My Event Ratings

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

In short: Perhaps too many runners
In full: The marshals were friendly and just great for standing there in those conditions. I really enjoyed the enforced course change: I like seeing the faster and slower runners. Shambles at the finish, yes: the race seems to have crossed the line from nice friendly lcoal event to big mass participation event without adjusting accordingly. It didn't bother me because I knew I was never going to get a good result. But if I'd been determined to get a specific result I'd have been gutted to lose 2 or 3 minutes waiting to cross the line.

Date of review: February 27, 2010

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

In short: Best marathon I know. Again.
In full: Best marshalled, best signposted, best spectator support (OK, not millions, but they are all so enthusiastic and you feel they are rooting for you personally). The new course is better than the course I tried in 2005 and 2006 though there are a few kerbs. Great medal this time :-)
There was going to be a 5 hour cut-off but the organizers were flexible enough to extend this when they knew people like me would be running. Thanks people!
Date of review: October 20, 2008

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

In short: Chip timing would ruin it
In full: Perfect marathoning unplugged. Who wants a goody bag full of useless junk anyway? And the 25th anniversary medal just adds to the feeling that the organizers have a true sense of humour; I mean, who'd put on a flat marathon amidst the biggest collection of munros in Scotland? Cheerful young lads and lassies at many of the drinks stations, fab rolling support from the Fetch support crew, glorious weather ... who cares if I had to more or less walk the last 6 miles?
Date of review: April 30, 2008

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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		80%

In short: A race that gets even better every year
In full: My fourth or fifth attempt, a nightmare for me but this couldn't detract from what really is a fab run. Yes, the start is a bit crowded. Yes, my Garmin was slightly long (13.2) but that is probably because I took the long route? I quite liked the medal. I forgot to pick up a goody bag. But there were lots of water stations, the marshals were friendly especially towards the end, and the Jog Shop had some great bargains. 3714 runners completed the race. I like the way the course loops back and forth; I enjoy watching the faster runners :-) The little slopes at the end are great for breaking the monotony and the final stretch is genuinely fast, great for a sprint finish to impress the family. The flow of email newsletters was a nice touch and the website has got to be one of the best race websites anywhere, easily navigated and without the clutter of ads you get elsewhere.
Date of review: February 19, 2008

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

In short: Just the right undulations and downhill finish for a PB course
In full: Did this the day before the Brighton 10k and intended to plod around gently. But got a bit carried away, how could I not be on these perfect surfaces? Not a big field so I even got a top ten finish :-) I'll be back shortly. And I'd better volunteer for the days before big races I think or it'll be irresistible.
Date of review: January 4, 2008

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

In short: The best way to qualify for an All Day Breakfast
In full: I've only run this once, and on the old course. The new course looks really pretty and is just the one circuit, so it'll be even better. I loved the laid back organization.
Date of review: May 31, 2007

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

In short: The best mass half I've done
In full: The organizers go out of their way to put on a really great race. Shuttle buses, more portaloos than the FLM, lucozade, water in bottles, a stadium finish.
Pointing out areas for improvement is like picking holes in a Michellin-starred restaurant. Yes, the goodie bag isn't to die for; yes, they could have a few more chip mats for split times; yes, the kit dump was fraught; yes, you don't get to run very far inside the stadium. But these are petty quibbles. It was my first Reading ½ and I can see why people come back again and again.
Date of review: March 29, 2007

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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: If you don't get a PB at least you'll enjoy the fish and chips
In full: They promised 25 mph winds and puring rain, but the Brighton microclimate struck yet again and we had soaring blue skies and ... yes ... the sunshine felt hot on my back after the 6.5 k turn. I had a carp race but even so I felt it well worth the trip from Copenhagen. Again.
Date of review: November 21, 2006

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

In short: Marathoning unplugged
In full: Why is this race so popular? Even loved? Well, the marshalling is fab. And the course is relatively flat, with downhill bits just when you need them (21 miles for example) and "uphill" bits just when you might be getting bored. There is a massive forumite and Fetchie presence. The whole event "does something for you" in a way that mass marathons don't.
Yet as an event it is about as minimalistic as you can get. No chip timing. No electrolytic beverages at drinks stations. A variety of industrial estates to negotiate. Lots of traffic to contend with. A final 7 mile loop that could make you suicidal. Few supporters apart from selected spots.
Runners are a masochistic lot though. And I believe the popularity of this race derives from turning these apparent turn-offs into massive plus factors. That final loop, for example. Long, straight roads (with little traffic after 19 miles) so you don't have to think. Take your own gels; tried and tested and therefore better than any dubious electrolyte drink served at other races. No chip to worry about. A small field that means you only lose about 40 seconds crossing the starting line anyway. A great stadium finish. A bottleneck start to prevent you from going off too fast ...
This is old school racing and I am sure that's why we love it. And I am also sure it's why Abingdon is safe from being overrun by Jade and her friends. Dedicated plodders only :-)

Date of review: October 26, 2006

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

In short: Summer treat
In full: Lots of young runners: I thought the field would be very fast but it wasn't, though the heat probably contributed to that. A great choice for a first 10 k if you want a laid-back attempt at the distance and to get your Saturday run done and dusted in time for morning coffee. Good changing facilities.
Date of review: July 7, 2006

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