My Event Ratings

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

In short: Potential to be a great race, let down by poor organisation
In full: It's such a shame as Cardiff 10k has the potential to be a really great race but is let down by a few, easily fixed, problems:

There weren't enough toilets for the number of runners taking part resulting in long queues and people missing the start of the race

Despite the mention of time zones in the race booklet these weren't easily identifiable or enforced resulting in the usual suspects starting too near the front and walking within 2 minutes. Cardiff could take a leaf out of Bristol's book and have different colour bibs that allow you access into the right zone

There was no drinks station out on the course and no mention of this prior to the start of the race even though one was marked on the course map

The finish area was badly laid out with people milling around in all directions. Some sort of funnel system would be easy enough to implement to keep people moving in the right direction after the race and collect goody bags

The goody bags were hit and miss. A friend had 2 medals in theirs but some people had none.

On a personal note I was really disappointed with the fluorescent pink T-shirt I got and was even more disappointed when I realised other women had navy and red. It's a total waste of money including them if no one will wear them again because they're a rubbish colour, I'd rather pay a lower entrance fee. (I know that's a really girly complaint)

The organisers could also keep costs down by putting the T-shirts in the goody bag rather than posting them.

The results are still not on the website the following day, Bristol had theirs up the same day.

The positives are a lovely flat, scenic course with good PB potential and good support.

I would do this race again as it's my local race and I want to support it but it would be great to see it better organised and worth the relatively high entrance fee. If it's there's no improvement next year I would (reluctantly) be inclined to just do the Bristol and Swansea 10k's.


Date of review: September 12, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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 big race, really enjoyed.
In full: Thought the race was really well organised; good route, good bag storage, didn't have to queue too long for for the loo (if you picked the right queue) and the funnel system at the end was good as it kept you moving once over the finish line.

Expensive to enter but appreciated the good quality T-shirt and medal. Could have done with splitting the start up a bit more by expected finish time as it's quite a narrow course and even though I started in the right pen it was sometimes difficult to pass people who were running more slowly. Could affect the potential for a PB.

Would definitely do it again.
Date of review: May 17, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Much improved on last year
In full: Overall I thought this was a good race. The price is slightly steep although the route, medal and t-shirt were much improved on last year so at least have something to show for it.
Could do with expected finish time markers at the start to improve the congestion or move the start to somewhere wider.
The atmosphere at the finish on Westgage Street was brilliant.
Date of review: September 28, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Excellent race, well organised, nice goody bag
In full: Great race, well organised, this is my favourite 10k of the year. Good value for money and nice goody bag; good quality medal and t-shirt, and the fruit loaf topped it off!
Date of review: September 27, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great race, well organised, great atmosphere.
In full: Excellent course set in Cardiff Bay so great scenery. This was my first 10K and I absolutely loved it. The heat made it tough but two water stations and a shower crossing the barrage (put in by the organisors the day before when they realised how hot it was going to be) helped.

The goody bag was great. Nice t-shirt and nice medal but still thought it was quite pricey in comparison to other 10Ks I've done since.

Will definitely be back next year.
Date of review: October 5, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great race, good atmosphere, good value for money
In full: One of the best races I have done this year. The organisation was fine apart from the queue for the goody bags. Would have preferred to have T-shirt sent in the post or in the goody bag at the end of the race. Thought was excellent value for money given the T-shirt, goody bag and the nice medal, especially compared to some other races I've done this year.

Would definitely do again next year. Would prefer an earlier start time, maybe 11.00am as was quite hot in the sun.

Overall an excellent race.
Date of review: September 28, 2008

Report this rating to the moderator