My Event Ratings

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

In short: Sociable and fast
In full: This is a good event, fast course and sociable before during and after the race.
The only criticism I have is about the finish line. I crossed what I thought was the finish line, because it had large flags either side of the path saying 'FINISH', when in fact the actual finish line was 10 - 15 metres further on. That mistake cost me 3rd place lady.
I saw a couple of other runners make that mistake too.
Date of review: November 27, 2012

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

In short: I ran it in 2009 to pace a friend to a PB, and I ran it this year just because I needed a qualifying time for my Comrades entry. The laps were tedious. Nothing special for me.
Date of review: January 25, 2010

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

In short: I ran the ultra and cannot fault it. I hope it becomes a permanent fixture in the race calendar!
Date of review: May 11, 2009

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

In short: It could be a nice race if they learn from their mistakes of the last two years.
In full: The mile/km markers were of absolutely no use at all.
The wrist bands didn't work, and were not easy to remove while running.
Thank you to the marshals who were efficient where they were placed, but there were other places where they were needed also.
Putting on a race can be a thankless task sometimes but if there are issues with race results I for one would prefer organisers to say that the results will be available the next day, and get them accurate, rather than try to do them on the day and get them completely wrong.
For me it was just a 26.2 mile training run rather than a target race but for others these issues could have really spoiled the race that they had spent a long time training for.
Date of review: January 26, 2009

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

In short: A lovely race, very well organised and extremely well marshalled
Date of review: June 9, 2008

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

In short: nice race, course a tad short though
In full: Great to run a fast half marathon on good surface and away from traffic
My Garmin had the course at 12.88 miles, others had 12.9 and 12.92 so the course was definitely a little short...so if you get a PB it's debateable if you count it or not ;)
Date of review: March 2, 2008

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

In short: Great race, but to capacity I think
In full: Nice course, first half a little undulating, second half flat which gives PB opportunities if you take the first half steady.

Marshals were great, very efficient and helpful.

Water bottles handed out on the course were of a more economical size, much better than the usual size of which most is usually wasted.

The support around the course was fantastic.

Now the negatives... some parts of the course were a bit narrow, forcing you to slow right down almost to walking. I don't think this race could take any more runners, it would just be too crowded.

You had the option of paying £1 extra for a framed lace panel, which I did and am very pleased with because I have so many medals and it was something different. But it was supposed to be either panel or medal I believe and some runners were taking both, which meant that they'd run out of both for the later marathoners (and half marathoners I believe too). Going home without something to show for your achievement is not nice.

I enjoyed the race immensly though and took 10 minutes off my marathon PB :)
Date of review: September 12, 2005

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

In short: As Ultra go this is one of the best IMHO
In full: This was a great event...everything was thought of from well stocked and frequent drink stations, very helpful marshals, good back-up support at the lap start/finish area with plenty of free food as well as drink, plus a back-up car constantly cruising the course with cups of ice!

8 x 6.5(ish) mile laps meant we were never far from base and there was the option of pulling out after 30 or 40 miles and still receive a medal.

The full distance of 52.4 miles was as tough as it sounds but having completed it, the sense of achievement and recognition from the organisers was well worth the blood, sweat and tears!
Date of review: July 18, 2005

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

In short: I went there for old times sake and came away with a PB!
In full: I ran the first ever Mansfield Half and went back on it's 25th Anniversary this year to have another look. It was so heartening to see how this race has grown and matured into something quite special.

Race HQ was easy to find, there was plenty of free parking, there were loads of keen young runners ready to take part in the fun run and there was a real friendly atmosphere.

The course has changed over the years and was a lot less tough than it was in '81, but still quite challenging.

There were plenty of happy smiling marshals, lots of water and good support around the course.

At the end we got a goody bag, T shirt, mug and commemorative 25th Anniversary photo.

The post-race facilities were excellent with the use of the leisure centre showers.

And to top it off I had a great race and took over 4 minutes off my previous (2 year old) PB, finishing in 1.42.28 :)
Date of review: July 5, 2005

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

In short: A really enjoyable race!
In full: Slight course change from when I did it last in 2003, which is an improvement.
Yes there are hills...well, more like undulations really...but then I have run Dartmoor with real hills! But the ups are quite short and the down bits compensate, so you don't really need to struggle in this course.

Running 2 laps between Torquay and Paignton on the same side of the road as those in front/behind you is actually quite fun, especially if you have club mates or friends in the race too, because you get to see them a few times.

I'll definitely do this one again.
Date of review: June 27, 2005

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