My Event Ratings

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

In short: Scenic running, wonderful crowds, great organisation
In full: A great race. I loved it.
Beautiful scenery- fields or rapeseed, sheep and lambs, blue sky and clouds, what more could you ask for? Maybe a few less hills! But with other runners and spectators egging you on, the hills don't seem so bad after all :-).
The organisation is fantastic, the marshals do a great job.
In short, faultless. If you pick only one marathon next year, I would recommend this one. Just make sure there is a place left for me please :-)
Date of review: May 12, 2013

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

In short: I do like to be beside the seaside...
In full: A well-organised and well-marshalled race along the flat seafront of Southend-on-Sea. As always, the sun shone and the crowds came out in force to cheer you on. What I like best about this race is the route, you run the seafront bit twice, so that your supporters get 4 chances to cheer (and 2 chances at handing out lucozade!!). Also it evens out your sunburn so you don't just get sunburnt on one side!!!
Joking aside, it is magnificently well organised, and there are road closures on all but a tiny stretch of the route as well. Thanks again for a great race. Can't wait for the full marathon as well next year. :-)
Date of review: June 10, 2012

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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		100%

In short: friendly, well-organised and scenic
In full: The attention to detail is wonderful in this race. I particularly love being able to bring your own drinks which they deliver to drinks stations of your choice on the route (they provide water and orange squash as well). You also get to choose your size t-shirt at the end. The route is marshalled by bike riders who clear up the rubbish, gee you up if you're flagging and check all is running well.
As for the scenery, it runs through country lanes so you are treated to cocks crowing, horses and lambs in fields to distract you whilst you run. Admittedly on the second lap I was needing distraction... this course is what I would call undulating, a bit hilly in places but don't let that put you off. If you are looking for a first marathon this is great. Plus the medal is really nice too.
Thanks Halstead Road Runners for another great race.
Date of review: May 14, 2012

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

In short: Feel like a star!
In full: If you've never run a race before..
At mile 24
Your legs will be sore
But the crowd will roar
And your spirit will sore.
Though you find it hard
You'll make those final yards
And over the line
In a fantastic time.
Being cheered on all the way
You feel like a star for the day!
Wear your medal on the bus
And everyone will make a fuss.
Not always great for pace,
But definitely the best race.
:-) Love it!
ps
dress up as a cat
and you'll get wolf-whistled at ;-)

Date of review: April 24, 2012

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

In short: Very well organised, great atmosphere
In full: This race was extremely well-organised, the results (including splits) were posted almost immediately. It is also very generous: water, hot chocolate, tea, coffee and the famous fruit cake were free to all competitors, as well as a t-shirt.
There are a couple of improvements on last year: a medal for all half marathon finishers and bigger wrist bands to collect for each completed lap.
The main thing that makes this day, however, is the warm spirit and the friendliness of everyone involved.
The downside to this event were those cruel hills, least said about them the better. I soon forgot about them after tea and cake.
Date of review: October 30, 2011

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

In short: oh I do like to run beside the sea-side...
In full: Lovely and flat, alongside the seafront so it gives a fantastic view of the sea. Great for spectators, who could see runners four times! Great support, organised by a local charity who do a great job. No goody bag but everyone gets a medal and everyone (even the slowest runners) get fabulous support from the crowd. Very easy to get to by bus, train or car, too.
I recommend this to first-time runners. treat yourself to a Rossi ice-cream at the end!!
Date of review: June 13, 2011

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

In short: Friendly race with lovely views
In full: Although small, this race has great facilities including a cafe with indoor toilets and seating, great for a cold morning! Free massages are given, and the goody bag is generous. The race itself has lovely views, although there are a couple of nasty hills, the end if the race is downhill, which is lovely.
Date of review: October 25, 2010

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

In short: Beautiful scenery, cruel hills!
In full: A well-organised race, small, very welcoming and relaxed. Lots of 3.5km laps with water and jelly babies every time you pass go! Undulating hills were the only hitch, but the scenery made it worth-while. I'd certainly do it again next year, although it seems that only competitors who finish the full marathon get a medal. :-)

Date of review: October 25, 2010

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

In short: Great comeraderie, terrible weather
In full: First of all, thanks to the Marshalls for doing such a great job in such terrible weather, not easy considering the size of puddles we were trying to avoid.
Fairly flat so would probably be good PB potential, scenery a bit dull though.
Good facilities: lovely warm changing rooms with indoor toilets (no portaloos!) and a clubhouse too. People friendly so would probably do again to see if the sun brightens up the course next year.

Date of review: February 28, 2010

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

In short: Fantastic atmosphere!
In full: A great run, well organised along a route taking in the sights! Excellent organisation, everything has been thought of.
Quite pricey, but free lovely t-shirt, finishing time is txt to you within a couple of hours of finishing, and drinks provided free on-route and at end.
Not great for PB since too crowded although route is flat.
Date of review: October 14, 2009

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