My Event Ratings

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

In short: Good intentions but...
In full: I understand this race is fairly new so with trial and error things can improve..
To start with I thought that having the name printed on the bib was a good touch so that people can call out your name and cheer you on.
The negatives... The queue at the baggage area was ridiculously long, the water stations were not manned, marshalls were quiet, no toilet paper in the loos after the race. The course was very boring and hilly at times, I probably would just do it as a 10k not a half marathon
Date of review: April 14, 2013

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

In short: Love it
In full: One of the best half marathons I have ever done, very difficult to get in and very expensive too!! Hope to be able to get a place again next year as unfortunately would never be able to run for a charity and raise the amounts asked.
Same old issues with queues at loos and baggage areas, best to give it an hour as race starts sharp!
Date of review: October 8, 2012

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

In short: Enjoyed it agailn
In full: This is the third year I took part and was not disappointed, same lovely atmosphere and lovely park with PB potential.
Everything ran smoothly, no massive queue at the toilets.
Only drawback was the water station with plastic cups, unfortunately it is very difficult to drink from a cup while running I ended up throwing it on myself (although refreshing!).
At the end the usual bagels were waiting for us although very surprised the bagels where cut in half.. I know it is tough times but still.. Compared to last year we did not get a bottle of Oasis on top of the water, after running a 10k there is nothing better than some fruity sugary drink, especially when it is hot. Despite that we did get a nice towel which is a nice change compared to a cotton t-shirt, sports bottle, cereal bar and light rucksack. It is not a cheap run but every year they support a good cause and it is at least sposored by a few banks and Runners need.
Thanks to all the marshalls and organizers, will certainly be back next year!!
Date of review: August 21, 2011

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

In short: Pleasant Sunday run in Finsbury Park
In full: I always dread running in Finsbury park because of the hills but despite the fact that it is very hard to get a PB it is still good training.
The organization was basic but ok, lots of encouraging marshalls along the way, a fair mix of runners from experienced to newbies.
It was a pleasant atmosphtere, shame about the toilets, they should have a few more, in fact the start time was delayed because of the queues!
Goody bag was average, was expecting a banana considering it was lunchtime and I just ran 10K but instead I got a teabag, a mint, small antibacterial gel, recipes cards, Stroke magazine and a voucher for Sweatshop which you had to spend instore or online (you were not allowed to use it at the sweatshop tent onsite). Got a small bottle of water at the finish which always helps!!
Date of review: August 15, 2011

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

In short: Very enjoyable
In full: I enjoyed the lovely atmosphere. I came up from London just to take part and visit York at the same time and was not disappointed (although I took part to the Leeds sister run last year and was expecting as many people).
It was a shame the start got delayed because of traffic.
The warm up (if you can call it that) was marching on the spot, elbow to knee and a few squats... hmmm...
I agree with someone else's review saying that the lady from BBC kept on saying this was not a race, how do you call a run where you get sent a timing chip through the post? Plus at the end she was saying things like "London eat your heart out, we'll show you how it is done..". If you have nothing to say, just dont' say anything!! I agree it was a lovely atmosphere and I would probably do it again next year, but no need to compare it to London as there is no comparision.
I hope this race grows and grows every year, people running for good causes always inspire.

There was plenty of support along the route, two water stations at km 4 and 7 and plenty of water and Lucozade at the end.
It would have been nice to have another set of loos though.
Was not disappointed not to receive a medal (I have so much metal at home anyhow!!) but loved the t-shirt. Goody bag was nothing amazing: a small fruit bar, a small chocolate and a £5 voucher from Runners' need... but who cares, I had fun and the sun was shining!
Date of review: August 1, 2011

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

In short: Ladies' night
In full: This run is nicely organized although I would never pay the full price to get in so unless I'd find a discount code I would not pay all this money, I would expect a few more freebies (compared to the Adidas Women's challenge where you get double the goodies for half of the price).
I did run the 5K as I was running the British 10K the following morning and I find this is best as you also don't have to queue so much for showers and treatments.
Goody bag contained a huge bag of popcorn, medal a Vita coco 500 ml drink, small elemis samples, an eyeshadow and some vouchers.
The showers were clean and had some products inside.

