My Event Ratings

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

In short: Excellent event, although rip off price
In full: Quick gripe, price - rip off. The improvements made since last year don't warrant the extra fee. I can see where most of our money went though with Haile Gebrselassie running.

Now the positives,it is a great race, really well organised. I've run three in Birmingham now and have enjoyed every one of them. Not sure why people are whining about the hills - I don't really like them either but we don't live in the Netherlands so you can't easily avoid them in a long distance race.

Big Tip: Train on some hills people and stop whining like great big babies !

Will run next year depending entry fee hasn't increased.
Date of review: October 29, 2011

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

In short: Very friendly and well organised event with excellent support and a great finish !
In full: I wasn't planning to do this race until a member of my club pulled out a couple of weeks ago - great that the organisers allow transfers, shows this is run by people who who truly appreciate runners (take note miserly money grabbers Bupa and VLM). Great start, nice course, with brilliant support by the locals. The water stations were fantastic; well organised and very vocal ! Nice couple of miles along the river toward the end (great support there too) and great finish in front of the main stand at Chester Racecourse. Great medal and tech shirt too.
Note to organisers: Don't change a thing - other than remove a couple of those pesky hills ! Thank you !
Date of review: October 9, 2011

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

In short: Well organised event, would do again.
In full: This is for the half marathon. OK, so the scenery is a bit dull but it's not that important. Great organisation and certainly well worth the fee. Have run quite a few now and can say it wasn't the best atmosphere amongst the runners at the start nor during the race - not sure why, maybe the grey clouds overhead...with that said the crowds that did turn out were great and certainly helped support us. I think the bike event could have started a little earlier as they there were a few causing some issue at the start - also need to get some predicted finish time pens or signs up, too many slower runners at the front. All in all, good event, with a PB in the bag. Well done to those who ran in any of the events.
Date of review: September 5, 2011

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

In short: Different type of race, well worth running.
In full: First time out on the BBCHM, thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it felt at times like a training session, with not many runners around you. The tunnel is fun, it's great when you see it looming up ahead of you. I fell on the wooden bridge when you first cross the canal, one of the planks lifted which tripped me...so my advice is to watch your footing, even off the towpath ! The hot, sunny weather and the fall didn't affect me too much and I managed to finish sub 1.40, which is a PB. Had to sprint like a loon at the end to achieve it though. Excellent event, well worth the money and the pain !
Date of review: July 4, 2011

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

In short: Wet and challenging
In full: First time at this event, excellent organisation with brave marshaling in the very wet weather. Nice long hill to finish up on which made the course nicely challenging. Will certainly do it again next year. I hear that the chip timing didn't work which is a shame but shouldn't be too much of a negative. Well done to Aldridge Running Club.
Date of review: June 13, 2011

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

In short: A challenging course - well worth running
In full: First half is a challenge with long hills but there is some respite with a very fast downhill on the ring road before the last "big" hill. The second half is downhill and flat. Shame about the coned off Kirkstall Road section (and that blooming headwind on the day). Support was a bit rubbish once out of town for about a mile or so but improved later. Great crowds at the end made it worthwhile. I Got my PB of 1:40 on this so should be happy ! My daughter also loved the Jane Tomlinson mini fun run. Overall a good race which I think will improve and mature over time.
Date of review: May 9, 2011

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