My Event Ratings

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

In short: May not be the best organised but would run again
In full: Done a handful of times and would continue doing again, could be biased by the fact I only live less than 10 minutes from the start! Another PB after all these years, but like any relatively big races, there's a lot of weaving around all through the 10km, not just at the start!

Read they were giving out Nectar gels at 5km (which was new I think, don't remember this from previous years. However, did not notice any such gels being given out!

My gripe about the technical T-shirts is that, was there actually a size S, as there were only medium T-shirts available, and I had ticked small on my application, but now can't wear my way-too-large medium to run in, but felt I can't complain as I actually got a T-shirt compared to those who didn't, although they can now write in and asked for the right size!

I agree with the others that the finish was poorly staffed, there was a sign and a bucket on the floor for the chips, but unless you know where to look for it, there is no one to tell you where it is.

Would love to have medals again, they were given out many years ago, but not in the recent years.

Overall, I wasn't too bothered by the organisational issues, maybe because I ran it a few times already and saw past these issues. Will definitely do it again.
Date of review: November 19, 2012

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

In short: A well organised BUPA run
In full: Registered the week before as a last minute decision to use it as a warm up for the GNR. First time doing it, read about the killer hills, so had advanced warning but that did not make the hills any easier, especially near the finish!

There was a 'peaceful' feel at the start. People seemed to be very subdued - may be due to the heat, it was 17c but sunny so quite hot for a run.

Very impressed with the number of toilets available, it's the only race so far I've attended where there were more toilets than queues! Does make a huge difference not to feel rushed at the start.

I thought the water and shower stations were slightly off where they were stated to be on the booklet, which could have affected some people's running plans, although it is only 10k.

It was typical BUPA prices, but there is a nice medal and a t-shirt (not technical) and some goodies in the goody bag.

Overall it was enjoyable, and I would do it again next year. Will make it a regular annual event, only as it is easy to travel to for me from Leeds
Date of review: September 25, 2012

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

In short: It's addictive, once you start, you can't stop!
In full: It was my 7th GNR, and thankfully, it does feel easier each passing year! I used to really feel the hills, but not anymore, don't notice them anymore.

Having started from different zones in the past (green, white, various oranges), I'd say the the starting position does affect the overall time despite it being chipped timed.

The atmosphere and the crowd is always electric. The only negatives are the toilet queues - why year after year, the number of toilets just never increase despite very long queues. This was not a problem at the recent Great Yorkshire Run where there were more toilets than queues! Also, the times on the lollipop the pacemakers were carrying were very small. When they are far ahead, the words pacemaker were large enough but not the times! I think if they had only the time on, that should be sufficient, we know they are pacemakers. Thankfully they had the times on their T-shirts, large enough, but again not visible when they're surrounded by crowds of runners!

Overall I highly recommend it, especially for first timers to a half marathon.
Date of review: September 21, 2012

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