My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great race, especially for the atmosphere
In full: This was my second Brighton, having done it last year. Once again, great atmosphere, brilliant crowds (very Brighton!) and generally a very well organised race (although I had to run 26.4 miles according to my Garmin). Managed to get a PB this year even though my training was severely restricted by injury, so I'm pleased. A bit more life along the Road to Hell this year (particularly on the way back) but as long as that area remains part of the course, it will always be problematic. All in all, great race, which I will do again sometime although probably not next year.
Date of review: April 18, 2012

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

In short: It's not brain surgery - a half marathon is 13.1 miles!
In full: This is the second time I've done this race and it's my most local hlaf, so i will probably give them another chance and do it again. But i have to agree with what everyone else has said: how difficult can it be to measure the course correctly - it's a fundamental duty of a race organiser. If you can't get that right then what's the point? To be out by almost half a mile? Come on! And I also must agree that for what you get this race is far too expensive. Last year there was a technical T-shirt and a plastic kit bag - so what happened this year? As usual in Brighton the atmosphere was fantastic, and the scenery is nice especially coming back down after the Marina turn, but I might just try Reading next year for my pre-marathon tune up!
Date of review: February 20, 2012

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

In short: Friendly, reasonably well organised urban race
In full: I thought this was a decent race actually. I was slightly dubious about doing a multi loop race but it was fine. PB possibility but I wasn't in good enough shape. A bit more work could be done on marking out a start line and having a proper prize giving ceremony (prizes were only offered to the first man and woman - nothing for 2nd & 3rd or age groups), but the organisers are not a running club, so I'd give them the benefit of doubt. I would do this again if it fits in with the rest of my schedule.
Date of review: August 25, 2010

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

In short: Beautiful riverside race, brilliant marshalls and lovely weather - enough said!
In full: Did this race for the first time last week. I must admit, it was my second choice as the race I wanted to do filled up earlier than expected, but I'm glad I did this. It's a relatively small race with only around 600 entries but the course on the banks of the Thames in Buckinghamshire is to die for. Added to that were the most enthusiastic marshalls ever, and a real family feel to it. Plus it's for a good cause - helping to provide clean drinking water for deprived communities in Africa - hence the excellent African drummers - a very pleasant departure from the usual banal dance music. Because of the grassy course and all the kissing gates I had thought it had little PB potential but was pleasantly surprised - although I was helped by a mad dash at the end. Brilliant and well organised race which I hope to be able to do again.
Date of review: May 14, 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		80%

In short: Nice, friendly race in a quiet location
In full: This was only my second 10k (I really should do more of them) and I absolutely enjoyed the race. There were probably less than 200 competitors so it had that intimate feel. The ravce started and finished in a rather bland office park but most of the course went through a nice golf course with some unpredicatable ups and downs and bendy bits. There was one tough-ish hill towards the end but nothing too scary. The course was well marshalled, and the race well organised with Chris from Purple Patch announcing everyone in. Very enjoyable bank holiday run which I will definitely do again
Date of review: April 7, 2010

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

In short: Decent local race, but too much rain and too few marshalls!
In full: This is a fairly local race to me, but it's the first time I've done it. It was friendly enough, with some good challenging undulations, but the torrential rain and below par organisation didn't help. There just weren't enough marshalls on what were busy suburban roads and some drivers behaved idiotically. But in fairness the rain was heavy and persistent and made everything more difficult. The start could have been better and I really didn't appreciate having to wade through a huge puddle to get from the track to the car park. I do think the race would benefit from a decent chip timed start. All in all not a bad race, but I won't be rushing back next year!
Date of review: March 1, 2010

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

In short: Challenging, hilly race, but well organised, except for the start
In full: This is my first time doing this race, and I must admit it's probably the hilliest I've done (although I've only been running for 18 months). It was very tiring but quite useful as a training run for longer races (I live in a very flat area).

The race was generally well organised and blessed with an abundance of friendly and encouraging marshalls, making up for the relative lack of spectators. However, the start was a bit confusing and I lost a few seconds through not understanding that it was a gun start only rather than going over a mat as is the case in many other races. This should have been explained.

Apart from that a hard, challenging but friendly race that I would definitely consider doing again.
Date of review: January 24, 2010

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

In short: Challenging course but great race, achieved my PB
In full: This is my 2nd year running this race. It was my first ever race last year, and I struggled with the hills. However, I am now a stronger and more confident runner and was able to enjoy the mildly challenging course. I knocked 8 minutes off last year's time and achieved my PB. Organisation was good as usual and it's still the only race I've run that has hot showers, gives rugby shirts as against t-shirts and provides bacon butties! However I agree with one of the previous commentators that handing out the chips on the day was problematic. I hardly had time to warm up afterwards. That aside I'll definitely be back next year.
Date of review: December 16, 2009

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

In short: Brilliant race for a first timer
In full: This was my first ever race of any sort so it would always be special anyway, but I really did enjoy it. Execellent organisation and facilities, friendly competitors and encouraging marshalls. I found the main hill a real struggle as all my training had been in flat South Essex and central London, but once I survived that I was OK. I look forward to beating my time of 1:52:27 next year.
Date of review: December 24, 2008

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