My Event Ratings

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

In short: Hoping there are lessons learned for 2013
In full: Will start with the positives:
The crowds watching were simply brilliant. To have the hideous weather, each of them deserved a medal!
Water stations (staffed by local running clubs and organisations I think) were brilliant, plenty of encouragement along the way
Having a marathon in my hometown is great, saves having to travel, stay over etc.
Marshalls out on the route - again. Deserve medals for dealing with the conditions - huge thanks due

The things to do better next time:
Route - Dunham Park was a nightmare, I walk my dog there, it's never dry, not a place for events like this. Also, an underpass? Really? Who the hell thought that idea up? If you can't close the road for long enough, find another route!!!
Baggage - all said before, I was lucky, found mine by sheer fluke. Ended up helping others find theirs. An email apology has been sent but this is unforgivable.
Shelter - Given the weather forecast, rain was going to happen plus as I run from Longford Park every week, it's been soggy underfoot for months. More should have been done

Overall - being 'well insulated' in build (ahem) I coped with the cold ok, but there were some truly worrying sights of people shivering and falling ill on the course. Whilst some people really need to think about what they wear to run in (5c with rain and strong winds is NOT the day for shorts and vests - take responsibility), the organisation really did leave a lot to be desired. That said I think Manchester deserves a marathon. The weather was truly hideous but not a lot can be done about that. Here's hoping the team read these reviews, make improvements for 2013 and give our city an event to be proud of next year.
Date of review: April 30, 2012

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:

In short: Brilliant....once it's over!
In full: Some of the hills are tough, and as you plumet down the hill at 5 miles, you're just thinking, what goes down, has to come back up again. Some really challenging parts but well worth the effort. Marshalls excellent and friendly. One of those races that makes you think, "wow, I'm glad I did that" (although only AFTER the finish line - quite the opposite on the way round!)
Date of review: February 13, 2012

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		40%

In short: It was a blast...not quite in a good way though!
In full: This could have been a fantastic event but for the weather creating a gruelling, sand blasting 5 miles after the crossing was abandoned. Being diverted back to the start but not really knowing it, then having to spend over an hour on the coach back to where the car was whilst covered in sand with no water, was not good. Know it's not the organisers fault but you can't help thinking that the race should never have started in the first place. Would think about doing it next year but will keep a close eye on the weather forecast before committing myself.
Date of review: August 11, 2008

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