My Event Ratings

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

In short: Well organised and a challenging course.
In full: Having completed other 'adventure style' races like this (TG) I was new to the Hellrunner events but have left feeling VERY impressed. A reasonable entry fee and decent course which was extremely well marked and marshalled. The only change I'd make to the course is for mile markers to be put into position.

I will probably look at completing another Hellrunner race or two next year.
Date of review: November 28, 2010

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

In short: VERY well run race, but busy.
In full: This was my second 'great run' and I have completed other events. By miles this was the best run race with administration being superb and the support from the people of Manchester being brilliant.

However it is a fairly tight course on city streets and I spent much of the run bumping into people. Also people in 'slower' waves joined the faster waves and as a result I saw people falling as they suddenly got boxed in by runners unable to keep with the pace. Marshals should have been stopping them joining the wrong wave. However, it didn't spoil the race and I will def be there next year.
Date of review: May 18, 2009

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: A good race but could have been better!
In full: Having completed 2 previous ‘Tough Guy’ Events I was looking for to this year’s ‘race’ as the weather promised to make it that much more of a challenge. I was not led down.

The ‘run’ has varied in length over recent years and now appears to be in the region of 8 miles but significant obstacles are encountered within the first mile. Hence to describe it as a cross country run is an understatement. Plan to get wet (very wet) within the first mile and you will be fine, however there is a decent period of running later which warmed everyone up to such an extent hats and gloves were thrown to the side by some front runners who clearly felt the weather was turning in their favour (big mistake).

The assault course remains pretty much as it has for the last couple of years but the water obstacles really took it out of me due to the cold. My one real bug bear here is marshals were directly a lot of competitors around the water obstacles and then letting them rejoin the race further run the course, hence getting a huge advantage and collecting a much prized ‘tough guy’ medal without doing the hard stuff. I might be being a bit harsh here but I thought the whole point was to complete the course, if you didn’t through injury or ‘weakness’ then you went home with some amazing memories and a determination to return and only your race number on your head to show off your efforts.

Admin at the end was a bit chaotic with not enough hot tea available and the free drinks which had been provided by ‘For Goodness Shakes’ had been left out prior to the race and taken by people who didn’t need them (I saw spectators and kids drinking them!).

Car parking is a bit manic, esp at the end and we waited a good 45 mins in the car to get off the field on the way home. More exit routes and maybe even a bit of traffic control might not go amiss.

However, it is a truly unique event – if you have never tried it then I would strongly recommend you have a go, but complete the whole course because you and your medal will know the truth otherwise!

Training tips:
Hill reps (there are 8 cheeky and v steep 75 m gradients)
Core Fitness.
A sense of humour (get used to running when wet, muddy and cold).

Date of review: February 3, 2009

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

In short: Cracking race - shame about the weather.
In full: This was the first 'proper' race I had taken part in and it was superb. The weather was awful so the wife and kids went to the Aquarium which was v v close to the start line. However the streets were lined with spectators / supporters and it was a superb atmosphere (1:22.44 time for the record).
Date of review: October 26, 2008

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

In short: Mental but great atmpsophere
In full: First race I had ever entered after seeing a DVD of it. Loved it, it got me into running more seriously and I have already entered two more since!
Date of review: July 6, 2008

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