My Event Ratings

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

In short: Sussex Downs and Ups
In full: Great little XC race commemorating the great little English runner and multi world record holder Alfred Shrubb(1879-1964), who was born in Slinfold. He loved XC more than anything, with 3 to 12 miles his best range. This is an undulating 2 Lap route with plenty of muddy grassy tracks, depending on the weather. The race was cancelled two weeks earlier due to flooding on part of the course near the River Arun and today was the re-run.
There are two stretches of tarmac: an uphill section of 150m during the laps and a run-in to the finish of 200m before the cricket field. Also some concrete and stony bits, so I don't advise wearing spikes like I did! A light trail shoe would be best. That said, the course record was actually set by Nathan Shrubb(descendant of Alfred) wearing spikes in 2010.
Overall a very well run race with a good atmosphere.
Date of review: October 23, 2012

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

In short: Uplifting and testing XC race through scenic shady woods and paths
In full: A scenic 5m XC run, through shady woods and along footpaths. Nothing frightening, but a fairly challenging undulating 2 lap course with ups, downs, twists and turns. Great organisation and atmosphere. Also an excellent competetive training opportunity for longer distance runners.
Date of review: July 30, 2012

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

In short: Enjoyable race with narrow and, on this occasion, very muddy paths
In full: Very enjoyable atmosphere. Thanks MMM. I particularly liked the beer and banana prize at the end which is better than a tatty 50p medal anyday! I made my half pint up to a pint for only £1.00...never was into halves! Why not add £1 to the entry fee and give a pint?...It's a deal. They even did a veggie hot dog for me, so I take my hat off to the organisers. It's apparently made from minced vegetarians so they say. They get what they deserve!
One slight criticism: The paths were very narrow and single file a lot of the way, so it was nearly impossible to overtake anyone, especially in the 2nd and 3rd K. It would help maybe if the grass were to be cut about a metre wide where possible. The mud...well MMM! Say no more....your prayers were answered:
Date of review: July 20, 2012

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

In short: Great flat XC course with a little bit of road.
In full: Don't be put off by the "muddy" bit(I nearly was). The course was firm and dry today and it was also mudless the year before. If it's pouring with rain watch out. Very fair flat course along track with only a little piece of road. Friendly marshals and great tea and cakes available afterwards in the social club. Quite a treck to the start from the social club, so use it as a warm up jog!
Date of review: March 18, 2012

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

In short: Enjoyable run with with NO HILLS!
In full: Very well done overall, though in this large field, chip timing is desperately needed. The start pace near the back was very slow in the beginning due to crowding and large numbers, so don't start further back than your expected position (like I did) and lose nearly a minute in the first K. Even then I got a PB on my own timing from the line.
I felt the tunnel was too far from the finish line and did not narrow soon enough to ensure runners were kept in the right order of finish. At least one runner was wrongly given ahead of me and took my time. It was my fault for pulling up too soon after crossing the finish and not carrying on to the tunnel, but it has never been an issue before, so I think the layout of the tunnel was not ideal.
Apart from that, well done Bonfire Burn!
Date of review: November 8, 2011

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

In short: Beautiful day...great approx 9.5K race!
In full: I enjoyed the run very much and have no complaints but there is an interesting story to this race. I turned up early to get some jogging in before the start....I seem to need a good warm up to get my breathing going smoothly, even in hot weather these days(age!). I had a good look at the route and followed the first 2K of the course which was marked as looping through the car park and then round Granta Park before heading out on the road. When the race began I was very surprised that we missed out the detour round Granta Park. Thereafter my Garmin was reading around half a Km short compared with all the distance markers. After the race, the organisers immediately admitted the error and were very apologetic about it, erasing a lot of people's apparently amazing PB performances in the process.
OK, so just an honest mistake and nobody died, so I'm not bothered by it at all. Quite glad of a shorter race in the heat and humidity to be honest. I enjoyed my race and the course was very fair with gentle uphills and downhills. Some of the marshals could have been a bit more vocal to add more atmosphere.
Incidentally, re the missed loop...I don't think it's a good idea to have such a sudden right turn at the bottom of a downhill stretch early in the race. The front runners are moving at a fair speed. Why not start the race at the other side of the park and come past the pavilion to the gravel track to make up the 500m?
Date of review: October 2, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		100%

In short: A must for PB hunters, like Berlin!
In full: A great day and beautiful scenery with half the race down the promenade with a full view of the sea. Very good marshals and organisation perfect. A 10K PB made my year! I spent the weekend in a B&B so I could relax before the race and afterwards in the pub...I would recommend that approach! Unusual momento of a miniature plastercast running shoe.
Date of review: September 25, 2011

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

In short: Enjoyable run, nearly all downhill second half.
In full: Beautiful weather today. Organisation superb. The long slow climb in the first half is not too frightening and is a very fair test and the steady downhill from 5K to the finish gives you a very positive feel coming home. The race finishes 15 metres lower than it starts so good for PBs! I did a 10K PB! On the negative side, some of the cadet marshals said very little or nothing in the way of encouragement. At one point there were three of them talking together and ignoring the runners completely. A little pep talk about cheerleading needed to improve the atmosphere. Some marshalls were great and the water, banana, sweets and medal very welcome at the end. I'm sure I'll be back.
Date of review: September 25, 2011

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

In short: very friendly and welcoming
In full: Two and a half laps, all along road with the start the other side of the castle from the finish. A sharp uphill through the town centre at the beginning, middle and near the end plus two nice long descents in between make this an interesting, varied and testing race. The spectators in the town get three looks at the passing runners and they offer plenty of encouragement. This is so much better for spectators and supporters, a point overlooked by some who say they prefer single lapped races. A marvellous view of the castle on the descent if you have the breath to look!
Date of review: September 12, 2011

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

In short: Great challenge the last 3K, well organized
In full: Everyone mentions the uphill at the end but there are good downhill stretches too and you need to take advantage of them to make up for the finish! Lovely undulating countryside, shady areas, fields and studland. Encouraging marshals. Super fast results within 15 mins of the race end. No point moaning about PBs..in my mind PBs are only relevant for the same race. This was my second year in the race and it was my best yet!
Date of review: July 4, 2011

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