My Event Ratings

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

In short: Excellent race, brilliant marshalling!
In full: Really good event. The marshalling was the best I've seen - exceptionally friendly and encouraging and they handled road crossings etc fantastically.
Lovely route on quiet country roads, and on the whole it was about as flat as it gets.
I was towards the back of the field, which thinned out especially on the 2nd lap - but with the great marshalling I never felt behind or left out.
There was plenty of water stations at good intervals offering a choice of water or energy drink, and jelly babies in a couple of places.
This one is good timing for a spring marathon - with a relatively small field it is a good opportunity to get a long run in on an organised route with water stops etc. without things being too crowded.
Date of review: March 10, 2011

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

In short: Great fun and definitely recommended!
In full: Great fun and well worth doing! I'd never run with a headtorch before, I don't often run away from pavements, and I'd never run in a homemade spider fancy dress costume before - so it was all a bit new which added to the fun!
The course was pretty muddy and slippery in places, which didn't bother me, the only problem was that I got caught up a few times where people came to a halt to negotiate particularly slippery areas or big puddles - I would've just run straight through! However this is not a reflection on the organisation or the marshalling which were both brilliant.
The drumming band was amazing and really fun, as was 'ghost alley' and the whole thing was well organised. Value was good when you take into account the chip to chip timing, the pumpkin soup and a shiny new mug to bring home!
I'm not sure night time off-road running is something I'd do reguarly, but as something different for now and again it was really really good fun and I'd do this one again.
Date of review: November 3, 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 unique run!
In full: Really enjoyed the day again - I keep saying it would be easier just to go for a day out at the Zoo without the running(!), but I can't help but want to run again each year as it's the only time I'd really get to do a unique run like this.
The entry sounds pricey for a 10k, but with the zoo entry included it's actually good value. Really nice medal and enjoyed the goody bag!
Organisation was really good and the marshalls were really good again and all very encouraging. As others have said Chip timing would be a nice addition but I guess adds quite a cost - and seeing as all the profits go to the charity I'm happy to miss out on a chip time for this race if it means the money that it would have cost goes to the charity instead.
I hope to be back again!
Date of review: June 7, 2010

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

In short: Really well organised as usual, a good size field with a nice mix of ability - a race made for everyone!
In full: Great organisation - even though there were no road closures the road crossings were organised really smoothly so there was no stopping for the runners.
A good race for all abilities, it always feels really welcoming and fun, and I'd recommend for those newer to running who want a first taste of racing.
This was my 3rd year and I'll be back again!
Date of review: May 18, 2010

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

In short: Great race, great setting and just a lot of fun!
In full: Great to spot the animals on the way round, and there's no need to worry if you don't like laps - as I predicted / hoped before the race (and if you're lucky on the day!) the animals will move around a bit and make each lap seem different!
Really well organised with the marshalls were nice and encouraging, and good to have an advance warning sign for the water station.
Good value if you factor in the included Zoo entry which was a great day out afterwards.
Bananas at the finish were a pleasant touch to finish off with, as I collected a really nice medal.
My favourite race ever!
Date of review: June 8, 2009

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

In short: Well organised, great marshalls, drinks stations and spectators. Brilliant medal and a t-shirt too
In full: Tough last 5 miles - not really enough of an incline to notice, but enough to take it out of your legs!
Enjoyable up to half way and then it was hard - but some of that was me being inexperienced as it was my first half marathon.
Big hill at the start was over before I knew it really - steep and challenging but not nearly as bad as I had thought it would be - is good to have it at the start as I just got swept along with the crowd really!
Date of review: July 21, 2008

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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		100%

In short: Great for a beginner, really encouraging marshalls and spectators, and well organised
Date of review: May 20, 2008

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