My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great ultra
In full: Nothing to add to other glowing reviews! Atmosphere outstanding, as is care for runners-very well organized.
Date of review: July 20, 2012

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

In short: Great ultra!
In full: Very good organisation (pre and post race), great atmosphere (other runners, marshals, helpers..), loved running along the Thames. Awesome first edition of this race, sure it'll be around for years to come
Date of review: March 19, 2012

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Overall score		20%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Well what can I say
In full: I accept that every new race will have teething problems and am easily pleased but what on earth was this race.
In no particular oder of importance: even if the organisers may say that the loos were campsite responsibility, how hard can it be to provide 50 extra rolls of toilet paper to cater for the increased footfall - lots of other races do that. Highly strung and extremely unrelaxed bib desk lady- don't mean to pick on individuals but first impressions count. Jelly babies at the start are nice but why not have at least a few out on the course - I know they said no food but that would have been appreciated I think. For a course that's advertised as picturesque etc. to run alongside the motorway for a few miles, disappointing - so much potential Marshals clearly non-runners, while some of them tried their best, most just sat there playing with their phones barely looking up - and it wasn't for lack of runners greeting them! As the race organiser chose not to put mile markers out (surely no big deal to organise, even with several different races going on!)and the marshals had not the faintest idea when asked, there wasn't really a way of knowing exact mileage. Biggest issue was the lack of water - how can you run out of water / cups. Incredible. Either make it a self -supported race or supply water - no in-betweens. Ran into massive crowds (finishers from other race) / cars after the first lap - a few marshals helping runners out by warning / crowd controlling would have been appreciated. Ran 20 meters past the turnoff to the finish, though not recognisable as such (yellow sign but no "finish") this was entirely my own fault - my responsibility to know the course. But: turned round and got screamed at (I'm not exaggerating) by a marshall "WHY DO YOU ALL HAVE YOUR NUMBERS OBSCURED?! Hadn't said anything / looked at him accusingly for not shepheding me towards the finish / in fact didn't look at him at all - completely uncalled for. My race number was neatly folded up and well recognisable on my shorts. What a joke of a race.
Date of review: March 12, 2012

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

In short: Great race!
In full: Very scenic course, though you probably won't run your PB here - pretty decent hills. Sure problems with goodie bags (who cares about these anyway) can be sorted next year. Medals ugly? Yes, but again, who cares. Long lines for the toilets? I think pretty unavoidable no matter how well you plan! Much more importantly, well staffed and organised aid stations and spectators / dogs / traffic kept in check. Overall, great race atmosphere in lovely surroundings. I'd do this one again!
Date of review: March 1, 2012

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

In short: Great race!
In full: This is a great race in nice surroundings - the laps are long enough / terrain varied enough to not get bored and mean that you can really concentrate on running hard rather than map reading. Above all though, it is very well organised,great support from the organisers throughout (and after!), and the atmosphere is simply amazing - felt like a family event despite strong numbers. I'd definitely recommend putting this on your calender for next year!
Date of review: August 16, 2011

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