My Event Ratings

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

In short: A hilly half but good field and great organisation - beautiful scenery too
In full: I love the Watford Half - Watford may sound like the least glamourous place to knock out 13.1miles but you quickly leave the town and find yourself in beautiful countryside on traffic free roads.

The organisation was top quality - bright and cheery marshalls who will generously lie to you about how strong you're looking at mile 12....

I wish they'd do a medal to add to the collection but you get a t-shirt and a real sense of achievement having completed this tough course. I'm looking forward to my second attampt this year!
Date of review: January 19, 2012

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A Hot and Hilly, small-medium field, with great organisation. Tough but very rewarding!
Date of review: July 24, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

Overall score		20%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		20%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Poor organisation on the events debut - but hopeful for big improvements as it has potential.
In full: Oh Zest - it should have been a match made in heaven, a market leading fitness magazine puts on a challenge race for its fans, but such poor organisation and failure to see the obvious pitfalls made for a rather lack-lustre day.

The Event: billed as a multi-challenge, run, bike, kayak race with mystery challenges. The reality, an unmarked 10k run interrupted with annoying novelty challanges such as 100m bike dash, and kayaking in a pond.

The Pros: Beautiful setting, nice products in the goody bag (no medal) easy parking, not too crowded, food and drink facilities on site.

The Cons: Some might say dangerously low on water stops/supply (I'm surprised not more people were taken ill with the heat). No mile markers or real timing in place. No idea of how far we were going to be running. No training advice and very little info on what to expect. Extraoridnarily long queues to participate in the novelty elements - why Zest did I bust a gut running a 6k section, only to queue at ridiculous sack race?

I completely understand that for a first attempt, event organisers are bound to make mistakes and I truly hope everyone's feedback is taken onboard to improve day for next time. I won't be returning until I hear of dramatic improvements.
Date of review: June 27, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator