My Event Ratings

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

In short: Lovely stuff
In full: Random observations: Great organisation, including updates on conditions in the days before the race; marshalls and spectators excellent in freezing conditions; don't know about that tshirt; don't know how I got a PB; amusing that the first person I saw wearing an ipod was from Wilmslow RC, who organise the race and include the rule to not wear an ipod.
Date of review: March 25, 2013

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

In short: Muddy
In full: Can't do much about the weather and after a few days rain it was almost inevitable that the off road sections would be a slog.
Was towards the front so no problems keeping out of the way of others but can imagine the quagmire bits weren't much fun wherever you were in the field.
Organisation was great and Tatton Park is often a pleasure to run around but a lot of this run was spent trying to stay upright. Having done the Tatton Half late last year I'm unsure why we couldn't have stayed on the roads within the park a bit more for this.
Date of review: March 17, 2013

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

In short: Good new event
In full: Could've done with an on-time start given the cold but that's the only minor gripe about what this new half marathon, starting and finishing in what was a very autumnal Tatton Park.
Slight ups and downs along the course but nothing too tricky. A few issues with cars struggling to overtake but again nothing major.
Support along the way was great from marshalls and spectators particularly within the park.
T-shirt was a welcome surprise. Hope to be back next year.
Date of review: November 5, 2012

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

In short: Very good
In full: I often run in Richmond Park and the opportunity to take part in the first ever marathon there was too good to miss.
The organisation was spot-on, with marshals and drinks stations in the right places, medals and a decent t-shirt at the finish.
The course itself was, as expected, challenging in places, with two particularly tough hills that had to be negotiated three times each.
The overall atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and for anyone who has never been to Richmond Park, the scenery makes a great backdrop to any run.
I personally hope that this event happens again, though it'd be a pity if it ended up with huge amounts of runners or very difficult to get a place in. Not sure what the answer to that is, as, in short, this event comes highly recommended.
Well done to all involved with setting it up and making it happen.
Date of review: May 15, 2011

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

In short: Good event, recommended
In full: It was hot, there were hills and there was great support. I started off too fast and paid for it later but ultimately this is an event that caters for all standards.
If there was one piece of advice I could give ~(apart from doing the first half too quickly in hot conditions) it would be to get the train to the start if possible. This was a no-stress option and meant a very relaxed journey and walk over to Preston Park.
The loo queues were long but if you're a bloke then the urinal queue mmoved very quickly.
The start went like clockwork, there were plenty of water stations and, as mentioned, the support was excellent.
As far as the now almost famous Shoreham section is concerned, you've just got to live with it and take it as part of the challenge of running a marathon in my opinion. It nearly finished me but can also make you more determined to get through the last tough bit of this race.
All in all, this is a great alternative to London and should be considered a great achievement for organisers who are only into their second year.
Date of review: April 12, 2011

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

In short: Sunday morning well spent
In full: This is my local race but I'd only done it once before, in 2009. The same issues were present today - congestion along the less scenic part of the route from Hampton Court round back to Kingston. Lots of people having to swerve into the cycle lane on the road to get past other runners. Seems a bit of a mish-mash of racers -those doing just one lap and those doing two.
That's the only criticism of this event however and not sure there's an answer to it short of fiddling with the timings or having everyone do the same distance.
Overall this is a scenic (at least for 50% of the route) run, very flat, well organised event.

Date of review: March 27, 2011

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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: Can't really fault this
In full: My third year running the Royal Parks and I can't fault it. Once again the crowds were out, the marshalls were encouraging and helpful, the organisation before, during and after was great, the scenery was excellent and I got a PB.
It's getting increasingly difficult to enter this race and you can see why. I'll be trying to get a place next year and would recommend this to anyone.
Date of review: October 10, 2010

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

In short: Couldn't fault this
In full: No problems whatsoever with this Bank Holiday Monday jaunt through London. The wave start was an excellent idea - didn't trip over anybody - and the course was never too congested, though starting near the front may have had something to do with that.
Good atmosphere along the way, apart from maybe the middle section in the deserted City.
First time at this event, was prompted to do it by the farcical British 10K last year. Reasonably similar route to that one but streets ahead in terms of organisation. Highly recommended whatever your level.

Date of review: May 31, 2010

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

In short: Even better than last year
In full: No problems at all with the pens, everything ran like clockwork, smashed the PB and went home happy. A really good day and hope it'll be a third RPHM for me next year.
Date of review: October 11, 2009

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