My Event Ratings

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: Turns out our local 10k is a tough one!
In full: What's not to like about a 10k I can walk to?

Having been a resident of Stansted for a year I thought I'd found every hill, turns out that's not the case. Also didn't realise it would be quite so off country!

The hill at 8k up a muddy hill was fun, slipping descent that followed was far tougher though. The race really was either up or down, hardly any flat. Felt it was the toughest 10k I've done & once you get over the fact that there's no PB it became an enjoyable challenge. I'll value a 56min on this course over a 51 on a flat.

Shame it's only every 2 years, likewise a shame that the start was delayed. We had no PA system over at the start so wasn't sure why.

Perhaps extend chip timing to start & finish next time around?
Date of review: July 9, 2012

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

In short: Well organised off road event
In full: Hilly & mainly over bridleways, not a great combo for a PB, but a nice run in the countryside. Finish was organised well, a nice swell of spectators to cheer you on. Only downside being the toilets were across from the main area so you had to cross the path of finishing runners.
Medal was nice, good for events to be unique instead of opting for an off the shelf running model.
A bit packed at the start, perhaps more spacing between timing pens was required given the number involved.
Good event though, will seek to conquer those hills next year!
Date of review: May 22, 2012

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

In short: Good course with definate PB potential
In full: Course was completely traffic free, mostly flat, though on the 180s of the test track there was a bit of a camber to deal with.

2 lap course, could have done with distance markers every mile instead of every 2 though.
Date of review: March 8, 2012

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

In short: Decent route, nice downhill finish but needs a bit of work
In full: The course itself was good a PB attests to that! Mainly flat for the first 5k. You then encounter a winding downhill 200m which would be a nightmare with a bigger field (200ish competed). From 6-8 you climb at varying degrees, this sets you up for a swift descend from 8.5-9.5.
One water station was sufficient, although there only seemed to be one person handing out cups / pouring meaning that people racing in groups would have had to stop or go without.
The cattle grids should have been covered, was not fun trying to negotiate them.
The organisation at the start was bizarre, we seemed to be herded towards the finish line, then to the start line, then told that we were all facing the wrong way!
At the finish there was water, bananas & sweets & goodybags which for the £15 or so entry were disappointing. A hat & water bottle. A medal would have been a nicer touch.
The timings were initially all about 8 mins under on the website but this looks to have been resolved now.
Date of review: December 15, 2011

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

In short: Excellent local race, good value
In full: First time runner of this race & having experienced the Great South Run two weeks previously I was looking forward to a smaller, better organised race.
That's exactly what we got with the Stebbing 10 miler. Service at the start was a nice touch, would have been even better if folks had stopped their Garmin's from beeping during the silence!
Course was a nice challenge, first mile & a half you went past the school, up & back down the high street. Then it was out around a farm, with a nice hill (more never ending than steep) at around 7 miles. Getting back into the village with 1k to go made for a nice finish, kicking down the hill & back up towards the school was a nice finish.
Would have appreciated a water station between 2.5 & 6.5 miles, made managing energy gels difficult.
On the whole though the race was well managed, perhaps chip timing for next year? Excellent value & the t shirt is unique.
Date of review: November 17, 2011

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Too many people for just 3 splits
In full: Its a shame that the organisation doesn't match the enthusiasm of the Portsmouth crowd or the fee associated to the event.
Start area was chaotic, not enough loos, 30 minute queue is not great prep for a race.
The three starting waves were also far too big, spent the entire race weaving & not enjoying myself.
Other issues around the start included lots of supporters in the starting pens or hanging around the side, I understand people want to give moral support but by 15 to start time it's time to leave the race area.
It would have been far better to setup say 10 pens with 5 minute intervals & clear spacing inbetween to resolve some of these issues. Spacing runners better might have also stopped a mass clogging of the course at the dockyard area where everyone came to a stop as the course more than halved in width. This was also an issue between miles 6 & 7 where we came back towards the coast & supporters were encroaching on the course.
The organisation issues were again apparent at the end, masses of friends & family crowding out the race exit, leaving knackered runners to try & filter out.
It's a real shame but I can't be overly positive about this race. Locals were suggesting the field had increased by around 10k from last year, if so I think it's fair to accuse the organisers of being a bit greedy & diminishing the event's enjoyment.
The big plus for this event was the crowd, maybe it's something in the water down in Pompey but the crowd were excellent all the way around the course, making it possible (if not weaving) to run with a smile.
Date of review: October 31, 2011

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

In short: Nice course, excellent facilities & excellent marshalling
In full: Didn't know what to expect from my first 10 mile race, but the Ware 10 miler was an excellent event.
The PA at the start (and the end) was clear. Warm ups for those interested & plenty of space with both the large car park & cricket field to warm up in.
As for the course, a couple of hills in the first 2 miles of each lap, but then progressively downhill / flat with obstacles marked. There was a narrow stretch at the start of each lap, more of an issue during lap 1 when everyone was bunched tightly still.
3 water stations & marshals at every 100m or so it seemed! Excellent support along the way from the marshals & a nice mix of terrain.
Cake stand was excellent (& much needed), technical t shirt always a bonus.

Will be back again next year!
Date of review: October 17, 2011

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

In short: Excellent local race
In full: Recovering from today's Manuden 10k. Not much of a fun run as it's the hottest I've ever run in. Thankfully the organisers had 4 water stations (2 in reality but after 5k you turn back).

A bit packed at the start but the hill at 1k soon spreads the field. The lane to Rickling Green is a nice challenge with views across fields.

When you include a medal & a t-shirt it makes for a bargain of a race. Nice selection of cakes at the school, only downside was that there was no bag drop facility.

Our most local race & a splendid one at that.
Date of review: October 2, 2011

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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		80%

In short: A decent race with a nice downhill finish
In full: Our first time running the Great Bardfield 10k & overall felt it was a decent event.

Wasn't the most pleasant running along a fairly busy country road for 4k of the run, perhaps a more imaginative route could have been taken?

The field areas were a bit of a slog, but would have been far worse had it been wet.

On the organisation front, the use of a megaphone or PA would have been great at the start as the lady couldn't be heard. Would have liked a t-shirt or a medal rather than a water bottle!
Date of review: September 19, 2011

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

In short: Nicely organised & a definate PB race
In full: Three laps of Victoria Park, perfect for a PB hunter. I'd hoped for a 53 min, somehow got a 51:46. Mrs also enjoyed her first 10k.

Atmosphere was good at the end of every lap where the majority of support was. Could have done with some toilets near the start line as this was 600m from the finish area. Also would have been good to have the water station on both sides of the path to spread out runners.

Excellent course though & a nice towel to boot!
Date of review: August 24, 2011

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