My Event Ratings

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

In short: My first marathon and I loved it!
In full: This really is a must-do race, despite the "challenging" second half! Organisation was great and the Wee Nessie children's race was a nice touch - daughter very pleased with her medal and t-shirt. It's an early start for a 10am race, with the bus to the start taking nearly an hour and a half, but luckily not too much waiting around a very cold, wet and windy start area. First half seemed to fly by, with plenty of downhills and only one uphill of any note, but the second half was tough, with a hill which seemed to go on for ever, then finally levelled out only to be replaced by another!

Once in Inverness, it seemed a long way to the Ness Bridge (though it really wasn't), especially when I could hear people finishing on the other side of the river...The last 100m to the finish seemed almost unbearable, but I made it with a big smile on my face and emerged into the muddy quagmire of Bught Park feeling very tired, very emotional and very happy.

Fab support from spectators at various points along the route, with a special mention for the guy playing Scottish music from his car parked by a five bar gate.

No major organisational problems at all, maybe the showers could have been more clearly signposted and I didn't have the post-race meal so can't comment on that, all in all a fantastic day and I will definitely be back next year.
Date of review: October 6, 2010

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

In short: Freezing conditions, but a great race otherwise
In full: Snow and ice are always going to be a risk in Aberdeen in December, but I suppose you can't hold the organisers responsible for the weather! Although the conditions underfoot but paid to several people's PB hopes, I've nonetheless rated this highly for PB potential, as it is a nice flat run over a scenic lap and a half of the beachfront, which in non-icy conditions could quite possibly have seen several new PBs. (I got one, actually, but as it was my first 10k it doesn't exactly count...) A small field (of well muffled-up runners) participated, perhaps not surprisingly given the time of year and the adverse weather, but organisation was smooth, and I even won a spot prize, so thanks for that!

In summary, a good and beginner-friendly race which was unfortunately marred only by the weather.
Date of review: December 21, 2009

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

In short: Measurement was dodgy, but a nice route through the park.
Date of review: October 11, 2009

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

In short: Very large but well organised race - slow to start due to number of entrants, not all starting in right place.
Date of review: June 21, 2009

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