My Event Ratings

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

In short: Disappointing experience, didn't meet billing.
In full: I don't like to be negative, but i was left really disappointed with this event. It was billed as a festival of running and has moved start/finish area into the centre of Milton Keynes. I turned up early expecting to find a few things going on, maybe a bit of a 'festival', but nothing i could find. On a positive, its a nice course, fairly flat and mostly traffic free. The finish was poor though, once you'd dodged all the spectators pushing forward, it was a very short run into a finish round the back of an industrial unit, to be rewarded by a medal still in its wrapping and a bottle of water...for the entry price i was expecting atleast a banana and a few leaflets in a bag!

This is far from a 'festival' of running, its just a few races done as cheaply as possible. Massive thanks to the marshalls who had to endure terrible weather, organisers need to try harder!
Date of review: March 28, 2012

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

In short: If there is one City in the UK that does big events well, its Brighton. Great race, great atmosphere, loved it.
In full: Brighton is so used to holding these big events, that this marathon must be a walk in the park for them (excuse the pun!).
We got to the park and ride early and had no trouble parking and jumping straight onto a bus. Arrived at Preston Park about an hour before the start to find no queues for the toilets and plenty of time to take in the pre-race atmosphere and grab a cup of tea. The warm up was a bit lame, but the coloured pens were well organised and the race seemed to start fairly quickly.
I liked the course, a good mix of town running to get the support, plus some empty countryside stretches, to enjoy the spectacular views and hear your heart beat (before heading back into the packed seafront).
Finish was really well done, water, bags, banana's, t-shirts were all in plentiful stock and great to be able to pick up at several locations through the finish area. Same finish area used for the London-Brighton bike ride, so they know what their doing.
Disappointed with my time, but only cos i busted my knee early on, which isn't down to the organisers. The amazing support along the route got me round and i was delighted to complete my first marathon. Would def come back to Brighton again.
Date of review: April 11, 2011

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: So pleased i've done this race, but now that box is ticked, i doubt i'll be back. A must do once only race!
In full: I found the organisation very good, route was clearly marked and start/finish area had plenty of space and things to do. Thought there was a lack of marshalls around the course, especially given the chance of twisted ankles and hypathermia! Goody bag was nice and full, although t-shirt is a bit cheap. Can't get over how cold the event was, but to be expected given the time of year. Wish i hadn't put my hands in the water, never been so cold in all my life, took the shine of the event for me unfortuantly (but it does have Hell in the title, so im trying to not complain).
Date of review: November 27, 2010

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

In short: Very well organised race.
In full: Mixture of road, gravel, grass and mud makes for a good challenge. Nice flat course, with good scenic views all the way round. Very nice start and finish area. Will be back again.
Date of review: May 9, 2010

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

In short: Well organised and very friendly event. Wonderful route.
In full: Everything you'd expect from a Santa fun run, really great atmosphere. Really smooth organisation and some nice touches. Not one for the serious runner, due to a couple of different routes and no clock, but thats why its a FUN RUN! Loved it.
Date of review: December 13, 2009

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

In short: Very nicely organised race, would do again.
In full: Really enjoyed this race, not least cos i got my PB. No problems at the start, plenty of room. Loads of water stations and the marshalls were so friendly and encouraging all the way round. The goodie bag was one of the best i've had, full of everything you want and nothing you don't! Only grumble, would be the dull airfield sections. Overall, really nice race, would def do again.
Date of review: November 15, 2009

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

In short: Everything you'd expect from a big race.
In full: I love this race because its in my town, and really shows Portsmouth at its best. Such a great route. Would really recommend this to beginners, because the atmosphere and distance are perfect. My complaints would be the price, way too expensive for the distance, also, the waves don't appear to be a complete match of abilities. I spent upto 5 miles trying to overtake endless slower people in front of me. Would do again, although might claim a faster predicted finish time.
Date of review: October 25, 2009

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

In short: Nice race, but not much more than an organised training run
In full: All in aid of a good cause, so can't complain too much. Very nice scenic race along the seafront. Main complaint would be lack of timing, not even a clock at the finish! Also had to run in and out of the usual crowds on the seafront, but it was car free for most of the route. Would do again, if only to support the RNLI.
Date of review: October 5, 2009

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

In short: Nice scenary, long up hils, great race
In full: Really nice scenary, although 70% of this race being up hill came as a rude awakening. The scenary was soon forgotten as the hills kicked in! Nice mix of people and levels. Only complaint was the start, started ok, but quickly back to a walk as the streets narrowed and street furniture approached.
Date of review: August 31, 2009

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

In short: Nice course, good opportunity for PB, no crowd but always plenty of runners around you. Enjoyed it, apart from the wind!
Date of review: March 9, 2009

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