My Event Ratings

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

In short: Loved it!
In full: This was my first marathon and if they were all like this, I would definitely become addicted!

The best bit was the crowd. So enthusiastic in their support, they were obviously out to enjoy themselves too. They made the race for me.

There are a few inclines in the first half, but nothing too challenging really. Once you're past 11 miles, it's all downhill or flat. The section out by the power station isn't pleasant, but the stretches through Hove or the sea-front definitely make up for it.

Organisation was slick and efficient, can't fault it. If only this company could organise all the races in the UK, running would be much less hassle.

A couple of things on the downside tho; the race rules ban iPods but there were many people wearing headphones. If they're banned, they should stay banned. And with the race being in Brighton, you have to contend with the problems of Brighton - it's one of the most densely populated places in Europe, car parking is a nightmare and hotels are pricey and the staff rude.
Date of review: April 18, 2012

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

In short: Good race, well organised, slow in places, fast in others and proper pretty.
In full: Hilly, yes, but the downhills are great and very fast. Probably the prettiest race I've done. Well organised with lots if marshalls and fair local support. Weather was bad when I did it, but that can't be helped.

Goodie bag is minimal but my major gripe is the number of people wearing headphones, when they're expressly banned in this race. If they're banned, then runners wearing them should be disqualified.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: Perfectly acceptable
In full: My second time racing at Stanwick. Nice flat course (apart from one tiny incline around 2 mile). OK organisation, easy parking, good cheerful marshals. Can't fault it really.
Date of review: December 18, 2011

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

In short: Fast flat and scenic
In full: The park is ideal for racing on, wide enough paths and pretty much flat. The area is pretty enough to keep your attention. Reasonably well organised and a good crowd of supporters. I'm going back for the June 12 race too.
Date of review: April 24, 2011

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

In short: Hilly side of undulating.
In full: Described as undulating, but I would describe this is on the hilly side. Well organised, with lots of friendly marshals. The route isn't traffic free, but the marshals let you know when traffic is approaching, so I wouldn't recommend wearing a ipod. Nice atmosphere too. There's a steady climb from around 2k to 5k, with a fast down-hill at 7k and a killer hill at the end. Despite the climbs, I managed a PB.
Date of review: February 27, 2011

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

In short: Described as flat when it was anything but
In full: I chose this race because I wanted a flat race. My Garmin said the total elevation was 377 metres, not flat. The hill at 5k was steep and challenging and from then on it was a steady uphill until the last k (where there was an amazing but shouldn't have been there on a FLAT race). Also described as being on trails in parkland, well for some of it, yes, definitely less than half though. Underpasses and road bridges are not trails or parkland. Water station at 5k was a girl sat on a cool box, no indication that she wasn't just one of the marshalls. Goody bag was several flyers for Movember and a snickers bar, not great if you have a peanut allergy. Hated this race to be frank, I chose a flat race because racing up hills makes my asthma flare up. I feel the organisers should have been honest, especially considering the price. Very poor show.
Date of review: November 15, 2010

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

In short: Crowded, hilly and deeply frustrating
In full: I was told by some people this was a hilly course and others said it's a gradual up-hill gradiant. It's hilly, without question.

Like all big races, it had its fair share of people in fancy dress and people who didn't realise it's a running race and take to walking from about half a mile. Some great support at places but there were points in the race when it's dead quiet and not a little dull. Start and finish very well organised but the whole thing was let down by the hour-plus wait to get on the Metro at South Shields. With this being one of the most famous races in the calendar, I am pleased I did it, but the hills and the queues mean I'm unlikely to do it again.
Date of review: September 20, 2010

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

In short: Beautiful day but tough hill that you have to face twice
In full: Pretty route, with a quick field of serious runners, hardly any run-walkers. It's a course of laps and some of the k markers were missing. Also, this being a public park and a Sunday morning, there was the occaisional small child / dog who had strayed onto the route to navigate. Good marshalling and water station had bottles rather than cups.

Downside tho, there is a steep long hill and you run up it twice, the final time from 9k to almost the finish. Anyone that claims this is an 'incline' must train on Ben Nevis, (or actually in Greenwich Park), it's definitely a long steep hill that cuts pace and left back of the pack runners with no option but to walk. Although I got a new PB, I was off the time I expected.
Date of review: March 7, 2010

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

In short: Well organised, lots of runners, nice enough course
In full: The course is pretty enough, being a mix of roads and off-road. Part of the course goes through a residential area with people coming out to cheer us on, lots of home-made banners in evidence, a lovely touch. Large field and the slower runners were very slow, lots of walkers and run-walkers who killed the pace at the back, they seemed completely unaware people would want to pass them. The hill-plateau-hill section is a bit tough but the rest of the course is flatish and fast, my husband got a new PB and I was close to mine. Excellent organisation at the finish with water and bananas from Sainsburys. I'll be back next year and I'll won't start at the back.
Date of review: October 12, 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		60%

In short: Friendly, well organised
In full: I thoroughly enjoyed this race and achieved a new PB. I would have been even faster if I hadn't found myself behind the ambulance for a lot of the first five k. I missed the start started right at the back of the pack, but even after passing a few runners, the ambulance still insisted on overtaking me and therefore keeping my pace down.

Other than that, extremely well organised, friendly. The route is undulating, with a bit of a killer hill at six - seven K, tho the last K is downhill or flat and therefore very welcome indeed.

Despite starting at least three minutes behind the rest and being not at all fast at the best of times, there were at least 30 runners who finished after me. I would definitely recommend this to beginners.
Date of review: February 8, 2009

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