My Event Ratings

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

In short: I loved it
In full: On road, off road, trails, grass and mud. Up hill, down hill, then back up again. Cattle grids, some cattle (mostly sheep). Brilliant! - this is what running is about. Forget the PB, admire the scenary and feel proud to finish a challenging marathon.
Yes - the mile markers were out, but as long as the finish line is 26.2 miles from the start line then I'm happy. I never trust markers anyway and since I never carry any with me when I'm training I'm used to relying on 1970's satellites.
The marshals and support staff were superb with lots of encouragement - as well as the pot banging locals!
If you want a challenging marathon then give this one a go.
Date of review: November 9, 2010

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

In short: Magnificent Mars Munching Mablethorpe
In full: The only reason I run is so I can eat more chocolate, so to find a mars bar in the goody bag after 26 miles was the icing on the cake (chocolate of course).
The organisation was first rate with lots of marshals giving great support. Nice finish with foil jacketty thing and nice medal and t-shirt.
Like others I found the mile markers about 1/4 mile out - especially from about mile 9, but had a sneaky suspicion that it would be clawed back in the last mile or so. Mentioned this to another runner who insisted the markers were correct - I just guess we were using different satellites.
Ran a PB so was delighted and will definitely be back next year with a few more miles under the belt.
Date of review: October 6, 2010

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

In short: Great race, organisation and competitors
In full: This was my first ultra but what made it achievable was the superb atmosphere and attitude of Keith and his gang and all the competitors.
The race consisted of 7 x 10 mile laps around the estate. At the end of each lap there was always plenty of food and drinks available - especially the lovely stew at the end of lap 5 which kept me going.
If you're considering an ultra I would seriously recommend this one - go on you know you can do it!
Date of review: July 26, 2010

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

In short: Cracking course but the starter was a bit off
In full: This was a cracking race other than a few minor problems at the start. Chips in the post or don't bother with them and tannoy facing the runners (volume up to 11 please mr speaker) and it will be sorted for next year.
The course definitely has PB potential, and the free snacks and shoe trophy were a nice touch.
Only 1 Michael Winner star this year but will be back next year to try again.

Date of review: April 14, 2010

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

In short: I really love your tiger feet
In full: Excuse my french but that was bloomin hard work!.

The organisation and marshalls were excellent - lots of support, free massage and free hot drink at the end, and getting in and out of the car park was a doddle.

The roads sections are superb - nice scenic straight roads with PB potential. The viking way was the toughie though - I know why we're not all speaking Danish now - it must have been raining when the longboats landed. It definitely makes getting to the finish line a lot more satisfying.

I shall be back next year in the glorious 25 degrees sunshine with bigger and more colourful balls

Date of review: March 1, 2010

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

In short: Herds of wilderbeest sweeping majestically across the plain
In full: Ok, maybe not - but there was a wild herd of chickens (quick ones too!) and the lincolnshire countryside is pretty majestic.

I'd recommend this to anyone going for their first marathon as the conditions under foot were a lot gentler on the knees than road running, and there was plenty of checkpoints to stop and have a drink (and some flapjack near the end).

The large yellow markers were an excellent addition from last year, but the big difference was the increase in the number of walkers/runners taking part. This meant that wherever you were on the course there was always somebody else nearby - last year I was alone and confused.

Organisation - excellent, Marshals - first rate, Ruskington Flapjack Queen (or King) - thanks for getting me to the finish (chocolate flapjacks next year and I might crack 4 hours).
Date of review: October 21, 2009

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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: Superb all round
In full: I thought this was a superbly planned and managed race. It was nice to be able to run a 10K without worrying about parked cars in the way - or having to negotiate road tricky junctions.
This was an up and down along the promenade with not a donkey in sight (I think he got shooed before the start :). There were an abundance of marshals everywhere along the course all offering encouragement. The course is definitely PB potential - on the day there was a strong headwind on the way back that slowed everyone up.

Throw in a nice t-shirt and goody bag, cheap entry fee, free parking, and free photos to download and pin to the wall. Everyone at Mablethorpe Running Club, and all others involved on the day, should be proud of what was achieved, and other race organisers should take note of how to do it.

Marvellous!
Date of review: September 19, 2009

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

In short: Hooray - Summer's Here!
In full: You can always rely on the Newark Half Marathon. It doesn't matter if we're in the middle of a monsoon or the beginning of a new ice age you just know that on Newark half marathon Sunday it's going to be a scorcher.
I thought the organisation was excellent with plenty of water stops (8) along the course and great encouragement from the marshalls.
I can understand peoples frustration that the water on offer wasn't bottled and specially flown in from the Icelandic Fjords (with the added PB busting minerals) but I prefer tap water from a cup (eee by gum!) and a cheaper race fee.
Yes - the start was a bit congested. I was at the back with the gorilla and the chap with a miniature steeple on his head (hope the vicar paid you!) and it took a few minutes to actually get running.
The only solution would seem to be chip timing, the use of cranes, or get half the runners to start from the finish and run the course backwards.
Roll on next year's race and at least 1 hot day in 2010.
Date of review: August 13, 2009

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

In short: Lucky I didn't bring my elephant
In full: This was a very nice race but it was a bit like sardines at the start. It's fine for shuffling zombies like me but anyone with aspirations for a quick time would struggle to get past during the first mile.
After the first mile it opens out and it's a very pleasant run. The marshall and organisers were first rate.
The race is chipped, so next year I think I'll have a nice cup of tea for 10 minutes at the start so by the time I catch the backmarkers the field will be spread out.

Date of review: June 13, 2009

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

In short: A challenging and enjoyable race
In full: As a countryside born lad (where's my pitchfork Jethro!) I much prefer to run along country lanes and tracks than through city centres. So this half marathon was ideal for me.
The Viking Way was tough - what with all the travelling, pillaging and the locals firing arrows at you. The roads were undulating and a few hills here and there got the heart pumping a bit more.
The marshalls were superb (they live at number 16 by the way and do a mean Sunday roast). Seriously though I thought it was superbly organised and many thanks to all the organisers and volunteers.
Well done on finishing Bronwyn - and yes I managed to sneak in just under 2 hours - next year I'm going for the win :)

Date of review: February 23, 2009

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