My Event Ratings

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

In short: Friendly, well organised, challenging run
In full: First club event for Cwm Ogwr Running Club but you'd never have guessed as the organisation was excellent. A friendly atmosphere beforehand with the 90 odd runners from several different clubs and a lot of beginner runners from the local community chatting inside in the Leisure Centre.

The actual run includes 5 inclines nicely spread out over the 5 miles although the major one is up first and therefore out of the way early. Some support from locals but hoping there'll be many more in future years once more people know about the event. Marshalls were excellent giving encouragement and support to all runners.

Nice presentation for the male and female senior / veterns top 3 with trophies and prizes handed out. Results posted on website within a couple of hours of the final finisher.

Really enjoyable event and speaking to people afterwards, everyone else agreed. Hopefully everyone will be back again next year - I certainly will.
Date of review: May 13, 2013

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

In short: Challenging course but lots of fun
In full: This is actually reviewing 2012 race but that wasn't an option above.

After a few 'normal' road 5K's, 10K's, Half Marathons and a Marathon, I decided to try something different... and it was definitely that. A tough 2 mile ascent to start with, followed by 3 miles of udulating grass, mud, gravel, farm path terrain, and a very welcome steep 1 mile decent to finish.

The mud was pretty bad but it had been dry most of the week including race day so could have been a lot worse... or more fun depending on how you want to look at it. The marshalls were excellent with every one of them cheering on the runners and teasing us we were over the worst of the mud when there was clearly much more to come.

No medal or t-shirt at the end, but entrance fee kept to a minimum as a result which is great. A cup of soup and a roll went down very nicely instead. Also, they were typing in the finishing times as people were coming through so you could find out your 'official' time straight after and they had results on the website the same day which isn't always the case with non-chip timed events.

Overall, a very friendly, well organised race, and despite the hills and mud, popular with local non-club runners / beginners as well.

Disappointed with my time this year which makes me even more determined to come back next year and try again!
Date of review: November 19, 2012

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

In short: Really enjoyed but maybe need for stricter rules with Elite / Fun Run
In full: My first Nos Galan experience was really good. Atmosphere was brilliant, fireworks before Elite race were amazing, and although drizzly throughout, very mild for New Years Eve.

Only negative would be that I think all runners who expect to finish under say 21 minutes should be told to enter Elite Race but particualrly anyone over 21 minutes in the Fun Run as the Fun Run was held up due to a bloke dressed as Santa entering the Elite Race and finishing in about 30 minutes+?! Think the organisers were probably a bit suprised by the numbers and the course was probably a bit narrow for that amount of runners.

However, it is supposed to be a fun run and I'm sure most people will have had a few too many drinks / mince pies over the festive period to worry about PB's anyway. Hopefully results will be up soon.
Date of review: January 2, 2012

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

In short: Liked the new route - definite PB potential
In full: Enjoyed the new route although the doubling back on the dual carriageway wasn't ideal. Bit cramped in the pens at the beginning but surely this is the same in any event with over 10,000 runners. Maybe they could consider a 2 wave system like Bristol though which had similar amount of runners this year. Would love to finish in Millenium Stadium which they did a few years ago or Cardiff City Stadium as an alternative. Well organised and I'll almost certainly be back for 2012.


Oh, and I beat my PB by over 6 minutes to finish in 2:03:08 even though I'd agree with others that it was probably a slightly harder route than last year despite the organisers claims it was improved for PB potential.
Date of review: October 18, 2011

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

In short: Slightly disappointing
In full: Course: Didn’t like the first 7 or so miles running on that same stretch of road – feels like you’re never going to get to the turning point. The latter stages seemed to include all the inclines which it’d be nicer to get them out of the way early. On the plus side, loads of water / Lucazade stations with plenty of tables and 200m / 100m signs on approach.

Organization: Asked one of the marshals where the red start was and he didn’t know. Seemed to be a lot of people who were unsure where to go. I liked the 2 wave system but maybe a couple of signs pointing to where the different coloured starts are would help. Think they could segregate it further by having sections within each colour… sub 2 hours at front, then sub 2:10 etc to minimise need for overtaking in the first couple of miles although this wasn’t too bad.

Atmosphere: Strange – hardly anyone for first 7 miles understandably as it’s all on a main road with nothing around. Lots of people watching in the city but I swear at one point there must have been 200 people in one section with less than 10 of them clapping / cheering. I appreciatte they can’t constantly clap / cheer for 3+ hours but that’s ridiculous. On a positive note - Heart FM stations were good and all the charity supporters who cheer on everyone even if your not running for them.

Goodie Bag – as others said – best part was the bag, contents disappointing. Really like the t-shirt although wish I’d got small rather than medium. Bit of a walk after finish line to get medal / goodie bag.

Beat my only previous half marathon times by an incredible… 2 seconds! Still a new PB so pleased with that. Would do again if course was altered (no doubling back on the same road) although I appreciate in a major city this is difficult.

Date of review: September 12, 2011

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

In short: Great alternative if you don't get in for London. Fab scenary and very friendly
In full: This was my first marathon so nothing to compare it to, but everything was great. Commentator kept everyone smiling, volunters were encouraging, and small field made it easy to go at your own pace right from the start.

Very hot day as it apparently was the previous year so be prepared. 2 lap format can be a bit daunting for first time marathoners - especially seeing the signs with 23 / 24 when you've only on mile 10 or 11. The 2 laps did mean passing my supporters on 4 occassions though which was helpful for refreshments as no sports drink provided. They might want to re-think the water stops as they seemed a bit eratic with one at 3.5 miles and then a long gap before the chance of up to 4 water stops between 8-13 miles.

Applied for London next year but will definitely go for this one again if I'm unsuccesful.
Date of review: May 4, 2011

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