My Event Ratings

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

In short: Superb Organisation, loads of support, loads of marshals and plenty of water.
In full: Great Race - not the most picturesque, but no less interesting than the GSR. Like the GSR not one for bad weather, so glad the 2011 Race was run in good weather.
The organisation was superb. The PB potential is high. All in all a really great run. Nice Goody bag & medal, but particularly like the reduced entrance fee with the option of buying different types/styles of t-shirts with runners' names on the back.
Date of review: November 20, 2011

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

In short: PB potential marred by organisation of starting waves
In full: There is great scope for a PB here; however this is marred by the organisation of the starting waves. I understand that to have all competitors, who for example want to do it in 1:20, starting at the same time will produce a continuing massive plug of runners as they go round the course together. That being said I started in the first wave and was confronted by people walking at the first mile marker, and I reached them having had to weave through slow joggers.
The claim that this is the fastest 10-mile course is undoubtedly right for the elite runners, but I'd like to see Komon starting in the middle/back of a wave.
Why not have the usual timing markers within the waves - fairer all round?
Date of review: October 31, 2011

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

In short: A learning curve for Basingstoke organisers I suspect.
In full: Much has been said about the lack of water stations in the heat; the comments are right, and the organisers ought to have amended their plans and added in an extra water station. Although the weather cannot be guaranteed the very unseasonal weather was not unexpected, it been forecast for days: runners are dependent on the siting of water stations through the course by the organisers - we can't pick and choose where we get a water station - but they can choose where we can get water.
I'm pretty fit and started well-hydrated, nevertheless I had to walk for a few stretches after mile 11 even though it was downhill, by then thirsty, hot and struggling. I was not alone, there were plenty doing the same yet we were around the 100th finisher.
The villages and villagers were fantastic and very supportive, loved the impromptu showers. Seeing the ambulances parked every 3 miles was reassuring/frightening in equal measure.
Can I also echo that the finish was really very odd, a 90 degree turn with yards to go: it was as if the course had been incorrectly measured. Why not a good straight down the hill in the park to the finishing line?
What is it with goody-bags, personally I put these on a par with childrens' party bags - I'd rather do without with slightly reduced entry fee. I did like the opportunity to buy (so an option) the t-shirt, but do we really need space blankets and more water bottles? By all means a medal and bananas, but there really is no need, to my mind, for extras.
I will do this again, it just needs a few tweaks.
Date of review: October 3, 2011

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

In short: Well organised, very enjoyable and welcoming.
Date of review: October 2, 2011

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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's a great race - one year they'll get the weather though.
In full: This is a super race, very enjoyable with crowds cheering all the way (save down the final 2 miles, as they have more sense than to brave the sea front). This is the killer stretch, a west bound run straight into the prevailing westerly wind (and for the past years rain).
I've heard complaints about parking - well Portsmouth is an island and there are only two real routes on and off by road, so with 19,000 plus runners it's going to get busy. The parking nearest the start is surrounded by the race route - but all entrants are warned about this. All entrants are encouraged to park away from the course; it's advice worth heeding.
My one gripe is that the non-elite starting waves do not seem to be based on estimated finishing times: so anyone looking for a PB does have to get round the fun runners and the costumed. Either that or many entrants have vastly inflated their abilities.
Date of review: November 6, 2008

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

In short: A great day out for the family but somewhat tough going.
In full: This is not a flat race. Undulating is probably the best word so unlikely to get a PB. Crowds and Course Officials very encouraging.
Date of review: April 27, 2008

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: A note of caution for the family (don't bring dogs, small children or children at all)
In full: Yes the organisation was a shambles. I relaise much has already been said about the pre-race and post-race farce.
May I add getting back quite early on didn't make an difference wahtsoever, and so whilst I'm not going to whinge about missing out on a t-shirt (you get plenty anyway don't you?) it is still a shame, and adds to the sense of being let down.
Can I add however a word of caution for the family:
(i) so far as we could see, pre-race literature made no reference of the fact that dogs are NOT welcome. Whilst that might not be a particular problem in fine weather it was a problem in the wet. We were not alone in arriving at the Runner's Village to be turned away; it can make meeting after the event somewhat problematical and most certainly did not help with the race being postponed by an hour.
(ii) My wife waited in Great Pultney Street to see me finish but it then took her 30 minutes to move 100 yards. She was horrified at the press and very concerned for children in buggies.
Yes I quite accept that many consider that races are for the runners, but some families like to support. Not one for them I'm, afraid.
The supporters out on the circuit should be thanked for their encouragement. A special race but for all the wrong reasons.
Date of review: March 18, 2008

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