My Event Ratings

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

In short: A virgin no more
In full: First time at Hastings and loved it! Knew about the hills and wasn't looking to do more than see what happened re timing.....would suggest newcomers do the same - after 2 miles I thought I was acing it, then the long climb to the ridge began, and when it was over I found the man at the top with the sign 'the worst is over' - be warned, he LIES! Some cheeky short ascents are around until about mile 9, after which its all down and then home along the front. Fantastic weather [forgot me lotion so the bonce is burnished] matched to fantastic support, loved it loved it loved it. Proper organisation, and unlike Brighton it felt like it was about the runners first, and not the money! Good organisation, as it ought to be. Love the brass commemorative, I've already added a ribbon and its proudly on my wall. See you next year Hasting!
Date of review: March 25, 2012

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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 day, lovely race
In full: The weather was kind, the marshalls were plentiful and smiling, lots of water stations, cheeky incline as always at the end - loved it. Well organised and more people should run this one.
Date of review: February 28, 2012

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

In short: Credit crunch service for top dollar cost
In full: Hmmm, beautiful weather and I love running in Brighton but the start was lacking in atmosphere, amateur PA. I think they're really trying to milk it without outting in the organisational effort/investment. I booked so long ago that I forgot it was £29, which is a lot for not a lot. The fact that they were still appealing for volunteer marshalls the night before the race speaks volumes. The extra distance is truly unforgiveable. For evidence of how to organise a large race [to which the organisers aspire] they need to look at places like Reading. All things can be resolved with investment [toilets can be brought in]. I didn't even know there was [not that I wanted it havng read about it] a 'goody' bag!! The run was lovely, the crowds lovely, the organisers were amateurs.'Nuff said

Date of review: February 19, 2012

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

In short: GNR Virgin
In full: 4th ever Half Marathon and first GNR - thought it would rain all day but turned out to be perfect. Terrific crowd, and the Red Arrows over the Tyne Bridge nearly brought tears to my eyes. PB too, started in Orange and didn't have too mnay problems with slower runners, but perhaps the people crammed in McD and Burger King before the start regretted their breakfast choice rather quickly!
Date of review: September 21, 2010

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

In short: Undulating and lovely
In full: I love this race - 5 miles of ups and downs and a [mildly] uphill finish - just when you think its all going to be downhill to the finish, it surprises. Narrow gullied paths make care the watchword, but this is running as I like it so no problems there. A lovely rural run on a pleasant late summer morning, what more could you ask for. My second time, I will be back for more!
Date of review: September 5, 2010

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

In short: Reading Raver
In full: Despite working in Reading this is my first time - and I was amazed! Great day all round, the weather was terrific, the organisation excellent [and this does need good organisation due to the start/finish location and urban nature] and what a fantastic crowd! Even the A33 dual carriageway was lined for 3miles - and the stadium finish is pretty special too. I think I'll be back next year!
Date of review: March 21, 2010

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

In short: Down by the riverside....................
In full: Heavy rain and strong winds overnights undoubtedly meant a lot of people chose to stay in bed. A real shame as this is what cross country is all about. The rain more or less held off but the puddles were, of course, deep in places - and the trot up the Adur [which is delightful in spring and summer] was enlivened by its swollen nature and that fact that it had broken its banks for a short stretch, meaning you either waded knee deep in freezing water along the towpath or tried to insert yourself safely through the barbed wire fence and find a drier alternative. The river for me. Finishing uphill in the mud is always a delight. This was a challenge, but I felt great picking up that medal at the end - we all deserved it! The marshalls were terrific by the way, they were out in force and the route was clearly marked - I hope they got a warm drink afterwards!
Date of review: March 1, 2010

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

In short: Aoooogahh. Prepare to dive!
In full: The weather was just dreadful - I know people who had planned to turn up on the day who simply stayed in bed listening to the howling wind and rain battering at the windows.......but for those of us who turned up it resulted in a true 'event'. Weather was worst beforehand so having to turn up more than an hour before the start and then try to keep warm and relatively dry was a challenge - yes all the covered areas were crowded but the organisers had planned well and we all fitted - just! Lovely to see Dame Vera Lynn hadn't stayed at home - she braved the elements and that was a nice touch. Biggest heroes, as everyone has commented, were the Marshalls and Supporters, and I applaud every single one of them - they had it worse that us runners. And I do feel sorry for the ice cream van!! To add insult to injury by the afternoon it was dry and sunny - hey ho! I'll be back next year though - a truly characterful race, no PB for me but who cares, I took part!
Date of review: November 2, 2009

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

In short: Dockyard Dash
In full: First time for this event for me but I'm already signed up for next year. Just getting back to fitness after 3 months of back problems I was realistic with which wave to be in, but was surprised to find myself passing lots of early-wavers within a mile. Are some people hopelessly optimistic or am I one of the few honest people? Wind wasn't really a problem, but then I live on the coast so its always windy. The crowd were special, cheering all the way round, the charity cheerleaders were great, and the bands [especially the drummers] terrific. Everyone friendly - I'll be back!
Date of review: October 27, 2009

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

In short: My first ever half, and chuffed with time. Great support, friendly marshalls but toilets really poor, and general air of profiteering. Could do better!
Date of review: March 6, 2009

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