My Event Ratings

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

In short: One race everyone should enter.
In full: The summary says it all, you have to give this race a go. It has everything, wonderful organisation, friendly people, the wonderful views of lakeland, closed roads and the inspirational 10-in-10ers.

My only tip to the first timers (as I was in 2011) is listen to the other posters/training guides and hold something back for the final inclines. I got carried away at halfway and at mile 20 I was reduced to a shuffling obstacle to the other runners!! Steer clear of the pitfalls and this will be the perfect race.
Date of review: January 3, 2012

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

In short: Fast, flat and foggy
In full: This is a fast race and almost guarantees you a PB. There's something about running with so many quicker runners that pulls you along - and there are a lot of fast runers in this one.

The weather was ideal, slight chill, totally still day and the fog meant that we didn't have to look at the industrial outlets along Kirkstall Rd. It's not a pretty course but its a great way to sign off the end of the year as it has a good lively atmosphere and is very well organised.

Well done and thank-you to all the organisers and marshalls.
Date of review: December 14, 2011

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

In short: A nice, scenic and fast race.
In full: Great race, very well organised and with the potential to be very quick. This is a flat course (with very minor undulations) and with only one tight corner and a small enough field to avoid getting crowded out it offers great potential for the PB hunters.

Although flat the scenery is still good, taking in some nice North Yorkshire farmland and the start and finish are set up by a picturesque village Green, complete with duckpond and a cracking pub for dinner afterwards.

I'll definitely be back next year.
Date of review: September 5, 2011

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

In short: Enjoyable race with a novel start/finish location, great crowds at the halfway point and a good route through the city centre.
In full: I enjoyed this run, with the highlights being the finish in the stadium, the massed crowds between mile 6 and 8, a nice route through the city centre and the kids handing out jelly beans and wanting to high-5 every runner.

A couple of minor downsides. The exit from the stadium is too narrow, as are some of the underpasses and pavement sections, which slows things down a bit. I also thought the first water stations were struggling, probably due to higher numbers of athletes taking an early drink on a hot day. Still grateful that they took the the time to volunteer their time to help make the day a success.

A nice T-shirt, kit bag and medal plus the significant on street marshalling and barriering justified the entry fee.

All in all I'm glad I opted for this over Leeds.
Date of review: May 9, 2011

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

In short: Well organised event on a fast course with lots of potential for beginners
In full: Nice, fast, and relatively flat course starting and finishing on the magnificent Great Pulteney St. Running through Georgian squares, across the Kennet & Avon canal and taking in some wide straight suburban roads I thoroughly enjoyed this race.

Great spectator support with most of the route lined with people cheering, playing music or generally having a great time. Nice to see so many residents cheering from their gardens and windows, makes you feel very welcome in their city.

Well done to all the organisers and helpers, for some very smooth event management. Bag storage, start and finish areas (including goody bags, chip removal, water) and all marshalling was done brilliantly.
Date of review: March 7, 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		80%

In short: Nice fast rolling course with a final up hill push at the end
Date of review: January 31, 2011

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

In short: Well organised and reasonably testing run
In full: Well done and thank you to Barnsley AC for a well organised and marshalled run.

The rolling course made its way through Yorkshire farmland, making for a pleasant if unspectacular course. Having heard tales of the hills at the end and being prepared for them in my pacing I found myself undone early on by the incline around the 1 mile mark, coming into it too quickly from the fast start and paying later on with a slower than anticipated time.

I guess the ups and downs balance out so with better hill training and sensible pacing this could have been reasonably quick.

Overall a good race and worth the trip.
Date of review: November 15, 2010

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

In short: The perfect Sunday morning race
In full: A small, friendly race that I enjoyed immensely. Thanks in no small part to great organisation and support from Barton & District AC.

A rolling course, on a clear sunny November morning - absolutely ideal. Despite the roads not being closed to traffic it seemed to me to be traffic free.

A bit of a trek from York but worth the journey. Nice to get a coloured T-shirt for a change, and fairy cakes on the drinks table at the end were a bonus!!
Date of review: November 8, 2010

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

In short: A must do race for anyone that enjoys beautiful surroundings and a friendly atmosphere
In full: One of my favourite races, so I was hugely disapointed to pick up an injury at mile 6. Despite that it's a race you have to finish, irrespective of time, just to make sure you take in all the scenery and atmosphere along the way and enjoy all the support from fellow runners, marshalls and friendly spectators.

Great T-shirt and goodie bag.

Can't wait until next year - thank you to all at Nidd Valley Road Runners.
Date of review: November 2, 2010

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

In short: A fast, pancake flat course with huge PB potential
In full: Really enjoyed yesterday's race. A clear and sunny (albeit blustery) day, coupled with a route that runs along narrow roads, criss-crossing the flat farmland of North Yorkshire made for a fast and thrilling race.

Despite being a small race in a sparsely populated area it was nice to still see small groups of supporters on the sidelines and there was plenty of encouragement from the marshals.
Date of review: October 25, 2010

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