My Event Ratings

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

In short: Not one for "serious" runners
In full: As billed, a family running festival for a good cause. But apart from enjoying the caring/sharing feelgood factor and the benefits of getting some Sunday morning exercise, there's little real reason to do this unless you live locally. The winding course - three laps over a mere 5k around the grounds of a local "hospital" (I thought these large asylums had all been closed down) - is confusing and dull. The Fix crew (veterans of far larger events) tried to inject a bit of "big race atmosphere" with timing chips, medals, goodies and the occasional marshal etc but nothing can disguise the event's Mickey Mouse nature. It's really made for non-runners or runners who want a morning off. So bring the kids, enjoy a pleasant outing and just treat it as light training rather than anything competitive.
Date of review: June 30, 2010

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

In short: A huge event but a super course and slick organisation
In full: This is rapidly growing into a behemoth and it's easy to see why. Despite the size of the event, I found it a brilliant experience. The marshals were helpful and enthusiastic, the wave system works well (as long as you don't obey orders and therefore stand around freezing for 30-40mins before the start) and the crowds encouraged my weary legs round the capital's historic sights. Thankfully, unlike the VLM it hasn't yet been hijacked and turned into an all-out cheesy charidee fest, and long may that continue as - believe it or not - there are some of us who run purely because we love running! All in all, for saying it's become so large, this is a well-managed, highly rewarding event. Hats off to all involved.
Date of review: May 31, 2010

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

In short: Thankfully, now up to the usual Energized standard
In full: After being roundly panned last year, it was a relief to see that Energized have sorted things out. There are now very few minuses and lots of positives. The fast, flat Thameside route is very scenic, not too congested with good PB potential if you manage to avoid a couple of pinch-points and slower runners. The organisation was excellent - marshals were the usual mix of comatose and enthusiastic but traffic-wise they did their jobs, baggage drop and chip pick-up were adequate and the post-race goodies (banana, water, medal) rounded off a nice morning.
Date of review: May 16, 2010

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

In short: Enjoyable two-lap run in a unique setting
In full: This one did what it said on the tin. Two quick laps round a fairly scenic course that showed runners various aspects of the park. Overall, I think Energized did a decent job, though I have much the same criticisms as others. Baggage storage was an issue. It was obviously a mistake to use the too-small bandstand, which forced them to move the bags and so allow worryingly free access. Yes, race entry cost a lot. But I assume the park authorities charge a packet for the "privilege" of using the venue. Goodie bags don't mean much to me, as long as there is some token to show you've participated and some form of refreshment afterwards. As far as running in parks is concerned, I've run several events in Regents Park and this one was far better than those, as there were fewer laps, far more to see and a better pre and post-race atmosphere. I don't know if this will become as regular event but with a little improvement (and Energized have shown they do listen to runners' criticisms) it could be a very rewarding race.
Date of review: March 29, 2010

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

In short: Decent twice-yearly event
In full: A nice canter round Raynes Park/Wimbledon. Well organised, as you'd expect after putting it on so many times. This is a great event for locals and worth travelling a distance for, as the hill provides a fair old challenge and the downhill sectors offer a much-needed breather. There's a good mix of abilities, the usual MC (with his "lunge" fetish) and a BBQ for anyone who missed brekkie. Only real negative is the traffic (as it always is in this event) which keeps you on your toes at a few points along the way. But, all in all, a super Sunday morning workout.
Date of review: March 14, 2010

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

In full: A great early season "pipe opener". Could have been a bit bleak had the weather got too wintry but, as it was, I really enjoyed this brisk, undulating circuit around a rural area. Nice to have a decently appointed base and slick, well drilled marshals throughout - they kept the cars at bay along the well-marked route, offered much-neeeded vocal encouragement and made pre-race registering and post-race goodie bag collecting a breeze. Didn't even have to queue for a loo, which must be a first! It all made for a rewarding, stress-free morning, and a highly recommended 10k - many thanks to 26.2 Road Runners Club.
Date of review: February 14, 2010

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

In short: Decent local race. Hope ti become a regular event
In full: Despite my fears, not badly organised at all by Energized. Long queues for loos though, and not much in the way of atmosphere or entertainment but still an enjoyable morning.
Got off almost on time for a romp around fairly quiet Wimbledon back streets. Highlight was a killer two-part hill halfway - even worse than the Audi's Wimbledon Hill ordeal.
In the final stages there was another cruel twist - an element of making-up-the-distance when, almost within sight of the finish, we were directed around the block. Then it was a muddy splash across the Common for the last 1k.
Along the way there was enthusiastic marshalling and not too many impatient drivers.
Ran a decent time, despite the hills, mud and water, which always adds to the satisfaction. Nice goodies and medal to round off the feelgood factor.
Date of review: November 15, 2009

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

In full: This is for the Nov 1st event, when those who took part are probably STILL drying out. Yes, the torrential rains came down and created atrocious, cold 'n' depressing conditions, though the marshals did try their best to lift the spirits. Three-lap course is fairly mundane with a few slight inclines, one narrow path and a zillion big puddles that kept us on our toes. Might be nice in the sunshine but any event would struggle to get 10/10 in those conditions! Still, well done to the organisers and let's hope for fairer weather next time and a better PB chance.
Date of review: November 2, 2009

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

In short: Fun on the SW19 rollercoaster
In full: Well organised at the start/finish area. Fun MC, barbie and a slick bag drop. Got off on time and managed to dodge the many motorists en route. Seemed like we crossed a zillion roads on the round Wimbledon circuit. It was mostly smooth sailing but there could have been a few more marshals at key points and, as is said every year, a water station at the top of the hill (must be some reason they can't do it). All in all though, a nice - if chilly - morning out. Not a great one for newbies I wouldn't think because of the big hill and a few smaller ones. I somehow managed to get a PB but I'm still feeling it!
Date of review: October 18, 2009

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

In short: Nice day but room for improvement
In full: A bit shambolic, especially at the start. A postal strike meant there was a lot of people to process. So there should have been more than one tiny desk to register on, and three harried women making it up as they went along - all of which was crammed in to the local building society office. Quirky and inefficient. Once under way it was the usual jaunt around semi-rural suburbia. There was great marshalling and sign-posting (in miles), not too much traffic and a few undulations to keep it interesting. The finish was weirdly situated round a bend on the high street and the goodie bag disappointing (if you're gonna have sponsors' T-shirts rather than medals, at least put the name of the event on them). Like a lot of other folk, I did somehow manage to get a PB so that, along with perfect weather, made the day even more worthwhile. Not a bad event but could be much better.
Date of review: September 30, 2009

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