Latest Ratings
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2012 Norfolk Coastal Ultra 30 and 60
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic organisation and support, ultra flat.
In full: My first ultra over 65K so this looked an 'easy' 100K one to do.
The first section to CP1 was fairly fast with a nice drop from the start and along the beach.
To CP2 where I met some of the marathon runners on their return leg.
From then on didn't see anyone until I got to Wells (CP3) and was informed I was 5th which was amazing. I felt I was going well but never ever thought I'd be this high up the field.
The ladies on this station were very supportive and helpful.
I moshed on along Well's beach which was tough as there was a headwind. A wrong turn exiting the beach and talking the long route cost me a couple of places.
At the next checkpoint I pressed on and about 3K to half way I saw the lead running come back on the return leg which helped boost my confidence as I knew he must only be about 6K ahead.
Unfortunately I lost a couple of places here.
At the halfway I stocked up and made the return journey.
About 5K on the way back I met the 'peloton' and knew I must be about 10K ahead of the bulk of the field.
Pressing on and back to Well's beach, the tide had gone out and there was hard sand to run on.
Passing through Wells checkpoint and at 80K my Garmin gave up but I hadn't.
At the penultimate checkpoint I lost a couple of places but pushed on to the last checkpoint.
At the last one the Sun was just setting and the view across the coast was beautiful.
Time to get the headtorch on and back along the shingle.
Unfortunately a stealthy runner without a headtorch caught me just as I was exiting the beach.
The last 3K up back through the forest was amazing, glow lights in the trees, nobody around and a fantastic clear evening.
All in all a faultlessly organised event.
Many thanks to the team on the stations, they really couldn't do enough for you. They were very helpful, supportive and genuinely the best I've ever come across.
The course was absolutely flat as a pancake except for the last 2 or 3K.
Would recommend it as an introduction to a 100K race.
Date of review: October 15, 2012
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2011 Larking Gowen City of Norwich Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Toughest easy race ever!
In full: This is the toughest easy half marathon ever! The course is flat except for a long slight incline but you can barrel down the descent. The thing that made it tough was the wind.
I still managed to finish only 1 minute off my PB at 1:32:44 though.
I've done a few halfs and this is the first one where the top half of me hurt more than the bottom.
I can see what other people meant about the drinks. I didn't bother getting one as the wind made it cool enough and it looked more trouble than it was worth (I feel sorry for the helpers who had to run across fields collecting cups).
Agreed with another comment - there should be something for the family to do whilst they're waiting the 40 minutes each lap. We travelled 170 miles to come so wanted something else to do.
All in though, it was very well organised, good marshalls and slick in/out with the car parking.
Nice medal and goody bag.
I'll be back...
Date of review: November 28, 2011
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2011 Congleton Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: The way races should be
In full: This is how races should be.
Really enjoyed it, fantastic marshalling and organisation. Great course, quite challenging and I managed to knock 10 mins off my 2010 time.
The goody bag is the best I've had with a cuddly teddy bear and a snood both being quickly claimed by my two kids.
The organisers have done a cracking job with all credit due, this is the way to do a race.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 High Peak Challenge 40
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Extremely Tough
In full: The furthest I'd ever raced was half marathon and they're flat as a pancake compared to this.
So this was quite a challenge!
For me the course was brutally hard but there were some good flat bits in the second half.
Got chatting to some runners on route and they helped me through it.
Marshall's were fantastic and very supportive. The markers were good except in a few key places were I went the wrong way.
This was my first race over ½ marathon and just managed to finish under 8 hours.
Date of review: September 18, 2011
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2011 Alderley Edge 5
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fantastc Race
In full: This is the first time I've done the Wizard and it's a fantastic race. Really good course, tough and challenging.
Fantastic marshalling - cannot fault them, they directed well and gave good encouragement (thanks - really apprecated!).
Look forward to next years.
Date of review: July 22, 2011
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2011 Burtonwood 5 Mile Road Race
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Double laps of non-scenic
In full: Organisation and marshals very good. The course is poor - two laps of a town with cars raring past, not the most inviting of places.
No medal, goody bag or even a burger which for entry on the day at £7 is steep.
Date of review: July 22, 2011
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2011 Shell Four Villages Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great start to the Year!
In full: This is the first time I've done this race and glad I did. Didn't really know what to expect, was informed that it was fairly hilly from about mile 8 onwards but it wasn't too bad.
Managed to shave 2 1/2 mins off my PB which was good and get within a couple of minutes of the ellusive 1h30.
Really good to have the support out in the sticks, many thanks to the supporters, their support really does make a difference.
I noticed that there was a 2,000 limit but only 1,634 started the race. Due to the popularity and over subscribing, it's a little unfair to those who want to race but couldn't because of people booking places but not turning up. Can the organisers sort anything for 2012?
Date of review: January 24, 2011
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2010 Congleton Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic!
In full: First time for Congleton, done a few halves before but this is now in the top 3. Some nice inclines and flats.
Absolutely the best weather you could have had for mid October. Just like the Cloud 9!
Apologies to those running near me as I let out a few expletives - I'd busted my left knee and was really struggling. Only 2 mins off my PB!
Only negative is that we were all over the road and it was sometimes tricky with traffic. Marshalls should have been on these bits.
Defo do again.
Date of review: October 10, 2010
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2010 Experian Robin Hood Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Expensive but worth it.
In full: This is the second time I've done this race and found it alot harder than last year. I'd forgotten how hilly it actually was although somehow managed to take 7 mins off my previous time and finish in a new PB of 1:35.
Great atmosphere from the locals cheering everyone on - it really does help.
Great organisation and well marshalled.
It is expensive but you can see this with the facilities and coverage. I can take my family and they have something to do whilst I'm pegging it around.
Date of review: September 13, 2010
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2010 Cloud Nine Hill Race
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Now my fave race!
In full: Did Chester, Potters and Nottingham half marathons last year and thought I'd try a new race.
Absolutely loved it, really really tough and a cracking challenge. Being born and bred in Congleton I am very familiar with the cloud and often walked up it, but running up it - that is something very different.
Fantastic scenary and it was a beautiful crisp Winter's day which made it even better.
At only £5 it's a bargain - you get what you pay for with no money wasted on trinkets and baubles that you don't come to run for.
Organisers and Marshalls very helpful and friendly even for newbies like myself.
Oh yeah, if you do do this course next year - trail shoes are a must. I made the mistake of wearing my road shoes and spent too much time and energy slipping about in the mud.
Don't miss it - you'll miss one of the best running experiences of the year.
Date of review: June 14, 2010
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