My Event Ratings

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

In short: My first and, hopefully, not my last -a great day out
In full: I was fortunate to be invited to join the TV Times team running for Leukaemia and Lymphoma research ("The Banana Army") so got to experience the day as a 'VIP'. A coach to the start and the hospitality tent at the end certainly make bookends of the day more agreeable, but the run was more challenging that I'd expected.

I'd run Hastings in 1'40" this Spring, and thought the GNR looked a lot less steep (at least on the elevation maps). Maybe so, but it seemed to roll - up and down, up and down, all the way to South Shields. I ran the second half seven minutes slower than the first, which speaks for itself.

Still managed to get a PB of 1:37:56 - and a great chat with Sonia O'Sullivan.

The VIP treatment was nice, but 13 miles is 13 miles - I'm proud to have done it and hope to return.
Date of review: September 21, 2010

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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: A great challenge, well organised and friendly.
In full: Last year, Hastings was my first ever race and I came it at 2.15, wheezing with asthma. A year on, with the FLM and two more halfs under my belt, I came back to give Queensway what for.

Delighted to report that I came in with a PB at 1:40:27!The speed work at Clapham Runners must be paying off, because I felt like I had an extra gear and stayed in it, chewing up that hill and bouncing down the other side.

Thank you, Hastings, for the terrific organisation again and for helping me slay a dragon. And well done to everyone who finished.

A particular thank you to the British Red Cross. My running mate passed out ten yards before the finish and they looked after him brilliantly. They even got his number swiped and collected a medal for him. Fred and Sue, you're angels!
Date of review: March 22, 2010

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

In short: Well organised and friendly. And smashed my PB!
In full: I was nervous of the 'undulating' route and was resigned to nibbling at my PB but ended up taking 14 minutes off it, so thank you, Bedford! Encouraging marshalls and friendly organisers, together with a useful shirt make it a keeper. Well done on organising the buses, BTW.
Date of review: December 13, 2009

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

In short: Up and down the seafront four times...
In full: ....but well organised. Sponges most welcome on a hot June day. Rail link close to start and a friendly, if modest crowd. Rossi's ice cream a definite bonus.
Date of review: June 15, 2009

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