My Event Ratings

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

In short: Nicely tweaked course
In full: The new course felt marginally easier than previous years (and I got a pb!). Quite liked the water in pouches. Crowd support great in places. Could barely hear the p.a. system at the start/finish. The price was steep considering the lack of t-shirt, but I thought the goody bag was pretty good (for me the inclusion of a mars bar and packet of crisps was just the ticket). Bit of a bottleneck immediately after the finish whilst queueing for water/medal/goody bag. Overall not too bad but still needs a few tweaks to make it 'special'.
Date of review: April 30, 2013

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Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:

In full: My first time doing this one, and surprisingly got a PB, despite the Orme! Scenery was lovely and it really was perfect conditions for running. Everyone friendly, but what was with all the queues!? I arrived over an hour early by car, marshalls directing traffic until the point were we were directed out of town and then no more marshalls or signs; parked in a side street in the end. Then couldn't see the sign for baggage so although I had collected number the night before joined the big queue (for numbers) and found out at the end that baggage was round the back and needn't have queued. Not enough portaloos so another mega queue for that too. Then a bit of a queue whilst running between miles 2 and 3 due to the narrowness of the track. Then of course the 15 minute queue for T-shit, medal and bourbon biscuit at the end - and all the while getting cold and seizing up. That really needs sorting for next time. Would I do it again though? Yes, it's a really nice run (especially after the summit of the Orme). Oh, and to Damian Heavey who asked about photos - yes, just go to http://www.mickhall-photos.com/ and follow the links.
Date of review: November 21, 2012

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

In short: Lovely, lovely run
Date of review: October 2, 2012

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

In short: My socks smell of fish!
In full: As others have commented, this is a hard, hard run. I was 23 minutes slower than my PB (in April), and only part of the reason was that according to my watch I ran 13.51 miles. Parts of the course are an easy run, but the areas of hard, rippled sand are not easy underfoot and the Kent Channel crossing at around mile 6 is slower than walking pace. I agree with the comment about the placing of the mile markers - the first three or four were placed well ahead of the mile they denoted, but towards the end they were a similar amount beyond. Scenery would have been better if it had been less overcast, but it was impressive (if a little demoralising) seeing the snake of people for (it seemed like) miles ahead. The goody bag was practically empty and the medal only average, and finishers had to pay for a T-shirt if desired, but I don't really mind all that as one of the main aims of this event is to raise funds for Cancer Care and not to give out freebies. If I do this again (and I will - despite the 680 mile round trip from Plymouth) I will definitely go barefoot. I have washed my socks and trainers but there's still a distinct tinge of fish about them, so they're definitely going back in the machine.
Overall a run you should do if you get the chance, just don't expect a fast time.
Date of review: August 15, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Challenging but fair. Nice goody bag
In full: Not sure about the new start to the route, easier then the old one but not as scenic and I think spectators would prefer to watch the start on the Hoe than amongst the boring shops on Royal Parade. I also think 08:30 is a little too early to start.
Other than that, very well organised, no watre shortages, good marshalling, really nice goody bag and the best t-shirt yet! And a PB to boot :-)
Date of review: May 30, 2011

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

In short: A fast course, but mouth dry... so dry
In full: Lovely flat course (smashed my PB by nearly 15 mins), good marshalling. Even though there were the well talked about issues with the distance and the lack of water at the first drinks station (really unforgiveable) I still forgive them (I can even forgive the unforgiveable). I'm not sure people would have been so accepting if the course was too short. I thought the T-shirt and goody bag were great.
When the problems of this year are ironed out (which I am sure they will be) this will be a fantastic race
Date of review: May 23, 2011

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

In short: A grand day out
In full: Extremely well organised (I was obviously too slow to be aware of the whole 'mat' scenario). Only my second 10k, so managed to scrape a PB but set off too quick and paid for it on the hill (I knew it was coming, so my own fault. Thanks to the lady who turned and asked if I was all right - I thought I'd got away with disguising my weariness as a 'gel-stop'!). Great marshalls, nice warm-up, excellent facilities. Ran through a load of nettles after about 100m (that was my own fault too!).
Date of review: May 23, 2011

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

In short: Downhilly, flat, hilly, hilly, hilly, downhilly, flat, hilly, hilly, hilly, flat, downhilly
In full: Wonderful race (I only did the half, so feel like a bit of a wimp). Just the right size of field, fantastic marshalls and support. Would be a great experience for first-timers - but you have to be prepared for the hills (not to mention the hills. And don't forget the hills!). Goody bag was just a paper bag with a card in it, but pint and past were fab, and nice T-shirt and medal. Also it DID include free entry for a year (I see another poster missed out on that - we nearly did too). Only four minutes short of my PB, which on this course I notch up as an achievement. Long walk back UP to the car (but only because couldn't recall where we were parked and too emabarassed to get on the shuttle bus and admit we hadn' a clue where we were going). Overall a wonderful day out.
Date of review: October 25, 2010

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