My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great potential but many lessons to learn
In full: It's been said many times and I hope the organisers take on board the consistant comments about finish line, preparing for bad weather, improving baggage reclaim, information & value for money because if they do they will have a marathon to be proud of and rival any other. Over to you MK Marathon organisers. I'd love to run this again in better conditions & with the improvements implemented.
Date of review: May 5, 2012

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

In short: I'm coming back for more!
In full: This race is so steeped into the local running community calender that the organisers may not have considered first timers may be coming along. I arrived in Hadleigh then had no idea where the race HQ was so followed a few people that looked like they may be running and got lucky. The recommended parking area (Magdalen Road is a long way from the start btw).

The race itself is a good little race with some challenging ups and downs. There were some fast times too and despite not having the best of runs personally I want to come back fit and ready to try and get a more respectable time.

Banana's and Copella Apple juice at the finsh along with a Towel? not sure that was the most inspired of choices for the finishes but hey ho.
Date of review: November 21, 2011

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

In short: Excellent PB opportunity
In full: The race start was in and around a small park just off the seafront which kept all the runners congregated together. There was a good mix of Alcoholics and Tramps too to make the morning more interesting but don't let that put you off, it's Great Yarmouth after all!

The race itself is well supported by the local running community and seems to attract a plenty of other runners from afar as they are attracted to this unique seaside resort. It's fast and chip timed and the route takes in the pleasure beach but remember it's the middle of October so it's not well supported. Downsides? 2-5k takes you round the the industrial area of the town but otherwise it's well worth running for a fast time in an interesting town.
Date of review: November 6, 2011

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

In short: You have do the "Great Runs" but you'll pay for it in more ways than one.
In full: If you're reading this you must be unsure as to whether you'll run the Great South Run. If you're not sure then i'd say find a low key 10 mile race local to you. What are the positives? Well it's potentially a fast course and it's not every day you get to run with some of the world best runners and overtake a former olympian (i passed Iwan Thomas along the way round) you also have non stop support from the crowd all the way round plus if you're lucky you may get on Channel 5. Negatives? Well the fast course promise does have a couple of conditions...you need to be right at the front otherwise you'll get pegged back by the sheer volume of runners (24000 in 2011 i beleive) and then there is the weather. The last 2 miles you are running along the sea front(and in 2011 into a headwind) so after 8 miles that's the last thing you need as you want to charge on for a faster finish. That said you need to run these big events to a) say you've done them and b) appreciate the low key local races that go on every week near you.
Date of review: November 6, 2011

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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: 20k makes a nice change but the hills at the start and finish should not be underestimated!
In full: The weather today made my target time more challenging (as did a foot injury) but on the whole I left this race wanting to come to come back another year.

This race was moved from February to November, although it seemed to effect the number of entrants I think they should stick with this time of year. There were some nice touches to this race such as the much needed free soup and the bottle of beer. I think i've ran every Bungay race this year and I am always impressed by their low key yet highly efficent organisation, this was yet another route in and around the Bungay area that seemed to incororate a couple of challenging hills...and you thought Suffolk and Norfolk is flat! Whilst this "Great Run" doesn't match the commercial coverage of the BUPA series, this one will be lighter of your pocket but just as rewarding and not a runner in fancy dress in sight!
Date of review: November 6, 2011

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

In short: Fabulous, fast and friendly
In full: This was my 4th Marathon and definately my favourite so far. PB potential in abundance with great support most of the way round.

Running from England to Wales and back again (well you would wouldn't you!) was unique and memorable.

Whilst the race was on the steep side you don't remember the price, just the PB opportunity, views, and the atmoshere.

A race organised by runners for runners. Superb.
Date of review: October 9, 2011

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

In short: That hill oh that hill
In full: This race has got something special about it.

A lovely atmosphere starting and finishing on the grounds of a School with acres of sports fields.

This race pulls in the runners as it's the first race of a series of 5 across Suffolk and North Essex. whilst there were plenty of club runners there were plenty of non affiliated runners, a good mix I thought.

There is commentary as you finish which keeps the crowd and the runners that have finished engaged with what's going on.

You will never forget the hill on the last mile, remember the one you ran down at the start? well you'll meet again!

Congratulations Jaffa, i'll be back, that hill hasn't put me off yet.
Date of review: May 20, 2011

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

In short: Tough course but well worth the effort
In full: There a so many good things about this race you can forget just how difficult it was.

It's positioning in the calender will usually result in a hot day and today was no exception.

There was a good turn out of runners and spectators but there were times I didn't see anybody or anything except for plenty of farmland, so be prepared for a lonely race.

Don't come here for a PB but don't let that put you off either, it's a playful, challenging marathon with a good atmosphere.

The locals really seem to embrace this event and were out in force (one household even had their own water station I recall!) Excellent goody bag (that puts some of the national running event companies to shame) well drilled water stations and entertaining commentary from the officials.

Halstead Road Runners have done a great job and I hope to be back again in the future.

If I could change anything? Maybe position the race clock so the runners can see it as the enter the home straight rather than for the convenience of the race photographer so they can get a good picture of your finish, oh and water bottles rather than cups (but that goes for most races to be fair!)
Date of review: May 8, 2011

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

In short: Good value, no frills 10k with a chance of a good time.
In full: A quiet rural undulating course there are a couple of tricky hills that will slow you down but being an out and back route you do get to run downhill in the 2nd 5k.

200 odd runners with no race clock or medal so go along for the race not the frills!

BBDRC are excellent hosts with loads of cake and refreshments available with all proceeds going to a local community charity.

What's more what a great way to start your bank holiday with a pleasant run in the sun.
Date of review: April 22, 2011

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

In short: BBDRC are excellent hosts and put on an great race but those hills oh those hills.
In full: Beautiful weather and a very pleasant route, except for some truly challenging hills. If you though Suffolk was flat, think again, any inclines can be found in Bungay and the surrounding villages, one after the other for 6 miles. As races go, it probably has to be done as it's such a good race on so many levels. great support around the start/finish area, well marshalled and loads of drinks stations with the opportunity to place your own drinks at certain points. Whilst it co-incides with with Brighton and only a week before London there are only a few hundred runners but the half marathon kicks off a couple of hours later so on the last lap you do have the possibility of being overtaken by some speedy runners completing the half (only one went past me near the finish). I'm glad I ran it but I may need to experience a few more marathons before I take on those hills again. Thanks BBDRC.
Date of review: April 10, 2011

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