My Event Ratings

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

In short: Loved it, will be back
In full: Very windy, rather undulating, but everything just felt great about this race which contributed to a PB. Only areas for improvement would be the start not being in the car park amongst the cars. The shuttle bus from the parking area worked really well.
Date of review: January 25, 2012

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

In short: fantastic. Will be back next year
In full: Excellent organistaion. Quite surprised that almost all of the roads were completely closed in both directions for the whole race making it very safe. Atmosphere was great. I wasn't 100% fit and found it a real struggle, but the support was just fantastic from all of the locals. Names on the numbers makes a big difference and certain that this will start becoming the norm at such events. Much more undulating than previous year, but a much more scenic and enjoyable route. Only very minor gripe is the use of the village inside the racecourse which is a little bit of a gamble. If the weather is good then it's much easier for specctators and finishes just to be inside the open course where it's easier to find everything and get to each other. As is the arrangement at the half marathon. The race course village is just a bit too much of a maze, although could have been considered a really smart move if it was pouring with rain. You can't win really, if you change it, it's bound to rain next year! Good quality medal plus a good technical t shirt that was long sleeved for a change which I really liked.
Date of review: October 13, 2011

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

In short: Leave the stopwatch at home
In full: Some races you run for the scenery, others for PB's but this is purely for the atmosphere. Don't take part if you want a pb or like running on your own. This event is absolutely amazing as long as you go into it knowing that it will be very congested and that you are taking part purely because the atmosphere is fantastic. When the Red Arrows fly overhead as you run over Tyne Bridge, running just doesn't get any better. Having the Red Arrows also fly over at the start and Emma Egging start the race I thought was very fitting on this occasion and particularly moving.
Date of review: September 19, 2011

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

In short: Great event to start the year
In full: Very quiet small race with just a few supporters in the village, very cold and icy. But fantastic value and great way to start the year. Very flat apart from going over the motorway bridges. Good marshalling throughout, didn't offer as much encouragement as at other events, but probably due to how cold it was, so can only thank them all for doing a great job on the day. Marshalls must have found it hard going. Water stations spread a little odd. Only had two, with the latter one too close to the end to worth bothering with. Would have been better if one was at the half way point. Very nice medal at the end. Nice venue at the village hall. Took my young family who were quite happy eating and drinking in the hall and kept themselves entertained enough so didn't get bored. Good idea to get plenty of helpers in for massages. Certainly intend to be back in the future.
Date of review: January 10, 2011

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

In short: Bargain race, cheap to enter, good quality medal, t shirt, pleasure to take part..
In full: Fantastic race. Made my week. Organisation was excellent. Weather was unbelievable for an October morning. Lovelly course through undulating countryside. Sets the benchmark for value, since it's cheap to enter, but you still get a quality medal and a nice t shirt.
Date of review: October 10, 2010

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

In short: I loved this race, will certainly be back.
In full: I did the infamous Coniston 14 the day before (Coniston 17 this year!). However the race that I will remember from this weekend will be this Grizedale Forest Trail. It's likely that I'll return to do Coniston again, but absolutely certain that I'll do Grizedale again. I loved this race. One of those small races that only a few seem to know about that are a real pleasure to take part in. The hills are very steep and you are either going up one or down one. The scenery is absolutely spectacular. Other runners will have come to the Lake District and thought that they had seen the scenery at Coniston, but the views from the top of Grizedale were just something else. The finish was a nice touch, where you were given a memento mug, that you then had filled with tea and also had a choice from a wide assortment of large delicious cakes. Atmosphere was very friendly. Forget personal bests, this is a race just to take part in, enjoy and chat to fellow runners afterwards over your tea and cake. This is my favourite race of the year so far. It's a shame that overall scores for this race will clearly be let down by lack of PB potential, because you don't do this race for that reason. Hope to be back next year.
Date of review: March 31, 2010

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

In short:
In full: Much more scenic than I was expecting. People have mentioned hills, but it certainly wasn't a hilly course. Not compared to places like Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, Macclesfield etc. I'd describe it as only just undulating. It was more off road than I expected, making it more of a cross country route. Going down to a single track after about 4 miles slowed my time up a bit due to the congestion. The first 4 miles did help to spread the field out though. Chip timing didn't appear to have been used properly since we didn't pass through any sensors at ths start. The results don't provide any different chip time either, so I can't understand why it was used other than to easily record your finish time. I had started right at the back, so the difference in my overall time was quite significant. Starting area was ideal. I think in future a better finish could be provided for spectators. Same place as the start would be an improvement but I'm sure it could be better with the finish somewhere more historic. General organisation other than the chip timing was good. Marshalls were fantastic. No problems with the water stations. Overall I really enjoyed this race and will certainly be back next year.
Date of review: March 24, 2010

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

In full: Great location and scenery around the Orme does take your mind off the climb up the hill. Start and first few miles are certainly a problem due to how narrow the path is. Needed grouping into abilities at the start and chip timing since I took over a minute to pass the start line. I was surprised that there wasn't a water station at the top of the Orme, this would have made sense. T shirts at the end were only small! However, overall, I absolutely loved it, made my week and will certainly be back next year, but will make sure I place myself nearer the front for the start.
Date of review: November 9, 2009

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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: Would rate higher for begginers but 2 hr 35 time limit may put some off, especially with the hills. This deters the walkers from taking part but still remains very friendly towards the slower runner.
Date of review: October 3, 2009

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

In short: Very small field, really really friendly, first and last km cross country the rest on very quiet country lanes other than the odd tractor. Will certainly take part again.
Date of review: September 13, 2009

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