My Event Ratings

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

In short: Excellent Race - as ever
In full: Fab race - great organisation; superb marshals; a couple of challenging hills. Even saw some sun this time (well, a little bit). All done with a quirky sense of humour and great enthusiasm. Will be back, even though I was a couple of minutes slower than last year (coming back from injury).
Date of review: December 10, 2012

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

In short: Friendly, and better organised than last year
In full: Slight change to route from last year, but better organised: still have a suspicion it is measured short. Water station placed earlier, but they could do with a second one. Entry was cheap, and the goody bag basic, which was fine, but a medal would be nice. But I still really enjoy this race, and I'll be back.
Date of review: June 24, 2012

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

In short: Second time for me - I have issues, but I'll do it again
In full: The most 'everyman' race I ever do, so a very low intimidation factor. Runs like clockwork, and a nice flat route. Only potential downsides are the numbers of runners, and the number of runners who over-estimate their capabilities: without this, this is a definite PB course, but you do have to run round a lot of walkers from very early on. Oh, and can we get rid of the big red monstrosity we have to run past at 4 and 7K - no, probably not. But home town 10K: have to do it really - I know I will regret it if I ever miss it out.
Date of review: May 22, 2012

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

In short: Loved every minute - really well organised and supported
Date of review: April 20, 2012

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

In short: Scenery and organisation excellent
In full: Overall there is very little to fault this race, even if it is a long way to travel (for me, anyway!). Registration and pasta party the evening before was appreciated; bussed up to the start Sunday morning. Tea and biscuits available (free) while we waited for the start. The race itself was gorgeous - first 6 miles or so mainly off-road, on various surfaces ranging from forest land-rover tracks to narrower paths, and undulating at this stage, though nothing horrendous. Last 10K downhill on the road (following the accompanying 10K race route) and although the road wasn't shut (the edge of the road coned-off) it was well marshalled throughout. Enthusiastic support once back in the town. Definitely a "do-againer"
Date of review: November 1, 2011

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

In short: Some downsides, but really enjoyable.
In full: OK - there are some problems here. Only one water station en route, and the water at the end had run out when I got there. What is difficult here? You know how many start - make sure there is one bottle each at the end. Also no medal - I don't know how much these cost, but it must be worth adding. That said, I really enjoyed the race and will definitely do it next year. I love running at Eastlands, and the athletics stadium is gorgeous. Much less crowded than the BUPA Great Manchester rub, but still a mass appeal race. I'll bring a bottle next time!
Date of review: July 3, 2011

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

In short: A bit dull in parts, but excellent support around the turn. Mainly flat.
In full: Starts (and finishes) at the Don Valley stadium, which is always nice - makes you feel like a 'proper' athlete, and good for spectators. Well organised generally. The exit is a little crammed, but nothing excessive, and once out of the stadium, there is a slight downhill, and then into a flat run into the town centre. Unfortunately, this a little dull - through industrial East Sheffield, and a little lacking in support there. Once into the town centre proper, the support picked up, and once past the Sheffield United ground, the crowds were linig the streets, particularly on Eccleshall Road around the turn. Once round and heading back, decent support back into the town centre, but the last 3 and a half miles or so are back to the more industrial part, and support was more patchy (though really appreciated when we got it). The finish is a little hard - you can see the stadium quite a long way before you get there, and you have to run past and round the back before you get in it. Then it is along the top of the far terracing, back out briefly and back in for the finishing straight. Sorted! Other aspects: water stations - cups are really not that helpful, but the water sponge station was good. Goody bag - hmmmm: T-shirt fairly bog standard, a cereal bar, a charity badge (?), and an offer for a gym. Not really up to standard. Marshalling was very good, and very supportive. I'll do it again, though!
Date of review: May 11, 2011

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

In short: Nice combination of closed roads and scenic Sefton Park
In full: Terrible weather not withstanding, good event that coped well with all the rain. Is there any way the start/finish could be moved off the field? Aside from that, this is an excellent race - an annual event from now on!
Date of review: October 3, 2010

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

In short: My first proper run - enjoyed every minute. Even the last 1km!
Date of review: September 8, 2010

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