My Event Ratings

Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: So much wasted potential...
In full: Any new race is bound to have teething problems. Add this to the truly appalling weather on the day and some things are forgiveable. But the baggage pickup? Bordering the criminally negligent, as others have said.

No one could help the weather. As it happens I had a very good race with a massive PB and achieved my GFA target. A very flat course with just one hill (straight up, straight down again) has the potential for a very good time.

Unfortunately, the very narrow section from 14-16 on a narrow road- then a track- then a path- then cobbles- then a muddy stream (which must have been a path once) was unacceptable for a race of this size. I was very near the front- God knows what it was like in the middle of the field.

Given the wind and rain, the support from spectators was superb, particularly the truly uplifting 'wall of noise' in the centre of Altrincham. Well done too to the marshalls and the drinks stations, well stocked when I came through at least!

I can't ignore the baggage shambles. I won't describe it as others have done so very well already. My points would be these:
- when I saw on friday that runner numbers had been allocated by expected finish time, I thought 'I hope they've got the baggage sorted out'
- when I arrived on Sunday and saw the one small tent for baggage, I couldn't believe it. It was obviously not nearly big enough.
- As I was on my own I had no choice but to leave my bag. They promised it would be sorted by the end of the race.
- So- if I could see these issues at a glance, why did the organisers not see them?
- Worst of all, mistakes can and do happen, but no one was available or prepared to take responsibility for sorting the situation out, which in my view is the most damning charge against the race organisers.

I will remember the race fondly for my PB, but it was badly spoilt on the day by the most disastrous situation I have ever encountered at a race.
Date of review: April 30, 2012

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		100%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Fantastic organisation- but that's the best thing about it
In full: First of all, like many others I must praise the great organisation and especially the army of volunteers who enable the race to take place. Many people don't realise just what hard work it is to put an event of this size on- so thank you to all those people.

Loved the t-shirt and the medal, but please ditch the pointless 'goody bag'- not worth having it!

The course- given Bristol's topography this is perhaps the only way of doing it. I, however, didn't like it. The long drag up the portway seemed to take forever, and there appear to be longer, harder inclines than there actually are. Also I didn't really like all the twists and turns through the city in the last few miles.

Not a good race for me, a bit too hot and windy, but you can't blame the organisers for that!

Lastly, this event is very expensive, and given the slightly flat atmosphere for a big city race, I wouldn't rush to do it again.


Date of review: September 16, 2011

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: great event- but never again!
In full: Another beautiful evening race, great route, well organised (although I wasn't too sure about the start on a well-used road) and I did enjoy the beer and roll at the end!

As ever thanks to all those who volunteered to put the race on (and made the rolls).

I must remember though, I hate hills. And there are two biggies (for me at least) which I found extremely painful.

Also, price (at £14 unattached) is a bit steep- I have not done the race before but I think from previous comments it used to be a bit better value.
Date of review: August 4, 2011

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

In short: Hugely enjoyable
In full: Really enjoyed it last night- lovely run round quiet country lanes. Excellent organisation and great to see a smile on the face of everyone involved from organisers to marshalls to runners. What more could you want from a sunny Monday evening?

It was a bit windy in places, and there is one longish incline (not really a hill) but some nice downhill stretches as well. I managed a good PB and was still well down a pretty strong field!
Date of review: May 24, 2011

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: The hills, the hills...
In full: My own fault I guess, but I seriously underestimated the steepness of the course, and consequently suffered quite a bit.

Organisation was faultless- I enjoyed parking so close to the start! Support was superb, people obviously enjoying their local race even in the furthest reaches of the course, which it goes without saying is beautiful, all off road amongst the trails and trees of the Forest.

Wouldn't do it again, call me a wuss if you like but I'll stick to flatter climes...
Date of review: May 18, 2011

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

In short: massive PB
In full: Really enjoyed my day, particularly knocking six minutes off my best and getting down under 1.35!

Organisation was good- I enjoyed the comedy messages before the start. Actually, the course itself is generally very flat, but with two inclines and one reasonably testing hill- although you do get a nice steep downhill immediately afterwards.

I rather liked my medal and it was a really nice touch to have it handed over with a handshake- made it worthwhile!
Date of review: May 18, 2011

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

In short: Fantastic first marathon
In full: My first marathon. I'd love to say I enjoyed every minute, but the last five miles were not funny (at the time).

Absolutely excellent organisation, I would like to give special thanks to the feed station at 11 and 20 miles, making so much noise it cheered me up no end, and the lady marshall with the ghetto blaster, but all the marshalls and helpers did a fantastic job. Thank you very much!

This race really is perfect for beginners, with very few inclines.

My only sad point is that I appear to have missed out on a t shirt in my exhaustion at the end...
Date of review: October 17, 2010

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Tougher than expected!
In full: The good- it is a beautiful setting and a great course, and I did enjoy the run (in the end, although I hadn't appreciated just how hilly it would be!)

Not so good- I know, it's my own fault, but I had not appreciated just how early I would need to get to the car park, especially given that I registered late and had to pick up my chip and number. Queue for the car park, 20 minute walk to the start, long queue to get my number, more long queues for the loos... I just made it to the start on time, but near the back, and with no 'filter' in place I struggled in the first two miles with some VERY slow runners blocking the road.
Date of review: September 15, 2010

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

In short: fun and friendly
In full: At the risk of repeating what everyone else has said, the organisation was superb- big thanks to all the marshals and volunteers, who were without fail helpful and friendly.

I managed a PB, but for me, the long, long uphill incline from 9.5 to 12 miles was less than ideal...
Date of review: September 15, 2010

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

In short: Good for a PB, but chilly was the right word
In full: At least the weather wasn’t as bad as the forecast had suggested it might be. It was decidedly cold- and I didn’t enjoy squelching through the mud up and down a grass bank on the walk to the start- but there are distinct advantages to racing on a circuit. No distractions, no traffic, just you and the person in front.

I wasn’t too worried about the lack of scenery. The thing about 10k is that there isn’t really time to be bored. Doing three circuits was fine- by the second time round I knew where the tough spots would be (the wind in the last part of the lap was hard going, especially as it coincided with the only real incline).

The organisation was faultless, I got a PB, what more can I say?


Date of review: March 1, 2010

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