:19). The lads on the baggage buses were did a good job but could have done with more support. There was then a walk around to the reunion area which was well marked. Having experienced the shambles of the buses last year, we stayed in Musselburgh and found it was easy to walk home.

Once again, a potentially good race spoiled to some degree by the organisational glitches.
Date of review: May 24, 2011

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

In short: Really well organised race and a lovely course!
In full: Having done the Half Marathon a few times and the 10k once, this year I decided to try the full marathon. As always, the organisers came up trumps. The races are always well organised, from the start in the Town Hall with good toilet and changing facilities, to the well marked and marshaled route with water stations aplenty.

The marathon course begins in the Cooper Park and takes a lovely route to Burghead and along the coastline. Although the race is run on the road traffic does not interfere due to the plentiful signage, drivers taking due care and showing respect for the runners.

The course is gently undulating and really is worth doing. If you like small, friendly races, you'll love this! A pretty fast field on the whole but a good number of more leisurely paced runners too.

Finish is again in the Cooper Park and the later start of the half marathon and 10k mean that the faster marathoners are coming in at the peak time, I would imagine with lots of crowd support.

The names of incoming runners are announced, the finish is well manned, as is the route, with first aiders, and then it's on to the Town Hall for sandwiches and a hot drink/juice. The massage service at £5 a go for charity is also well worth it.

Another great day out. Well done to the organisers - the fact that it's the 29th year says it all! They know how to do it in style!!!
Date of review: September 6, 2010

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: PB potential on a cold day
In full: Very very hot day which made running extremely uncomfortable. Very crowded at the start due to the Hairy Haggis relay runners being put at the front of the Regent Road marathon start - really bad idea as many couldn't run the pace of the marathon folks behind them, were slowing the pace down and even walking within the first couple of miles. This does need looking at.

The route was pleasant enough but really not that interesting - out and back along the seafront. Good crowd support and really appreciated all the garden hoses - would've struggled without them.

Disappointed with the finish at the race course - the mats were really bumpy to run on, not good after that distance. Queues for finish photos, didn't bother, long walk to the finishing area, longer walk to luggage buses and huges queues for buses back to the start so we phoned a taxi from a friendly local kebab shop!

Great medal and t-shirt but no inclination to return again.
Date of review: May 25, 2010

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

In short: Ups, downs, haybales, cargo nets, mud - what more could you ask for???
In full: A first time for me but I can see why so many people go back year on year. Great organisation with 3 waves for starting and chipped timing to ensure accurate times.

Narrow in places at the start but moved along well. Obstacles were hilarious - I've never been so muddy in my life! Marshalls were fantastic, offering to haul you out if required.

Be prepared to be on your hands and knees as you scramble up steep banks etc. Really great fun, lots of laughs and despite being exhausted ran with a smile on my face all the way!
Date of review: June 28, 2009

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

In short: Enjoyable half, very well organised, friendly race.
In full: My 2nd time running the half marathon, and got a PB this time. Really enjoyable race with great organisation. Buses take all the runners to the start point for the half which is at Gordonstoun. Changing facilities and toilets are available there with a bus to take belongings back to the town hall. Lots of water stations along the way, pockets of spectators and friendly marshalls. Lovely finish running past Elgin Cathedral and into the Cooper Park where the commentator announces the names of the incoming runners. Fine spread at the Town Hall afterwards, and nice quality t-shirts given out too. Will probably be back again next year.
Date of review: September 13, 2008

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