My Event Ratings

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

In short: I must have been running with blinkers
In full: Wasn't expecting the reviews to be this bad, there's a few bits I agree with and then a few that I think are a bit unfair.

Toilets: I saw plenty at Regent Road and was even a few more near the start line.

Scenery: After reading a few comments I do agree the route in Edinburgh was a bit random, opting for small streets which missed most of the popular landmarks.

Markers/Stations: I found the remnants of one water station but all others seemed more than equipped. Mile markers were missing a tad, and was it me or did the miles get longer? My garmin was almost half a mile out at the end!

Finish: queueing was not the best experience considering the sun decided to come out at the same moment. Medal a bit bland, I was looking forward to something like last year's medal. It says marathon in embossed letters on mine which is some indication to the event i've run. Finally it looked like the meeting areas were disregarded as the majority of people blocking the way out were supporters. Was lucky to get a train as soon as I got to the station.

All in all, I may do this again. I've been to races where there's not even a banana or a biscuit to go with a medal, and the medal had no ribbon! It was poorly organised in places, but It could do a lot worse.
Date of review: May 23, 2011

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

In short: Would love to do it again if they sort out some changing rooms.
In full: I know its an army base but slightly harsh they made us change outside. I was one of the sorry bunch who lost their hands to frostbite.
Some clearer directions from the site would've helped on how to get there. Props to the drivers who gave me a lift there and back. Would never have made it on foot.
The bog had frozen over I was told, nearly swam over the lake after slipping on rocks in the water. I don't mind the shirt as a memento. Goodies was great!

The only real let down was the portaloos and the lack of changing rooms. The constant U-bends on the course played havoc with my mind.
Date of review: November 28, 2010

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		80%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: I think I speak for everyone when I say "OW MY LEGS!"
In full: There's hardly anything to find fault with on this! A perfect race and the marshalls were brilliant!

Has the route been changed to last year, as looking at the old reviews the downhill sections were on the first loop. It felt as though the half-marathoners got a much more level track, but my legs were absolutely killing me so by the time I got round to their course my calves had all but packed their bags!

Loving the pasty and pint, the medal is huuuge! dwarves all my other medals and Tshirt is a nice souvenir. It was a shame I had to get the train back to brighton almost straight after as I wouldve wanted to see more than just the rainforest biome. Would run again!
Date of review: October 11, 2010

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

In short: Isle of Wight changed my mind about this one.
In full: My only real gripes at the time were only getting a banana and a biscuit at the finish line (excluding the excellent chunky medal!) but after doing Isle of Wight where it was only a bargain bucket medal with no ribbon either(!), I felt harsh in my judgement.

The hills are something else on this one! While not as undulating as IOW, the hills are very steep. I really lacked the training for this one! A slightly disappointing finish at 2hr 8mins but my first ever half completed!

Highs:
- Passed the Half marathon milestone.
- Nice opportunity to cool down in the sea water.

Lows:
- No goody bag, but thats fine.
- Really needed more hill training. At least now I'm in Brighton hills are abundant!
Date of review: August 29, 2010

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

In short: Did what I came to do!
In full: I entered this race hoping to beat my old PB back in seaford and smash 2hrs. Luckily for me I finished on 1:59 dead, which was surprising after having so many stops and also being blocked by a slow bus!
At one point the race route wasn't defined enough and had a difficult choice in deciding whether or not to trust the smiling runner in red who pointed out the next road for us.
I didn't mind the medal having no ribbon at the end, but not even having just a digestive biscuit or banana at the finish kind of put a dampener on the event for myself (This is what I got after Seaford HM. I know there was hot food in the rugby club but you still had to pay for it!).

Highs:
-Banter with other runners suggesting "slipstreaming" the bus that blocked our way!
-Beat 2hrs and set a new PB!
-Seeing the sights the day before.

Lows:
-No goody bag :(
-Traffic was bothersome at the start.
Date of review: August 15, 2010

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