My Event Ratings

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

In short: Hard going but a great race
In full: This was my first Hell Up North. I'd been told how hard it was but after the first few miles I was wondering what all the fuss was about.

Then we hit our first obstacle, a short, muddy bog. That was just a mild introduction. Near-vertical climbs and long steep descents soon followed, lots more mud then, the lake.

That was pretty hard core - waist deep with much deeper patches - I slipped up to my neck a couple of times. It took ages to get through it, probably 15 minutes and that's a long time to be in deep water so it was hard going. However, it only took so long as everyone was following the person in front to try to get an idea of what was ahead - there were loads of people charging past through untested ground, anyone could have done the same to get out quicker.

Once out the other side my feet were like ice but a few minutes of running soon warmed them up again.

The bog of doom at the end was brutal too, really deep muddy holes some of which were pretty hard to get out of. Here was my only real complaint - the tapes holding the spectators back had been trampled down so they all moved forward and were pretty in your face, stood right next to the bogs, you almost had to push past them.

Overall though it was hard going but great fun with a real feeling of accomplishment to finish. People should definitely be aware though that it is hard going, very cold and wet, steep climbs and descents and neck deep water and mud. The weather was pretty sunny too, if it were cold and wet it would have been ten times worse. Plus I'm still grimy two showers later.
Date of review: November 4, 2012

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

In short: Great organisation and atmosphere, loved it!
In full: This is our second year doing the Yule Yomp. Last year it was a winter wonderland, this year was a complete mudathon.

Loads of rain and mildish weather meant that the course was pretty muddy and slippery in lots of places which made it hard going, especially uphill though there was a fair amount of track / road. Course was lovely, showing off the best of Tatton park.

Organisation was good, loads of road signs for drivers, plenty of Marshals, timing chips in race numbers, well-marked course (though the distance markers were off) and very smart medals and goody bags (with Raisin Bread!) at the end.

Atmosphere was great. This is not a small race, there were around 900 runners but it felt very friendly and everyone seemed pretty cheery. Nice to see lots of dressing up too.

Overall, hard course due to the weather but we all loved it, this is fast becoming our favorite event.
Date of review: December 11, 2011

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

In short: Nice run, terrible organisation
In full: This was my first half having previously done plenty of 10k's. The course was enjoyable, a couple of miles of dull roads then 6 or 7 of nice parkland a a finish on the front - quite pleasant.

The whole day was spoiled by poor organization. There were not enough loos at the start and the start was a complete scrum, you hard to just force your way in - rubbish. Support was OK during the race and I enjoyed the run though the marshal that suggested that the 12m mark was "just round the corner" didn't help seeing as it was half a mile further on.

What I didn't enjoy was having to queue for at least half an hour for my t-shirt and goody back, the last thing in the world I wanted after an exhausting 13 miles was to be crammed in between two barriers for 30 mins.

It was a real shame and though it didn't really take the shine off the day as I was as pleased as punch to have completed a half it added unnecessary hassle and was pretty annoying. Not sure if I'll do it again, at the minute I'm leaning towards no.
Date of review: March 28, 2011

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

In short: Good atmosphere but cramped, boring route and expensive
In full: Overall atmosphere was very good as was organization. Despite lots of runners it still felt relatively easy just to turn up and run, there was no standing around for hours.

However, once the run was under way it felt very busy and cramped for ages, at least the first 5K. It got quite annoying being constantly blocked and penned in and this is not something I noticed last year so something must have changed.

Also, the route was very dull, even worse than last year. Why can't the route showcase Manchester instead of bypassing most of it?

So anyway, it was ok but not great. I'd do it again but only because it's my "home" course as it were, if I was traveling I'd look for something else.
Date of review: May 18, 2009

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

In short: Another fun day out
In full: Same as last year, organisation was fine and atmosphere was great. The weather was kinder too, dry and cloudy.

Once problem was the that mile markers were either missing or VERY small. I only saw two, my friends didn't see any. That was a bit annoying. Also, the sausage roll in the goody bag had been replaced with a Cheese and Onion pastie. I don't like cheese - gutted!

Anyway, the run was fun and we all had a good time so definitely recommended.
Date of review: May 11, 2009

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

In short: Great atmosphere and organisation but dull route
In full: I did this for the first time yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The atmosphere was brilliant and the sheer number of runners was amazing.

I was very impressed at the organization too, it was all very efficient, we got away bang on time and there were barriers about 100m before the start to act as a choke point so you could cross the start running. It was all very easy, just turn up and run.

I do feel though that the route could have been better, I found it pretty dull. Apart from that though I would thoroughly recommend this run, it's one heck of an event.
Date of review: May 19, 2008

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

In short: A nice day out
In full: I really enjoyed this one. The organization was great, the course was interesting with great scenery and nice spectator points where the wife could watch me stagger past. There was a friendly family atmosphere with a great cross-spectrum of runners.

It poured with rain which was a shame as the atmosphere was brilliant and I'm more would have stayed around after to enjoy the park.

Plus, you get a goody bag at the end with a sausage roll in it - perfect!
Date of review: May 12, 2008

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

In short: Pleasant route with a few let downs.
In full: This was my first 10k so these are a beginners impressions.

Positive first: Atmosphere was great, lots of friendly faces. Route was mostly pleasant though sometimes very crowded but the scenery was nice.

Negatives: The water station was a joke, a big disappointment when it's your first run and you've been looking forward to it for 5k. The last k was WAY more than a k which made the finish way harder than it should have been. And, it took an hour to get our of the car park at the end.

Anyway, moaning aside it was a lovely day and a good course for beginners, not really a pb course though.

Date of review: January 14, 2008

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