My Event Ratings

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

In short: Fantastically organised pre-marathon run
In full: My 2nd time doing this run (and 2nd year we've had snow!) and it was even better than the 1st time. The course challenging but the friendly marshalls make this race. Their support is amazing and genuine and you can tell it is runners that have organised the race. Water stations great with the added extras of gels, jelly babies and chocolate. I really like that headphones are banned as it actually gives you the opportunity to speak to other runners and support one another. 2 South Africa men got me round today - they had me in stitches. Other than perhaps looking to moving the finish to somewhere less muddy, don't change a thing. This is a class race!
Date of review: March 17, 2013

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

In short: Snowy, slushy and surprisingly speedy.
In full: I really felt for the organisers of this race as they were in a no win situation. If the cancel people moan and if they don't people still moan!

This is the 3rd time I've done this race and there's always a buzz about it as it's the first NSRRA race.

Ok it was a bit slushy but it wasn't icy at all so I think the right decision was made. My race went well and amazingly I got a PB and beat last year's time by 50 seconds. I know lots of people who got PB's today so the conditions couldn't have been that bad.

I'll be back again next year, snow or no snow!!
Date of review: February 5, 2012

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

In short: A little gem
In full: I stumbled across this race on the RW and boy am I glad I did. I entered the 10K on the day but will definitely by back next year to camp and stay for the whole weekend. It was brilliantly organised, loads for the kids to do in safe environment and I got to meet Sally Gunnell which made my weekend. The race was challenging but the scenery was beautiful and although a PB was never on the cards I thoroughly enjoyed this race.

Top marks to the organisers. My only critism is that it should be publicised more!!

I'm still buzzing a day later. WELL DONE.
Date of review: July 24, 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		80%

In short: Consistently good :)
Date of review: November 27, 2010

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

In short: Birimingham - How could you get it so wrong??
In full: Minus Points:-
1. Despite getting to Bham at 6.30am all the roads were closed and it took us 45 minutes to find a parking space - not cheap at £12.50.
A friend who arrived at 8am got straight onto the NIA carpark - road now open!!!!!!!
2. Starting pens not marked clearly so slower runners at the beginning. No announcements and too many pedestrians with buggys going against the flow of people.
3. Course rather narrow in places.
4. The FINISH! I have NEVER seen such chaos!

Plus Points
1. Amazingly I got a PB by 7 minutes due to the largly flat course.
2. Nice goody bag (although Tshirts rather small).
3. Much improved route and fabulous local support.
4. Plenty of water stations.

Was thrilled to get a PB but the problems driving round Bham for 45 minutes at 6.30am in the morning unfortunately have spoiled what would have been a fabulous day. Have done this race 3 times and this was the worst organised. Not sure if I will be back!
Date of review: October 24, 2010

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

In short: It couldn't be as hot as last year could it?
In full: I ran this race, my 1st marathon, last year in the blistering heat when they ran out of water. I was disappointed in my time and was convinced I could do better. I will never be as hot again everyone kept saying. Well believe me it was!! On the plus side the water stations were much better and there was plenty for everyone. There appeared to be much more support this year too which was fabulous. I thought the later start was a bad idea as we were running in the mid-day sun. The matting at the end is terrible to run on when you can hardly lift your feet. Never found the shuttle buses! Took us 3 hours to get back to our hotel which took the shine off the day. Knocked 20 mins off last years time so that was a plus.

My thoughts go out to the family of the poor gentleman that died. All the gripes paled into insignificance when I heard this sad news.
Date of review: May 24, 2010

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

In short: Great challenge. Loved it.
In full: Having run my first marathon in Edinburgh just 2 weeks ago I was wondering why on earth I'd entered this! However it is my local race and the reviews last year were so good that I didn't want to miss out - and I'm glad I didn't. Yes I walked the 2 big hills but I did finish in 2.30 and was delighted. The spectators were fabulous. Thank you for the ice pops, drinks and the showers. The support was brill and the Potteries folk did us proud. Will definitely be back again.
Date of review: June 14, 2009

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

In short: Enjoyable but challenging
In full: I really enjoyed this race despite it being really cold and foggy. I'd been warned about the hills but was really pleased with my time. Christmas pudding ace. Hope to be back next year! :)
Date of review: November 29, 2008

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

In short: Great race but organisational issues but a slight dampener on it.
In full: Unfortunately we got stuck in traffic at the start (going 1 mile in an hour)and didn't get to the start until 5 mins beforehand.

The course was excellent and the support fantastic. This was only my 2nd half marathon (having done the GNR 3 weeks ago) and I loved every minute. The hills were challenging but I felt a great sense of achievement when I crossed the line.

My main grip of the day was the shuttle buses at the end. Because we had missed the baggage buses at the start due to the traffic delays we couldn't take warm clothing with us. The shuttle buses weren't clearly marked and when we did find them we had to wait 40 minutes. It was absolutely freezing. The shuttle buses allowed non runners on and sometimes their were families of 5 or 6 who had warm clothes. I think that there should be buses just for runners.

On the whole I really enjoyed the day and will definitely be back next year when I'm sure some of the teething problems will have been resolved.


Date of review: October 28, 2008

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