Latest Ratings
| 1 to 9 of 9 ratings | Page: 1 |
2012 Dulwich Runners Midsummer 5k
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Well organised, good marshalling and a decent medal
In full: It was easier to get to that I had expected, so that was great. Park toilets available and there was an ice-cream truck but it had disappeared by the time the race finished. I found that a lot of the participants wore club vests which was slightly disheartening but overall the atmosphere was great.
Date of review: June 21, 2012
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2012 Eltham Park 5
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice 'local' race, partial trail, good marshals, excellent prizes, spot prices and customised medals depending on finishing position!
In full: I very much enjoyed this race and will make a point of attending it again next year. The location was very pretty and quick to get to plus there was a park cafe and toilet/changing facilities we could use.
There were plenty of marshals at all the key points and I loved how encouraging they were. The route took you through a 'trail' area which was a wonderful change to scenery and kept the 2-loop route interesting.
What I really loved was a) the spot prizes upon finish (got a box of chocolates!) b) the custom medals by finish time/spot (1st, 2nd, 3rd position and Top 50 finishers).
The results are available the next morning and as there was a photographer on the course, I am expecting photos as well.
Overall, great, welcoming atmosphere and very well organised. Well done!
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 Be part of the Bupa 10k race in London in aid of the RNLI
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Incredibly organised, good heavy medal, tons of race photos and good location!
In full: Amazingly organised, nothing left to chance.
Waves start made things easier and prevented stampede.
Nice goodie bag with medal, tshirt and various food/drink items.
Great location as well, running down the embankment and across the city. I loved the live bands that were around.
It was an incredibly hot day but the water stations were smartly located - even though there was a mis-communication in the beginning whether they would be on the 3k and 5.5k or the 3k and 7k. Plus I only saw one misting station not two (but it was goooood).
I got around 14 photos on the photo website - which is definitely a first so I'm very glad about that.
Date of review: May 29, 2012
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2012 Newham Classic 10K
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Impressive race, interesting scenery, good organisation and a community feel
In full: Overall I was quite happy with this race. Interesting route, good atmosphere, got a decent medal and tshirt and the people seemed friendly.
All good with the exception of 2 little niggly things:
1. Post-race, the queue for our bags was so long it took me 25 mins to get my bag. Combine that with aching muscles, post-race shivers and the cold and wind it was not pleasant.
2. (this is not something the organisers could have done anything about but for me it took away from the positive experience) There was no DLR on the day of the race and the buses were diverted due to the race which means it took me 1.5hrs to get to the race and another 1.5hrs to get back... and I live in Tower Hamlets!
Also, there was only one water station but as it wasnt a warm day that was fine.
I will try to do it again next year!
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 London Easter 10k
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good turnout despite rain which did not stop through the race. Very nice medal - but no chance for a PB in the rain.
In full: It was raining through the day and it did not stop or even pause during the race. I appreciate this is something no one could have done anything about but for me it took away from the enjoyment.
I loved the medal, good quality and quite unlike the other ones I have. Good marshalling as well - despite the downpour! They were clapping and encouraging us throughout.
My results were available on the notice board by the finish line, within 5-10mins of me finishing which was awesome! The route itself became monotonous quite quickly (3 laps of regents park...) - perhaps that could be a point for improvement next year?
Despite that, it was not too muddy or dangerous where we ran so I guess that was ok. I saw some very fast people and some impressive times on the notice board but I personally missed by PB by over 2 mins.
Overall good organisation, and they perhaps deserve more recognition due to the unpleasant conditions.
Date of review: April 10, 2012
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2012 Resolution 5K, Regent's Park
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Semi-hilly, nice scenery change, solid organisation but no timing.
In full: Regents park was gorgeous on this Sunday, it was sunny and bright. The race was well organised and started in fact a few minutes early.
However, there was no official timing which I only realised on race day. Plus I had to 'check-in' even though I already had my pack sent at home.
