My Event Ratings

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

In short: great support, lovey weather, ok organisation
In full: My first marathon so it will always hold a special place with my. Being injured from the start, it was tough going, but the magnificent support helped my through. The weather was lovely and everyone running was really inspiring.

However, a few things that annoyed my a little. Having to collect race packs meant a hotel stay which increases cost substantially so if they did that next year I wouldn't do it again. The hotels know a lot of people are staying so charge extortionate amounts for a pokey little room (even though I booked in Jan). This isn't marathon organisers fault but it would have been better if they could have mailed them out.

I think there were plenty of water and fuelling stations and enough loos. The water pouches were really handy, much better than bottles.

Overall brilliant experience although I would only do it again if they sent the race packs out because otherwise it's just too expensive.
Date of review: April 15, 2013

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

In short: Friendly marshals great organisation and lovely scenery
In full: Despite the cold and windy conditions, this was a lovely race in what is a lovely part of the country. Judging by last years reviews they had a lot to improve on and I think they did. Everyone was really friendly as well. The goody bag was rubbish but there was a tshirt and medal so that's ok.
Date of review: March 11, 2013

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

In short: lovely scenery, poor organisation
In full: The actual race was nice; lovely scenery and the challenging hills I can't complain about. The organisation on the other hand was something else. Although the marshalls were really friendly there were letdowns. It really wasn't clear at the beginning were we were supposed to start, I heard people asking many times and many confused faces. Secondly, the distance markers were practically none existent so i ended up going about 3 miles further than what i needed (one of the marshalls had told me I had gone too far). Apparently at the drink station i carried on instead of making a right turn towards home. Oh well, I thought, all good practice for the Brighton Marathon. But then there was no goody bag at the end, which i use to top up my fuel when I finish (cereal bars etc). It was over £20 to enter so i did expect one.
I don't like making a fuss and being negative but i feel this is something i have to point out.
Date of review: February 27, 2013

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

In short: Average race
In full: To be honest, I've participated in better races. Yes there's a lot of cheering which is brilliant but the scenery was a bit dull and as for the price; waaaaay too much for an average 10 miler.
My sister did it for the first time this year and she also thought it wasn't anything overally special for the same reasons.
On a more personal note, I'm not interested in PBs and like off road hilly races, hence why I didn't give this one a particulary good score.

Date of review: October 29, 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		100%

In short: glorious scenery, tough hills, great support...AWESOME!!!
In full: There is no better way to experience the glorious Hampshire countryside than running in a race like this. I felt brilliant all through the race; the mud and hills made it tough but well worth it and the volunteers were amazing. Nice support running through the villages and a nice medal and goody bag at the end. Not for the faint hearted...which makes it even better :D
Date of review: October 7, 2012

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

In short: Fast, flat, lots of crowds and cheers
In full: I really enjoyed running my first Great South Run. Being from around the area I've wanted to do it for a while. It was lovely and flat so no horrible hills and even got a few personal cheers as the organisers had put our names on our bibs. Would love to do it again!

Maybe they could make it into a longer race, a half marathon would be great :)

Only one thing...they needed more water stations but other than that, parking and organisation was excellent.
Date of review: October 30, 2011

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

In full: This was my first half marathon and really enjoyed it. Lots of people giving it a true festival atmosphere. I can't complain about the actual race day at all, it was an amazing experience and hope to do it again.

There was only one thing that annoyed me though. When I filled the form out I put down a completion time of about 2 hours 15. However, they put me in the 'sub 1:40' colour band, which worried me at the start. Hopefully they'll get it right next time but I'm not too annoyed now as I managed to complete it in just under 2 hours....WOOP WOOP :)
Date of review: September 12, 2011

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

In short: hilly in places but very welcoming and good for a first race
In full: All abilities took part so it's really good for a first race. Wollaton Park's very scenic albeit a little hilly in places so you definitely get a good workout. Only a couple of hundred people and the atmosphere's really easy-going and relaxed, which is also great. In short, good little local event and would recommend for first-timers (like me).
Date of review: April 2, 2011

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