My Event Ratings

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

In short: Got to be the best half in the UK
In full: This was my first half, and to be honest if they are all like this then nothing to worry about. This race has got to be a definite for locals / Oxfordshire runners! The course is virtually flat running through scenic country lanes and small villages where the crowd (the few people that live there) turned out to cheer you on. The course was well marshaled with plenty of signs and arrows, mile signs, and a heart warming 400m left to go sign. There were three water stations on the route strategically placed in good locations and well staffed. This event is popular and fills up quickly and I'm not surprised, there were 400+ runners for what is a "village / small running club half marathon"!
The race starts and ends in the village, so you have to go to the village, in Oxforshire. So either you drive, get someone to drive, or if you live a distance away you'll need to drive down and stay overnight in Oxford, Wantage or Didcot and drive to Grove the race day. Parking was not a problem. From what I could see of Grove the village comprises 3 pubs and a school (but I could be wrong, 4 pubs??)

So the race for me: The weather was good, not brilliant, but good. A bit blowy and that was evident on the exposed country roads, but it got better and the mild wind cooled you down but it got warmer and calmer. Probably could do with a bottle rather than a cup of water at the end and maybe chipped timing (400+ runners?), charge a bit extra, I'm sure the race will still be full months before hand.
Date of review: April 12, 2010

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

In short: Good run, good atmosphere, good cause, big turn out around 2000.
In full: Good race, great scenery, very picturesque. The course isn't the easiest there is some uphill bits and some running on gravel, but it's well worth it and it's all for a good cause. There was only one problem I was dropped off by friends (as I don't drive) and there was no where to put your stuff, except in your car. In the end one of the friendly cancer research people let me put my stuff by one of the their stalls.
Date of review: January 22, 2010

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