My Event Ratings

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

In short: Disappointing. "Flat and fast" should read "Narrow, twisty and congested"
In full: No time markers at the start so running into back of walkers and joggers from the start - took about 4 miles to clear them due to narrow course. Narrow again in park at 11 miles. Very difficult to maintain race pace.
No toilets on course - not nice seeing ladies squatting in the trees.
Mile markers missing or hidden between miles 5 and 9 and again later on second lap. could be due to congestion though.

I imagine this used to be a cracking marathon but the size of the field has outgrown the course and the organisation hasn't taken account of the increased numbers. Needs better organisation at the start and maybe a different route to allow runners to get into their pace quickly.
Date of review: October 16, 2006

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

In short: They don't come any better than this.
In full: Lost count of how many times I've done this one and it is always superbly organised with excellent facilities. Done PBs twice in the last few years despite the hilly course. Not this year due to recovering from injury but had a great run and enjoyed chatting with others instead of going flat out. Will be back every year.
Date of review: December 12, 2005

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:

In short: Didn't do it this year but usually do - comments as a spectator
In full: Amazed by the lack of organisation at the half marathon / full marathon split after all these years. The leader and eventual winner went the wrong way with no-one to guide him. Then someone got their act together.
Motorbikes were definitely a liability - one pulled out straight in front of a runner at Wollaton Park. On the full marathon they were constantly running up and down the course including the narrow riverside path and often with pillion passengers with no helmets.
Surprised that the lace panel doesn't appear to be Nottingham lace but more of a woven material - can anyone confirm this?
Date of review: September 12, 2005

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

In short: Excellent four race series
In full: All four races challenging - called 'Hilly' not just because of the sponsorship but also cos of the terrain. All are tough and being on consequetive days makes it harder but well worth doing especially if you're bored with the 'round the park' type of event. Fourth race is the hardest - 2 miles uphill (very steep in places) followed by 2 miles back down.
Only minor gripe - would have liked a better (medium) t-shirt to celebrate doing all four races.
Date of review: May 31, 2005

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

In short: Disappointing route, feels like the organisers missed something.
In full: Disappointing route, 1 1/2 times round the football pitch then out onto the Trent Embankment - hurray, but no - the route then runs along the road, down some scrubland then steeply up a cycle track to run alongside the 7 lane dual carriageway of the outer ring road. Down underneath then through a housing estate and back to the school.
Can't help thinking the route should use more of the Embankment.
Won't do it again.
Date of review: May 23, 2005

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

In short: Excellent race, well organised
In full: First time I'd done this one and really enjoyed it. Impressed by organisation but agree with other comments on non-secure baggage area. Being close to station it could be ideal for those from Nottingham, Long Eaton etc to get there by train but need good baggage areas in this case. Route was a bit twisty and the narrow bit between the bus station and the courts was unfortunate (and not very well marshalled) so faster runners had to squeeze past the masses going in the other direction.
All in all a good day out, nice t-shirt and chip timing too.
Date of review: May 23, 2005

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

In short: Very enjoyable half marathon. Shame they ran out of water at the finish
Date of review: November 1, 2004

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

In short: Very friendly, well organised
In full: Good countryside run coupled with school fete. Route mostly good underfoot although would be muddy if wet. Mildly challenging but not so hard as to deter first timers.
Date of review: August 30, 2004

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