My Event Ratings

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

In short: Really good inaugural race, well done Lymm!
In full: A picturesque, well signposted route (we were lucky with the weather too – a perfect day to be out running!), good freebies & refreshments, friendly marshals and supporters – what else would you want? Well done for having a water station already on 2k, that was unexpected – and a very nice gesture!

The only thing that needs improving is the provision of toilets. I realise that there isn’t such a thing as “enough toilets” but this one was well below standard - when I joined the queue 40 min before scheduled start time, there were over 40 ladies waiting for two cabins!!,

Also, why not post numbers with joining instructions next year? Saves having to pick them up on the day.

Don't hope for a PB though, too many inclines, plus large parts of the course were oof road.
Date of review: April 16, 2012

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

In short: 100% for organisation and friendliness!
In full: I don’t think anyone got a great time because of the strong headwind for the first 5k, but I’m sure we all had fun!

The medal is the best one in my modest collection, tee is good too, a very decent goody bag and great refreshments. All the facilities you could think of were provided - including a free massage, baggage storage, changing etc. Incredible value for money for a chipped race!

The marshals did a great job, everyone was really helpful and enthusiastic. The communications before the race were also very professional, informative and friendly (if you read the emails properly, you didn’t need to queue for the toilet – there were plenty in the sports hall round the corner!). I better sign up quickly for next year, it will definitely be full again!

Date of review: February 6, 2011

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

In short: Great race, excellent value!
In full: I was a bit wary how "undulating" it would be, but it wasn’t tough at all – just a few gentle inclines. The course was 100% tarmac road, not traffic free but I think we only saw about 5 cars on the way – nice quiet country roads. The T-shirt is great, a much better memento than a bag full of leaflets and tampon samples! Good facilities at HQ, including coffee & cake sale and some running gear stands. Friendly marshals, easy parking (the car park was full when I arrived 40 mins before start, but on-the-road parking was easy and at least I didn’t get stuck driving out). Overall, a great race.
Date of review: November 27, 2010

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

In short: A fast, enjoyable riverside run in great atmosphere
In full: Most of the route was fast and flat (promenade along river Mersey) but the steps in the park were a killer! The loop through the park was definitely the hardest part, although people who don't like wind probably suffered on the prom. The overall pace, and especially the start, were fast. Very well marshalled, no chance of taking a wrong turn or cutting a corner ;)

All marshals very friendly - thank you Penny Lane!

The only thing was that the goody bags were very inconsistent and while this may seem petty, it didn't feel right when I got virtually a bunch of leaflets and a friend who finished 20 min later got lots of nice freebies. A snack would have been welcomed and I didn't get anything edible (others did). Also, I got a face cream for men, and a male friend got tampons - would be a good idea to do separate goody bags for men and women.
Date of review: July 4, 2010

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

In short: A good day out for families and groups, more of a picnic than an athletic event ;)
In full: Overall, it was okay. Parking was close to the start /finish point, well signposted. Plenty of marshals, lots of portaloos, good atmosphere, pleasant course in and around the beautiful Sefton park, great weather, good support from passers-by and spectators.

But:
1. There were a lot of slow runners and walkers (walking the whole distance, right from the starting line, two abreast). I appreciate they do it for charity, but it’s meant to be a run. If you are going to walk, why not do a sponsored walk? And if you decide to do a run, at least don’t go to the front at the start. It would help to have clearly marked sections at the start with expected finishing time displayed so that runners can position themselves appropriately. I’m only an average runner, but I spent the first 3 or 4 km overtaking and weaselling my way through the slow runners.
2. Parking: After the race, I waited in the car for half an hour, stuck in the queue to the exit, before they opened the road and let us out. It wasn’t the number of cars, it’s just that they weren’t letting anybody out. If I had known, I would have parked elsewhere.
3. Toilets: despite the number of portaloos, queues were long. The man on the tannoy could have spared us the lame jokes: “Come on ladies! You’re going to miss the start!” If a woman’s gotta go, she’s gotta go. It’s not like we wanted to queue there.
4. Goody bags not very exciting. T-shirts are funny shape (wide but short). Would be good to have a different medal for 10k runners rather than one saying 5k/10k.

I might do it next year, but if I miss it, no harm done.

Date of review: May 9, 2010

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

In short: Easy flat run, nice scenery, traffic free, free ample parking, well marshalled, great atmosphere.
In full: Very peaceful environment (running past a riding school and meadows with cows in), especially since there weren't that many runners - no queues to toilets and no problems parking. Great for spectators.

Some people complained that they find laps repetitive - personally I like doing laps because I have a clearer idea how much I've got left.
Date of review: April 18, 2010

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