My Event Ratings

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

In short: Excellent race - Some improvements could be made
In full: For me the race organisation started off on a downer. If only the local authorities had got the traffic police involved from the start. I should have arrived at the venue about 45 minutes before the car park shut. But due to horrendous traffic (which was solely caused by the queue to the race car park), I only just got in before it closed. Chester should maaybe look at the Robin Hood marathon as an example of getting the traffic police involved from the start.
After that everything was near perfection.
Brilliant support in the villages. Villagers shouting everyone's names in encouragement. Great encouragement at the water stations. Especially at mile 12. Unfortuantely there seemed to be few villages from about mile 18 (?) to 23 (?).
The scenery was respectable, I particulary enjoyed the loop around the city at the start and the bit by the river towards the end. Although the middle had far too many hedged country roads where all you could see were hedges and runners.
The 1st water station was difficult to get to as the runners hadn't spread out and it was only on one side of the road. The 2nd one was far better on both sides and after that they only needed to be on one side and they were well organised and vocal.
Overall it was a well organised race.
I wouldn't do it again but that's more to do with the distance.

Date of review: October 10, 2011

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

In short: Fast PB course
In full: Thoroughly enjoyable. Fast and flat, great PB potential. Unusually you collect your t-shirt before the race rather than in the funnel at the end.
Date of review: February 6, 2011

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

In short: Enjoyable race
In full: The park and ride was excellent.

The start was poor. Walking pace for the first 50 metres as too many people went through a narrow area.

The course itself was great. With a number of friendly runners all around the course. The marshalling was fine as was the support in the local villages.

A buff and a cased medal were included in the goody bag. I didn't see any beers that were mentioned in other reviews.
Date of review: January 23, 2011

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

In short: Thoroughly enjoyable
In full: 2 uphill sections at the 5 and 8.5 mile sections. Well marshalled. Great goody bag (could have done without the maggots though). Great L/S technical tee.
Date of review: December 13, 2010

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

In short: A PB course if ever there was one
In full: This course seems designed for PBs. The course is ever so slightly up-hill going out and down-hill coming back.
Date of review: November 28, 2010

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

In short: The spectators were fantastic and it was pouring with rain
In full: This was my first half marathon and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Every village we passed through seemed to have a cluster of supporters who needed little encouragement to be vocal. My favourite point was the small tunnel where spectators gathered to keep dry but made loads of noise.

The weather was wet, wet ,wet.

The course was undulating. As I live and train in the High Peak in Derbyshire I wouldn't call it hilly.

Early entrants were given a free plain white technical tee before the event and another with the race emblem printed on it on completion. Therefore well worth the entrance fee.

My only gripe was that you had to collect your race number and timing chip on the day. Fortunately it was well manned so it wasn't too unpleasant.
Date of review: October 4, 2010

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

In short: Expensive for a local charity race
In full: The race was fun.
They had a staggered start to group similar standard runners and to avoid congestion.
The website advertised a free sanwich and beer for all runners, what they missed out was that you weren't entitled to a sanwich and beer if you registered and paid for the race on the day.
£12.50 in all. I've been to charity runs for £6...So I was really looking forward to my sandwich and beer at the end, for that price.....a little disappointed.
Date of review: September 12, 2010

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

In short: Great Scenery
In full: A nice run around Errwood reservoir, with fantastic scenery.

Good comms: If you pre-registered there was a warning that one of the local A-roads was closed, leading to the venue.

An easy first half of the race mainly flat/slightly downhill. The second half included a number of hill climbs.

Not for PB seekers.

There were few spectators and the Marshalls in the remote areas of the course could be a bit more friendly and encouraging.

It would have been nice to have some kilometre markers.

Mainly club runners but a real friendly feel amongst everyone.
Date of review: April 30, 2010

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

In short: Fantastic
In full: Having only run mass participation events or parkruns before this haschanged my pre-conception of small races.

The original date was snowed off, and I received notice on the morning by e-mail. Excellent Comms.

I was given the option of a refund if I didn't want to run on the rearranged date. Excellent Flexibility.

For a local race, much of the community was out and vocally supporting the runners. It puts big city races to shame.

All the marshalls were very encouraging.

The scenery was excellent, typical Cheshire countryside.

I'll definitely be back.
Date of review: April 12, 2010

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