My Event Ratings

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

In short: A great race but I hated that hill
In full: Only my 2nd half marathon (1st was GNR so a little different!) and I really enjoyed this race. The organisation was good, apart from a slightly shambolic pre-start (wasn't that clear when it had begun) but I am a slower runner so knew to start near the back & chip timing meant it didn't much matter. There can never be enough toilets but the queue was bearable if you got there in enough time.
The route was lovely but even though I had read the reviews & done some hill training, that hill was still horrid. It is the steepness of the incline. I lost minutes on the damn thing & it meant that the last 2 miles felt tough, even though they were slightly downhill & shouldn't have. Also therefore missed out on my target time by 28 seconds (ahhh....) which is so annoying.
All in all, a great race - wish I could run it again next week to do it faster & will definitely run it next year. Many thanks to the organisers, the marshalls (particularly the encouraging ones) & to some friendly spectators too.
Date of review: October 11, 2010

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

In short: Great day but a bit of a let down for me personally??
In full: GNR is an iconic race and, as a first timer both for this race & for a half marathon, I had really high expectations for a stupendous atmosphere. However, the rain & the fact I was ill half way round which destroyed my chances of getting the time I wanted took the shine off it for me. Don't get me wrong - I had a brilliant day & in hindsight, it just gets better too and perhaps my hopes were just too high beforehand.

Our Nirvana coach dropped us off well in advance of the race so there was lots of hanging around in the rain so not great to start cold & damp. I was in the pen well in advance of the start which was probably a good idea. Luckily, I was chatting to some very friendly strangers when they played Abide with Me or I might have completely lost it then (I was running in my mother's memory).

Don't understand the people who say it is hilly, I was expecting worse - but then I trained for Cornwall in a month. I can understand the frustration with those who were "ambitious" with their finish time & so got in others way but was fine with the walkers as long as they stayed on the left (indeed, I walked myself a couple of times). It was those walking in the middle of the field who were annoying, particularly at the finish. I had trained for a sprint finish & no chance of that with the volume of people. You think you are there when you go down the hill & turn left by the sea but that finish line just kept getting further & further away. Luckily, the crowds were fab there.

The locals are brilliant, although I suspect there were less than usual because of the weather.

The organisation was good (although never enough toilets of course).

So - would definitely run it again & have already signed up for next year. Just will take plenty of medicine & fingers crossed for sunshine.
Date of review: September 21, 2010

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

In short: Great race with a brilliant atmosphere.
In full: This is a great race. Hilly in parts but some good descents too and beautiful scenery. Well organised with really friendly officials and other runners. My dog (who ran with me) was thrilled to get a medal and to get cheered home at the end too. Will definitely run it again.
Date of review: August 15, 2010

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

In short: Enjoyable for our first race
In full: My husband & I (& dog!) were running this as our first race - I therefore don't have any other race comparisons but we really enjoyed it. The organisers were very friendly, everything was clearly laid out & the location is great, particularly if you have non-runners with you. The price is steep & it was a shame to pay extra for parking but we would definitely run it again.
Date of review: April 26, 2010

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