Latest Ratings
| 1 to 10 of 11 ratings | Page: 1 2 |
2013 White Horse Half-Marathon
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Great race - but get rid of Mr Happy Referee at the finish
In full: 3rd year in a row.
Excellent marshalling, very friendly and supportive - a big thank you to all of them.
Chip timing this year which added £5 to the race.
Shame about the referee at the finish, what a jobsworth of misery!
Will definitely be back though to add to my mug collection!
Date of review: April 8, 2013
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2013 Brighton Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A Great Season Opener
In full: Perfect running conditions and a very welcome sea breeze for the last few miles.
I really liked the water "bottles" - they were squeezy things, but had a good water flow. I'd have liked the lucozade and water stations the other way round, but that's just a personal thing.
Friendly atmosphere and I think 10,000 runners is about right.
Good bag drop off locations and good route.
I really liked the park and ride from the race course, it meant not having to get stuck getting in and it also made for a quick getaway.
A great way to start the season, thanks to all the organisers.
Date of review: February 19, 2013
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2012 Shakespeare Marathon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hmmmm.........
In full: This was going to be my first marathon. I had just gone by the start line when I heard the announcer saying that it was only a half today! Really, really poor shout. I had seen the weather forecast and also checked the website which even had a line or two warning of adverse weather and that the race would go ahead. Bad call. Very poor communication, which has been echoed on other comments already. And, despite the weather, my family came along to support me, so they had a wasted journey too. To be honest, I'm still not sure why it was cancelled.
I also agree that the medal with no date was a bit poor and a small bottle of water and banana wasn't great.
I then waited longer in the car park to get out than it did to do the half! I actually got out of the car and went over to the marquee for a free coffee while I was waiting.
If I can take a few positives though, I'm sure the course would be fantastically scenic on a good day.
And a MASSIVE thank you to the marshals for being out there on a day like this.
Also, there was a very hot shower in the changing facilities at the Rec.
Date of review: April 29, 2012
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2012 White Horse Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very good.
In full: An excellent race. Very basic, small event (which I like - if you want busy, nip down the road to Reading) but good, flat course, with rural scenery and not much hanging around. Regarding beginner friendliness, yes this is clubby (judging by the amount of club vests), but don't let that put you off. Friendly marshals and water stations people (mainly scouts) and a nice mug instead of a medal. No chip timing, but at £12, who's complaining. Book early though as this sells out very quickly.
Date of review: April 1, 2012
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2011 Bupa Great South Run 2011
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Toooo many people!
In full: I've read some of the reviews and agree - this may be a fast course, but not if you're stuck in the middle of a wave. Admittedly the pens opened early so you can get to the front if you want, but sadly my bladder just isn't that strong. I spent a very slow first 5k doing a strictly come dancing two step to the side and one forward type of stride, trying not to trip anyone up in the process. My son also said they saw runners up on the pavement amongst the crowd and one runner even knocked a child over...
Putting that aside, this was a great event, very well organised, plenty of parking, absolutely fantastic atmosphere (thank you the people of Portsmouth) and a pretty nice goody bag. I think if I did it again, I'd scrap the PB thought and put on a fancy dress costume and just enjoy the atomsphere.
There's also plenty to do in Portsmouth post-race.
Date of review: October 31, 2011
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2011 Mull of Kintyre Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Believe the hype!
In full: Wow! Amazing! Free talk by Rosie Swale Pope the night before, then pasta party. Ceilidh afterwards. Great goody bag with a proper running shirt instead of cotton. Name called out when running over the finish line made it very personal. It's very clear a great deal of thought has gone into the planning of this race, it's a very long way to get to Campbeltown, so the organisers have made it more than worth your while. I understand that about 200 people didn't turn out, well it's their loss!
I wouldn't call the race flat (as described), more like undulating with a lot of long, slight inclines. Bizarre weather - running west into a head wind, but running back it was like someone was pushing me on!
Free tea/coffee, pastry, sandwiches and milk at the finish as well.
Very friendly and encouraging marshals and locals.
My only disappointment is why were the children's races were so early? I missed my lads running and would have loved to see them. If that could have been an hour later that would have been great. Ironically I'd got back at 12.20 when the race had been due to start, but I found it had started (and finished) early!
I stayed for a week on the peninsula as it was half term and it's a stunning place to visit.
Heartily, heartily recommended! Well done to ALL involved.
Date of review: June 5, 2011
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2011 White Horse Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent
In full: Many thanks to the photographer capturing me looking like death! Too hot for me and outside my PB but I'll definitely race again. I liked the mug over a medal and t-shirts were very reasonably priced. Many thanks to the villagers and chaffinches (it was rural) for their support. Great marshals. A really good low-numbered run and a great change from a city half. Thanks to all involved. Excellent.
Date of review: April 13, 2011
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2010 Bristol Half Marathon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great. Championchip attachment rubbish.
In full: I enjoyed this race. It's in two parts with the first part up the Avon Gorge which was pretty quiet but scenic, then a round the houses 5 mile but with loud support!
I've read a few reviews and really the biggest gripe is with the chip sticky tape. Thankfully mine stuck on but they were littered all over the course, so there'll be many a person looking for a chip time and not getting one. Very poor.
And if I'd known what was in the goody back - or what wasn't, I don't think I'd have bothered.
A shame there were no trains running at that time of the morning as it meant I had to drive, but I got there early enough and had no problem parking.
Other than that I really liked it. I liked the wave start and thought it helped limit the bottle necking (I was in the yellow bit, but I don't know how anyone else got on). I liked the course as well. I doubt you'd notice the inclines around the bridges if you were out for a stroll, but after 10 miles or so they're a bit of a menace, but it made it all the rewarding at the finish!
Many, many thanks for all the marshals, volunteers and crowd support.
There was so little wrong with the event, I'd definitely do this again.
Date of review: September 5, 2010
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2010 Chiltern Chase 10K
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I liked this one last year so came back again (and it wasn't just for the cakes!).
In full: Don't expect a PB (although I got one, which isn't saying much!) as you get bottle necked on single tracks some of the way. I found it quite difficult but there's some great scenery. It's not as difficult as it's neighbour - the Watlington 10K, as that has two very nasty hills (for me anyway).
It's a good mix of racers and clubs and a child friendly place as there's a big grass common and a play area - this is important for me as I don't feel so bad dragging my wife and children along!
There's also a great home made cake and tea stall at the finish!
All in all it's a beautiful setting. I'm a bit limited to getting time to do my races so try to do new ones, but I liked this one so came back and will do so again.
Date of review: June 13, 2010
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2010 Bath Half-Marathon
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Okay!
In full: This was my first half marathon and I got 1.48.20, so I was really pleased. I haven't got anything to compare it to as it's my first, but there were some things I didn't think were great they've already been pointed out by a lot of other reviewers. I don't think it's very suitable for a 15,000 entrant race to have two laps. It means bottle necking for the first lap being repeatedly told to keep left and trying to avoid tripping over cones. I'm not the fastest runner and put myself pretty much at the back (orange E), but found myself really struggling to get past a lot of other slower people. The end also seemed pretty silly regarding getting the foil blankets - it was the second last thing to collect and it was a very cold wind blowing, surely they should be given out immediately? Also, we were told there would be more trains laid on, but the one I went home on was a crush. And considering Bath is such a beautiful city, the route was relatively drab if I'm honest! Good things were a pretty informative e-mail update service from registering. And the crowd. Thanks crowd! Great support. The medal was pretty nice too! I enjoyed it as a whole and may be back as it's pretty close to me! I do appreciate these things are hard work to set up and it's easy to criticise, but hopefully the organisers will read the reviews and learn.
Date of review: March 8, 2010
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