My Event Ratings

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

In short: Good organisation, good mix of runners and the weather was spot on
In full: Got a new pb so I am well chuffed - not bad for my 26th marathon! Good turn out, well run event, only question would be 'why dont they shorten the figure of 8 so you finish at the school?'
Date of review: January 23, 2011

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

In short: Local race, once again didn't let us down!
In full: Excellent run, well organised, good mix of runners over a challenging course - the locks were harder this year! It was very humid which made it tougher but still enjoyed it. Only criticism was the drinks guys at the top of the locks, they were all too busy talking to have any drinks ready which when coming through about 40 to 50th was frustrating and meant a long dry wait until the next station.
Date of review: June 6, 2010

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

In short: Excellent Race, great organisation, weather just too hot
In full: Great race ... although I stayed in Liverpool and had my car broken into the night before which scuppered all my plans, the race completely changed my mood. Definate pb potential but my mind wasn't in it for the first half (despite doing my best 7 miles ever). Weather drained my second half but there were more water stations than I have ever seen in a marathon, and it was bottled, and there were loads of energy drinks. Loved the grand stand finish too, and a fantastic goodie bag ... like what my kids use to get at birthday parties!
Date of review: June 6, 2010

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

In short: 2nd visit and it didn't disappoint (although the weather did)
In full: Ran this last year and the weather was great; differant story today - the first five miles up hill are pretty tough anyway but with road shoes and too much mud, and the the biting head wind and driving rain on top of the hill I really wished I hadn't bothered. The course is nicely balanced between road, track and grass and certainly more than 'undulating' in places but with so many walkers, you really feel part of something. My last half dozen marathons have been road races so to come back to off road was tougher than I had hoped but I still managed to knock 10 minutes off of last year, just missing the four hours on this one.
Great run and as a local, will be back next year.
Date of review: May 2, 2010

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

In short: Excellent race, worth getting up for
In full: Weather started cloudy and cold but warmed up, possibly too much. Parking near to the finish was excellent albeit expensive at £6. Good quick start as pre-day registration made it easier. Odd starting with the half runners which made it difficult to judge your pace - gave me the quickest forst 5k in a marathon yet though! More water stations than any other marathon but only water no goodies and only one energy drink. Great medal but only a banana and water at finish, no goody bag.
One final note was that I had to get a transfer place which was pretty painful and I only just got in - this was frustrating when only 844 of 1300 runners actually completed the race?
Date of review: April 25, 2010

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

In short: A fantastic first effort at organising a marathon, lots of other races should take heed!
In full: Excellent race with superb scenery and definate pb potential. The course was unusual in that there were loads of double backs/turning points but it meant you saw lots of other runners and alwasy felt good when you were running back seeing people behind you! I was a bit sceptical when I saw the 'school children' team of marshalls but they did a fantastic job, always smiling and willing you on - fantastic effort, thank you. Pretty good goody bags too.
I know the great weather makes things look good anyway but this was well worth the 2 hour drive from Wiltshire and I would recommend it to anyone - I certainly think that other race organisers should take notes on how to run a smooth and friendly race!
On a personal note, I wanted a sub 4 and did 3:50 so was well pleased!
Date of review: April 18, 2010

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

In short: Tough hills, not a pb course
In full: Good race, well organised and marshalled. Good parking, easy to register, good mix of club runners and fun runners - certainly enough to make an average runner look good!
Date of review: March 28, 2010

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

In short: Tough hills, great crowd, decent loos !
In full: Excellent race, well organised, very leisurely start, good to see decent loos without queueing. Walk to start was odd but again, good to have a relaxed chat with fellow runners. Hills were challenging and the main one, a nightmare! Was pretty warm so that made it a bit tougher too although great to have a sunny one. Last couple of miles were just too much for me today and I slipped over the 4 hour mark but was just pleased to finish after nearly continuing to my car at lap two!
Only disappointments were inadvertantly wiping my watch before recording my times and then dropping my paper weight on my stone floor - doh! Have asked Anne if I can buy a new one so fingers crossed!
Great race, thoroughly enjoyed.
Date of review: March 21, 2010

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

In short: Great day for a well organised race
In full: After following last years comments I was a bit hesitant about this one but there was nothing to worry about! The course was a bit dull because it was three loops but the marshalls, drinks stations, organisation, t-shirts and fab paper weight momento's were excellent. Well worth getting up early for.
Date of review: January 24, 2010

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

In short: Definately an ultra of two halves
In full: Excellent Race. Weather was terrible, driving rain, very cold wind and in places 4-6 inches of snow with 4- 6 inches of boggy mud underneath!
I started off well, and for the first time ever, was in the front bunch when they took the wrong route and came back to meet me! Got to c14 miles and had lost the group and because I was following them, not the map, I was completely lost! Waited 15 minutes for the next runner to put me back on track (Thanks TMR). Got to the canal in very good time (for me) but due to poor Xmas training, wilted quickly although I finished on target at under 9 hours(12mpm)
The organisation was excellent, the goodies, particularly at cp3 were brilliant and the cup of tea at the end was probably the best I have ever tasted! Great medals and t-shirts too - all in all, a great race, fantastic commaraderie and good value - a fantastic event.
Date of review: January 17, 2010

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