I was surprised Asics would not give a small event discount for the clothing on sale: £25 for a running t-shirt?

Overall good run, although very expensive, I would have thought the sponsors would pay towards some of the facilities.
Date of review: July 11, 2011

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

In short: Just a scenic run
In full: The course is magnificent and the atmosphere is amazing, I was just disappointed to notice that despite the price you do not get any water at the start plus no gatorade during the course, there were plenty of water stations but with a warm you do need that extra kick to keep you going.

Extra toilets would be good but we were warned there was a space issue.
I have done this run for a few years in a row so now know to make sure to get a good place in the front unless I want to get past the start line 45 minitues later. This is a fun run so I would not worry too much about PBs, if that is what you are looking for then this is not for you.
Annoyed that the only way to get in next year is to fork out £50 and get two technical t-shirts, which usually in my experience in these big runs always come in a massive size man-friendly (which runner ladies can only use as a huge pj) unfortunately it is an Olympic year so people tend to use that as an excuse to overcharge... oh well...
Date of review: July 10, 2011

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

In short: Good way to start the year
In full: Despite the freezing weather I enjoyed taking part in this race, I read negative reviews on past races but wanted to give it a try anyhow.
Course had PB potential (it did work for me!) despite a couple of hills in the first 4/5 miles.
Organization was not bad at all, plenty of lucozade, water and bananas. Shame no goody bag or finisher's cotton t-shirt to remember the day, it would be nice to have it included in the fee rather than paying £25 (which I regret) for an average technical t-shirt which I had to swap as their S size for an XS which was still HUGE!!!!
More loos were needed and it would have been nice to have people adding toilet paper at times. Urinals were perfect as it meant queues were mainly ladies and that was going relatively quick..
Loved the percussion bands which kept our spirits up.
Will keep an eye for improvements in the future year and might do this again.
Date of review: February 21, 2011

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

In short: Average race but OK atmosphere
In full: Four laps in Finsbury park were a bit boring, I would have preferred two laps, have done runs in Finsbury park before so was expecting something similar. Start line was a bit messed up also, people were rather confused by it and the KM markings.
There was a fair mix of fast and runners and firs timers.
Shame about the loos, there were only four and eventually the queue was pretty long!
I was also upset about the baggage area. We were given a tag for each bag then at the end of the race no-one was in the tent and people were just helping themselves to them, I thought it was a bit irresponsible really.. especially if they don't want to be held responsible for loss or damage.
It was nice to have a bottle of lucozade at the end, the goody bag contained a women's magazine (I felt bad for the guys!) a pin and a pen, may be it would have been nicer to add a banana rather than a pin or a pen?
It was a charity run and the atmosphere was ok but with a few improvements over the years if could attract more people.
Date of review: February 16, 2011

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

In short: Not bad
In full: I have done this run last year and was pleased to notice a few improvements, for starters the start line was positioned differently, still there were only 4 portaloos but the fact that we had a set of park toilets a few metres away was brilliant! Thanks!!!
Pricewise it was a bit steep for what you get plus you had to pay £1 for the bag storage which I thought was a bit unfair especially for people raising sponsorship (I hope other charities don't do this as well now!) but as the money goes towards a good cause this aspect could be overlooked.
The course had a water station and the marshalls were lovely and supportive, we were all absolutely freezing but looking at the bright side at least the runners were running to keep warm!
Goody bag consisted in a blue bag with a t-shirt (you could choose your size!), a vitamin water, some Ricola candy, a flapjack, a fruit and nut bar (food always welcome!) and some leaflets on the charity.
I will probably do this run again, my only suggestion would be to also have some music at the start (especially to keep people's spirits up because of the cold) as we only had some music when we finished.
Apart from that, thumbs up from me!
Date of review: October 25, 2010

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