Latest Ratings
| 1 to 10 of 17 ratings | Page: 1 2 |
2009 EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon - 'The Race Against Climate Change'
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great event for Brummies and scope to make its mark nationally and internationally. Pity local trains don't get going a bit earlier.
In full: Starting 60 mins after the women and 30 mins after the men in the IAAF World Championship Half Marathon being held in Birmingham for 2009, and run over mostly the same route, added to the occasion and meant there was a blue line to follow.
Numbers in the mass race were up on last year, and organisation was good. The start in central Birmingham meant more runners could use public transport and avoid the traffic problems that led to the delayed start in 2008 at the Alexander Stadium. Results were up on the website by the evening of race day.
Definitely a potential PB course, with a downhill start, then mostly flat apart from a noticeable 30m rise mid-way and a 40m climb in the last mile. Nice out and back route taking in Cannon Hill Park and Edgbaston, with start and finish adjacent to Centenary Square.
Date of review: October 14, 2009
|
2008 Maidenhead Easter 10
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Flat and fast but quite exposed. Good for spectators.
In full: Others have commented on the 15 min delayed start, but I've experienced much worse, including a half-mara where we didn't even know precisely where the start was and ended up setting off in a 'mutiny'. Here the delay was very clearly announced. Water at the finish a good recommendation - luckily it wasn't hot this year.
Date of review: March 28, 2008
|
2007 Race the Train
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Unique and the Main Race is definitely challenging.
In full: 4th time I've run it, twice in blazing sun and twice in rain and mud. Does that say it all? Delighted to have persuaded 8 others from my club to run this year (mostly faster than me). We'll be back!
Date of review: August 21, 2007
|
2007 Arden 9
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: This race gets more popular each year - with good reason
In full: Well done again Hampton Tennis - organisers, marshals, cooks and all. Great race that's really getting on the map with Midland clubs, but still got room for all paces - and a nice BBQ afterwards. Looking forward to next year already!
Date of review: June 22, 2007
|
2007 Dorridge Fun Run 8
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Real family fun, but still scope to have a fast run.
In full: A proper 'fun run' and lots of families on bikes to pass on the way. I only caught up with the pushchair brigade at around the 6M mark! Plenty of friendly marshals and special thanks to the one who told me my race position near the end. But no timekeeper??? So not really a race? It seems the first three home were asked what their own watches said! But still a good outing - oh and mustn't forget the encouragement from the lovely cheerleaders.
Date of review: June 9, 2007
|
2007 Vision Express Stafford 20
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Excellent prep for spring marathon.
In full: Well organised and good marshalling - thanks. Rather too long for slower runners to reach the first water station on that longer first lap.
Date of review: March 11, 2007
|
2006 St Neots Riverside Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Really neat, nice course and superb organisation.
In full: Website, race entry and results service definitely set the standards for others to follow. Enjoyed the figure of eight and with a good map and contour profile provided I knew what was coming. Worth taking seriously.
Date of review: November 20, 2006
|
2006 Cardiff Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fast and friendly. Great for supporters and spectators. Highly satisfied customer.
In full: The race fully met expectations and enabled me to demolish the PBs I'd struggled to achieve in the congestion of London (although FLM has a great atmosphere, don't get me wrong). Would like to see the Cardiff mara grow and become a major fixture in the international calendar: it's certainly got the makings, but the start with a half-mara on the same day could do with a fresh approach.
Date of review: October 17, 2006
|
2006 Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Second time round confirms this is my No.1 favourite race from 1 mile to marathon run in the last 4 years.
In full: Breathtaking scenery. Almost a purpose-built half marathon circuit round the lake. Definite PB potential (and outcome, twice in my case). Excellent support and organisation from the marshals, drinks stations, the Olympians and all. Even if it was 25 degrees in the car park field, I'm sure it was a couple of degrees cooler beside the reservoir, and the course is after all more than 50% shaded by the trees. Great race!
Date of review: September 11, 2006
|
2006 Tywyn Race the Train 14.3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Really memorable event in great setting. Hope to bring a team next year. Well done Rotary, the Talyllyn and the volunteers from the whole Dysynni area.
In full: There's plenty of other comment about the weather and conditions under foot. After two previous times in this race when sunscreen was the main essential, it was good to experience something different. But for spectators and organisers it would be nice to see something more like summer return next year.
Date of review: August 21, 2006
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