Unhappy I was offered chocolate at the finish line but overall it was a good race, a bit hilly but worth it for its money. Added benefit: it started at 11am (so I got a lie in :D)
Date of review: March 27, 2012
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2012 Resolution 5, 10 & 15K
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good, fast 5k in Clapham, a bit pricey at £15 but it is for a good cause and you get a tshirt, medal, water, cereal bar
In full: This was a last minute decision (cut-off is 3 days before the race) and both me and my friend (she applied 2 days before the race) managed to get it without issues. The route is different to what I had previously run in Clapham runs and I felt some of the paths were rather narrow. Moreover, the route was 5k in total which you had to done once if running the 5k, twice if running the 10k or 3 times if running the 15k. I only did the 5, but I imagine it must get pretty boring after the 2nd lap. I PB'ed so I guess it was a fast lap, and a pretty flat one at that.
Good atmosphere from the Stroke team, and a lively warmup before the race. The marshals were plenty, situated at the right spots and smiley! The kilometres marks were good and clearly visible (even though I someone missed the 4k/9k/14k mark?).
The tshirt was pretty nice, in fact most wore it on the spot and raced in it, and the medal was quite ok - a bit basic. They offered water/granola/cereal bars at the end.
Also there was a free bag check-in service.
Date of review: March 19, 2012
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2012 Hotelympia 10K
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good 10k in East London Docklands with flat surface, free brunch, good medal, decent scenery, bathrooms at start/finish. I did not really enjoy the double loop of the route but it wasnt a big issue. Would have liked water stations more spaced out.
In full: The route has changed from previous years and it is now a double loop starting from in front of the ExCel in East London (Docklands - DLR station of Custom House for ExCel).
The pre-race instructions were clear and timely even though my question around route elevation was never answered (it was flat).
Getting there was very easy on the DLR and rather quick. We picked up our race numbers the previous day so there was no queueing on race day. There were plenty of toilets at the start/finish and minimal queueing as a result.
The race itself started on time, and there were around 700 participants (according to the results page). As a result it never got crowded and allowed you to maintain the speed you wanted to. There were some walkers (or semi-walkers) so it is encouraging for beginners.
My one issue was the water stations. I did not see any before the 5k mark (there must have been as I saw some racers holding water) and instead of a grab-and-go table they were being handed out in hand. There was no water at the finish line when I finished (just over an hour) and neither was there any at the brunch - there were some water coolers though.
The double loop of the race was a bit tiresome, more mentally than physically, as you knew you had to do it over again! There were marshalls around the route and it seemed well designated as well. I felt it lacked the kilometres signs however - as I barely saw any.
Post race, the brunch was amazing and a really nice touch (plus it was FREE). Baps/toast with sausage, bacon, mushroom and tomato, yoghurt, fruits, hot drinks.
The medal was great too, good quality plus the goodie bag was pretty good too with a diet coke, sports drinks, chocolate bar (cadbury's was a sponsor), breakfast biscuits, a T Shirt and leaflets.
Overall, good and worth it and will definitely try to do it again.
Date of review: February 27, 2012
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2011 British 10K; Run for Seafarers UK
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Central London route but too congested
In full: This was my first 10K race which I ran with my dad. The route was amazing (key reason we chose this race) and it was ok value for money considering the central location, tshirt, photos and certificate. The paperwork arrived on time (about a couple of weeks in advance) and they included VERY detailed information and instructions around race day details, toilets, baggage etc. So all good there.
Yes the race is VERY congested hence my high ranking as a beginner-friendly race. I was a beginner when I ran this and I welcomed the slower pace in the beginning as it allowed me to pace myself and not go out too fast. I stopped at the 5K area to use the facilities but my dad continued through and achieved a PB (I didnt!). We had agreed a spot to meet up close to baggage collection post race, which made meeting up very easy. We were able to collect our baggage in no time yet I was slighly disappointed when I got a generic Large tshirt when the organisers had specifically asked our sizes (I am a small-medium).
The leaflet mentioned that Green Park station would be closed for the morning of the race, yet enquiring around the station the day before, the tube employees said they knew nothing of this and that they would be open as normal. We didnt want to chance it so we avoided that station but would have been good to know as it was on a direct route from my house.
A very helpful addition would be the starting pens and also keeping to the scheduled times. In 2011, the race started 30' late.
The price goes up for 2012 (to £50) so I am not sure if I will do it, but overall I am happy I did it once. If my race season goes well this year and my knee doesnt give up, then I am tempted to sign up!
Date of review: January 9, 2012
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