My Event Ratings

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

In short: Pleasant Low Key Marathon
In full: I had a really pleasant Stratford Marathon experience. A new PB didn't hurt, but I enjoyed the quiet country lanes and the frequent water stops. The course is undulating, and the two laps might put some off, but I enjoyed both of these elements.

My only slight quibbles were the droning on of various dignitaries before the race started, I just wanted some upbeat music. The other was the lack of a sports drink on route, but we had been prewarned and so could have brought our own if needed.

Overall a fantastic weekend and race in a beautiful part of the country.
Date of review: May 13, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Great Race! Well Organised
In full: I ran this last year and came back for more. It's a Really great race! Windy today but still managed a PB by over a minute. Would rather have had a technical t-shirt than a mug. But this really is a lovely rural race, away from the crowds with plenty of PB potential.
Date of review: February 7, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: I've made peace with the mud
In full: I did this last year and vowed never to return. But I wanted revenge and so signed up again. My head was in a much better place and so I enjoyed it much more than previously. The mud between miles 7 and 9 is farcical but it's what the race is famous for. Enter this race with no time goals and just for the challenge and you'll love it.
Date of review: January 23, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Everything Hurts!
In full: Pros: Not many prettier races out there.

Cons: Mile and a half walk to the start.
Totally inaccurate mile markers.
Much more undulating than promised.
Sheep.
Date of review: November 8, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Fast & Friendly
In full: This race was very different from my previous HM's, run on quiet country lanes instead of through a city & it made a nice change. The event was very well organised. The marshalls were enthuastic despite the cold. I set a big PB and the course definately helped. Great goody bag, technical shirt & medal! Will definately be doing this again next year!
Date of review: February 8, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Challenging or Total Hell depending on your perspective
In full: A very challenging XC race. My first experience of cross country, having previously been spolit with flat road races. Was a bit too much though, with a farcial couple of miles in the middle.Had me slipping,sliding and going onto my bum at least once. This was a very well organised and inexpensive race, with a nice technical shirt too. I won't be rushing back to XC or to this race. But will return in time I'm sure.
Date of review: January 24, 2010

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Big PB so gotta love it!
In full: Took 17 mins off my previously very embarassing PB so enjoyed the race. Was flat and fast, perfect weather too. There were always lots of runners around which added to the atmosphere for me but could have frustrated others. Was definately some bottlenecking, and talk of increasing the capacity is way off the mark if the route isn't altered drastically. Was expensive and the goody bag wasn't worth picking up, but was a great medal. My fiancee was spectating and much prefered the organisation of Bristol and I would have to agree. But overall a lovely first visit to Cardiff and a great race.
Date of review: October 18, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Bustling, painful but end result very satisfying!
In full: This was my second half marathon and as previously I didn't give enough dedication to my training. Again falling short of my target of 2hours. But managed to get myself round in 2hrs 10mins and so took 7mins off my PB.
The race itself was great, not too warm, lots of enthuastic support, great goodie bag, medal and t-shirt. The course was good a bit of a demoralising loop to start and you were within spitting distance of the finish with 3 miles to go and seemed to run rings round it. A little hillier than my first race, but not too much. A great weekend and will definately book myself in for next year. This time with more rigouress training.
Date of review: September 6, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Hot! Flat and Friendly.
In full: This was my first road race of any description, and I think I bit off more than I could chew. 6 Weeks training and 5 miles my longest run. But managed to pull myself round in 2hours 20mins. A baking hot day and the lap element can be tough, but generally a great first event. Well organised, good crowd and flat, apart from the cheeky hill at the end. That hurt!
Date of review: June 14, 2009

Report this rating to the moderator