My Event Ratings

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

In short: I'm inclined to say hilly!
In full: Agree with most of the forum comments around start line, mile markers and undulating vs hilly 'issues'. But most of the niggles can be overcome with tweaks and more detailed website/race pack information. They did warn us about cattle grids and trail paths so tough to complain there...although my feet took a battering on that diversion onto a new shingle path. Hopefully it stays on our race calendar and the finish line gains itself a banana table! Still, it was nice to get a medal and t-shirt. Great route for the field size and for the full range of speeds, which should be encouraged because of the narrow paths in parts. Nice to have support from the public and the marshalls but was a bit let down by one marshall who thought it would be a good idea to say "all downhill from here I promise" at mile 21. Heartbreaking lie.
Date of review: November 9, 2010

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

In short: It was a good'un
In full: I prefer races with smaller numbers participating so unlike some, welcomed the space between runners over the middle-miles. Saying that, it should be a more popular event as it was well organised and the route's a good combination of city and rural. A good turn out of supporters dotted around the course, the Salvation Army Band sending us off on our first strides through the centre was a nice touch and a mostly traffic free race with the Council having adding its weight to help block traffic. Was a bit nervous about this 'hill' mentioned in other comments - it is a long, gentle incline so a bit unkind in the last 1km, but hey, when you've already run 41 you're not going to say no. Full of friendly racers, fantastic marshals and a nice medal at the end to keep you smiling. Only downer was on the organisation at the water stations - a bit hard to get in smoothly at the earlier stations with numbers coming through from both distance races.
Date of review: October 12, 2009

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

In short: onwards and upwards
In full: If there was one thing I was expecting from 'undulating' it was some downhill! It seemed a never ending incline! All the same, I really enjoyed the race. A lot of grunt needed to keep on going up the hills so very satisfying to get across the finish line. It seemed a fast field given the number of those warming up in earnest but it ended up being a good mix. Very warm day, glad of the marshalls, sponges and water stations. Perhaps could've started earlier but the organisers obviously have good reasons. 11am start makes for a decent breakfast so won't complain too much
Date of review: August 18, 2009

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

In short: The goody bag at the end makes up for that hill at the start!
In full: Thought this was a well organised event - although would agree with suggestions about staggering the different race starts to avoid bottle necks. Marshalls and the locals that showed up to support the runners were great. Woohoo for the awesome goody bag!
Date of review: July 20, 2009

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

In short: Warm but enjoyable run
In full: Didn't think I would like the lap circuit particularly with a field of this size - but I rather enjoyed this experience. Good range of running abilities, cheering crowd, handy out of London with the start time and a good day out running along the coast in traffic free bliss. The breeze helped wick away some sweat but the heat did dry you out...which brings me to the water stations - while they were frequent enough and well staffed, the circuit and field size equated to bottle necks on this hot race day. The handlers were a bit crammed together making it hard to spot a free cup and keep from slipping on the empty ones underfoot. Nice easy route and well organised otherwise. Good price, nice medal and for a worthy cause - will be there next year(with my own drink bottle!)
Date of review: June 18, 2009

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