My Event Ratings

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

In short: Just enjoy yourself!
In full: This was my 4th half marathon and you know what? It was excellent. I run because I find it fun, I don't get runners who treat runs like fine wines, picking fault in ridiculous things. The other runners were excellent, everyone was having a right laugh, it was a really good atmosphere. Yes Blackpool is tacky but it's pretty clean, and I personally think the organisers did a great job. Imagine how hard it must be to convince Blackpool council to close a road that is key to the town's tourism? It must cost them a fair bit of money in my opinion. I really really hope they continue this run because it was great. The naysayers were a minority and were probably keen to get back to their model trainsets. The runners I witnessed on Sunday were a good bunch, having a laugh doing what they love, rather than scutinising for the sake of Hornby.

On a seperate note, I hope the man who collapsed in front of me was ok. I got to the medics as quickly as I could and I hope they sorted you out :)

Dan
Date of review: April 6, 2009

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Best race I've ever done
In full: This wasn't just the best race I've done this year, it was one of the highlights of my entire year!

From the moment I got out of my car and put on my wizard outfit, I knew this was a special one, as I heard bagpipes in the distance and saw a caveman, a ninja and a man on a horse walk past me.

A few notes:

The atmosphere was amazing! The best I've ever known. There were even hikers on the top cheering on the runners.

It's the only race I've ever done where it's not actually possible to run the entire way round. There was one section which was like a causeway up the side of a rock, you had to stop to hoist yourself up to the next level.

It's possibly the most deadly race I've ever run. At one point up in the roaches there's a muddy path, and you're about 2 feet away from a huge sheer drop. No fences or anything. Also, the rocks at the top were so slippery, if someone had fell and really hurt themselves, it would have been very tricky helping them quickly.

I'm not saying this race is hilly, but it's the only time I've ever banged my head on the moon.

We got socks for finishing! Socks! Not only is that brilliant, but they're also the greatest socks of all time! They're really warm, and I can slide right across my living room on them! I spent about 20 minutes sliding from one side of the laminate to the other, until I fell over the paper rack and stopped.

Seriously though, best race ever. I had such a good morning. The views were breathtaking, the fancy dress was brilliant, the other runners were brilliant (I, a wizard was helped to my feet by a Santa Claus when I fell over. Where else would you find that?)

Thanks everyone involved, because it's made my day, nay my year!

Dan
Date of review: December 21, 2008

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

In short: Not a bad race at all
In full: I ran the FF10 today for the first time and it was a nice race. I struggled a bit, though the course wasn't particularly challenging. I think it was just a training issue. There probably should have been two water stations, but the water was really nice. I'd pay for that kind of water. It might have just been tap water, but if that's the case it came from the nicest tap in the nicest house owned by the most lovely people, who probably have a grandson named Morgan. Lovely lovely water.

There weren't any safety pins at the registration place, that might have irked some folk.

Apparently a few people fell over whilst running today. I hope they're ok. It was prey slippy in places.

The hill in the middle is a shock to the system. Pretty steep indeed.

Overall though, I'd do it again and would recommend it to other runners.

My time - 1:23-ish (my target was 1:20, so I'm a tad disappointed)

All the best

Dan
Date of review: November 2, 2008

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

In short: Suprisingly quick half marathon
In full: I only decided to run this race a couple of weeks ago, and didn't have much time to train. I'd only done one half marathon before (Leek) and there are some parts of that race which are vertical (ish) .
This one was suprisingly fast! The first hill in the middle of town is quite long and quite hard work toward the top but after that it's mostly flat.
The marshalls weren't very supportive, but they did their job (I actually noticed an American marshall, who certainly added a sense of occasion, I felt like I was in a film...about running through country lanes...cheered on by cows...there's one for the box office) and the course was marked very well (they even had signs for sponges, where on earth do you buy a sign that says sponges? there can't be much of a demand. Maybe I'll buy one and put it in my bathroom )
The "sting in the tail" which reveals itself like a bad guy in the final scene of a gritty action film at the 12 mile point, destroyed my legs. I managed to run up it (around 250 meters) but after that my legs felt like jelly. Thankfully after that it's just a short flat path to the finish.
Disappointed I couldn't buy a spare t-shirt afterwards but I did it in 1:48:33, which is almost 7 minutes better than my only only half marathon time so far.
There were a lot of puddles knocking about but it was raining so that explains that. I quite enjoyed splashing around in them anyway, as it cooled my feet.
Also, some of the houses on the course are really posh. I saw one Aston Martin and loads of Jags in people's drives, so this race would also appeal to people who like cars.
Good race. I'll be back next year!
Date of review: October 5, 2008

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

In short: Very well organised with brilliant marshalls
In full: This is a pretty easy course, with only one major hill ( 300 meters-ish ) just after half way. The marshalls were brilliant. The shirt was good value for money and the goodie bag was also above par. Really good event. PB for me ( nearly 4 minutes better than my previous PB )Suitable for beginners. Dan :)
Date of review: September 8, 2008

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