My Event Ratings

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

In short: Memorable despite the dreadful weather
In full: Despite the weather yesterday, Reading remains one of my favourite Half Marathons. If I am still fit enough, I would like to come back next year. A special 'thank you' to the people of Reading who turned out to support the race in the rain - they deserve the medals! A mini-gripe was that there was no silver blanket left for me after my finish (2 hours 24 minutes) and I would have appreciated clearer exit signs to Green Park after the race. Nevertherless, my enthusiasm for this race remains!
Date of review: March 18, 2013

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

In short: Enjoyable race - couple of things for improvement
In full: I enjoyed the race for a second time - and would do the 100 mile round trip again. I found the race instructions clear and revised parking no problem but it did mean a lot more people at the clubhouse (not in their cars) before the start. If the revised parking happens again, I would like to see more covered space at the start and/or the baggage area in a separate tent leaving more space in the clubhouse. In the clubhouse, I did not hear any announcement of the start so simply followed others. There was congestion after the start with faster runners passing those of us in the 'over 60 minutes area'. Whatever the cause, this should be avoidable next time. Maybe, the faster pens should lengthened as the race numbers increase. Finally, the preliminary race results should be marked 'gun times' to avoid confusion. Old charity runners like me get confused quite easily.
Date of review: February 4, 2013

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

In short: Even windier than 2011 (making it tough) but sunshine & no rain a bonus!
In full: I have run Norwich 3 times and this was my slowest and toughest in the gusty, high winds. Two hours before the race, though, it was also raining and skies were grey - so sun was a bonus. Nice support, given the weather, and friendly feel to the occasion. My gripe, as last year, was that gates to the Showground shown on the race diagram were not all open so I had a long trek from hotel to start. I'm an old charity runner, drawn back for family reasons, and as long as I am still running, I will probably be back again in 2013.
Date of review: November 27, 2012

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Review of 2012 Race - Good Race but Not Again
In full: I enjoyed the 2012 race, the course and the many people who turned out to give encouragement. I did not enjoy paying £46 for the race and another £12.50 to park; getting there very early to get a race number so that I could run in my own charity shirt; and getting no goody bag (or even a banana) at the end. The blaring music was a marketing point, presumably justifying the high cost - but it was the spectators who really urged us on. They were the stars.
Date of review: October 29, 2012

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

In short: Good race for good cause; only a 'maybe' for 2012 because long way from home
In full: Clash with Silverstone GP was a drawback for me as I had to stay overnight and rooms were scarce and expensive. Glad I checked the parking/start layout the day before because my sat nav took me into residential mystery land! Otherwise, people were friendly and helpful and the squeeze in the early stages of the race was not a problem for an old charity runner. My slow time was down to me, not the course. Lovely that the rain held off for the morning. Glad I came but, for me, just a 'maybe' for next year.
Date of review: July 19, 2012

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Well organised, nice support but a little boring and, for me, too far to travel again
In full: I was left a little flat by this run along a concrete promenade and back. Well organised and marshalled with some nice support, especially at the end. Hot and windy on the day. I hope it continues and flourishes but not one for me.
Date of review: May 27, 2012

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Very enjoyable - long way from home so unlikely to run it again
In full: Very enjoyable run through lovely countryside in best weather of the weekend. Stop-start through school gate is off-putting but, otherwise, I was very happy. Surprised it's not a 'Run Britain' race, not that it really matters to an old charity runner like me.
Date of review: May 16, 2012

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

In short: Fun and friendly but a proper [Half Marathon] race
In full: Marafun is a charity event, a nice 'church social' feel but also a serious race, under rules and over the distance. I think the 'mile' markers went a little awry at times but the distance was right at the end. As everyone says, the marshalls were great. It would be nice to see a few more supporters out and about but I did get some friendly waves. I train around the area but even so, I wasn't prepared for St Paul's Wood Hill!

Date of review: May 16, 2012

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

In short: Worth travelling - Enjoyed
In full: No problems. As a newcomer, I was glad I walked the start the day before to get the layout of Stadium & Park. Race was fine, bit narrow at places and bit uphill into the stadium at the end. Lots of spectators, some roadside on their sofas drinking wine near the Universtity! Very good atmosphere - hope to run Reading again.
Date of review: April 7, 2012

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

In short: Very good course and well organised
Date of review: March 18, 2012

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