My Event Ratings

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

In short: Challenging run through woods and alongside the river
In full: A good route with some steep up and downhill sections. About half a mile on tarmac the rest on muddy paths through woods and compacted towpath. Has the potential to be very muddy and slippery although this year it was dry so wasn't a problem. The marshals were very cheerful, vocal and encouraging - makes a change from the all too common silent ones. There could have been more info on the website about parking options though as they are very limited.
Date of review: April 8, 2013

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

In short: Undulating off-road route through great scenery
In full: Some hills, so PB is unlikely. 11 miles is off-road on compacted trails and in dry conditions road shoes will be fine, even in wet they would probably be OK. Scenery is great which helps to take your mind off the uphill sections. The route is wide enough to ensure there is no crowding after the first mile - unlike most big city events. The organisation is fine - the route well marshalled and signposted, the car parking is right next to the start and finish line (no need for bag storage).
Date of review: April 8, 2013

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

In short: An above average big urban half marathon
In full: A pretty flat course and in theory should have plenty of PB potential but there were too many narrow stretches where overtaking was difficult, it was 5 miles before I was able to run at my own pace and without weaving around other runners. Some of the signage around the start could be improved to make it more visible, there's no point putting signs at waist height when you have 14,000 people milling around. The bag storage though was well organised and manned.
Date of review: February 25, 2013

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

In short: Very hilly with mixed surfaces - fields, muddy paths and compacted tracks. It was a challenging route but fabulous scenery and not crowded, probably only 120 runners.
Date of review: February 25, 2013

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

In short: A good off-road run with a mixture of woods and hillside fields. I would say undulating rather than hilly, it's more the surface than the inclines that are the challenge. Trail shoes are recommended. Would defo do it again.
Date of review: February 20, 2013

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		60%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Tough but beautiful race
In full: The course is very tough with steep uphill and downhill sections, also lots of places where overtaking isn't possible, so no potential for a PB. My PB is 1:42 but this event was 2:10. Course has some very beautiful sections around the top of the gorge and through summer meadows and woodland which helps to take your mind off the hard running. Terrain was mostly muddy or grassy so off-road shoes are the best option. Nice small friendly event.
Date of review: July 10, 2012

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