My Event Ratings

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

In short: Beautiful course, friendly marshals.
In full: Well this was the first time I'd done the race and I was completely taken by the course (I cycle round Esher and Claygate a lot and had no idea the forest and fields existed) and the friendliness of the marshals. But like the 2 posters below, I was surprised there was no water at the end (in fact I was grateful for the unofficial water station at about 5K because it was too hot for 2K to 8K without water) and the lack of a loudhailer was farcical. The Bushy Park parkrun uses a simple mobile speaker - worth borrowing it for next year! I was given my medal though. Overall though, as a first timer, these were minor criticisms of a race a thoroughly enjoyed.
Date of review: May 6, 2013

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

In short: Friendly & well organised but tough on the hills - no pb course!
In full: Really tough hills which I wasn't really prepared for. The first 2.5K is a steady uphill climb with some quite challenging steep bits. There are at least 2 more climbs interspersed with a couple of long fast decents. My shins and knees were crocked afterwards and I've been laid up with ice packs ever since! A well organised and scenic race though with a friendly but pleasantly competitive atmosphere. I'd do it again, but would probably not hammer up the hills as much
Date of review: November 10, 2009

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

In short: Forgotten how hilly is was but always well organised and friendly
In full: Did my best 10K time for a while so couldn't have been that hilly - just seemed it at times. Slick organisation and efficient (if unemotional, at times!) marshalling though a battle with traffic in early part of race. Excellent race facilities in the new, modern building.
Date of review: February 15, 2009

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		40%

In short: Beware: don't treat lightly
In full: Really tough: 50% is on rutted tracks that slope to one side and are hidden by long grass; 20% is on sandy beaches with a force 9 gale in your face. Beautiful though - and a great feeling when you've finished!
Date of review: June 22, 2008

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

In short: Fastish course in a pretty seaside resort
In full: Can't believe how little this is discussed on the forum - is because it's in Essex?

This is a lovely little race on a very pretty, period-piece island. Yesterday it was blessed with gorgeous weather. The start and finish are on the esplenade and you can warm up and down on the beach. You can park 20 metres from the number pick up and 100 from the start. There are real toilets next to the start and another (usually deserted) set a quarter mile jog away. It's 2 laps, so if you can't manage 10 miles you can always stop at 5. And well, efficiently marshalled (although next year perhaps the marshalls could make a bit of noise - I've never seen a quieter bunch).

Put it in your diary for next year, now!
Date of review: August 27, 2007

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

In short: A really enjoyable hills session - but don't expect a pb!
In full: Really friendly race and a great Sunday morning workout. Muddy in places but I was surprised it wasn't worse. Several sections where it's single track to all intents and purposes - unless you're at the front it's probably best just to sit back and enjoy the race rather than elbow people out of the way and upset them :-)
Date of review: January 21, 2007

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

In short: Smooth and professionally organised - but the traffic's asking for trouble
In full: Enjoyed it and the very informative, professional commentary. The traffic was probably the most intusive I've seen though, and whilst it never actually worried me, I think it is an accident waiting to happen; I'd hate to have to marshall it. I too missed the 5 mile marer - think it was in the section where we were being ushered across the final crossing at different points in groups (very odd marshalling technique that I've never encountered before). Overall, though, a good, professionally run race (if a bit steep at 15 quid for a late entry).
Date of review: April 10, 2005

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

In short: Great course managed by incompetent rip-off merchants - give it to Nike to organise, please!
Date of review: September 12, 2004

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

In short: Friendly, well organised race in a Victorian period-piece you'd never find otherwise. A delight; buy yourself a beach hut for next year!
Date of review: August 30, 2004

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