My Event Ratings

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

In short: Lacked atmosphere and facilities
In full: Lovely course which was made challenging due to cold, rainy weather leaving me to wade through ankle deep muddy water on several occasions. Throw in multiple, slippery cattle grids with no few marshalled at the gates to further slow the runner down.
Seemed the organisers were trying to hold this event on a shoestring. The start was a non-event and it was unfair to runners to have no toilet facilities at the start - the closest were a 20 minute walk back to the car park. The finish (which my Garmin showed as 26.43 miles from the start) had the final 150 m or so across a sodden grassy area - so cruel on very tired legs and feet. I then spent all of 2 seconds picking up a "goody" bag in a tent before being left to fend for myself. The organisers really should have saved the money on the cheap vest t-shirt and printing a paper certificate and have provided foil blankets and hot drinks - I was fortunate I had some supporters there and was in a local hotel (thanks Normanton Park for the late check out).
I am sure the experience would have been much nicer in good weather, but it is how events are run in bad weather that makes the difference.
Well done to the cadets who were marshalling around the course - the organisers could learn a lot from your enthusiasm.
Sad to say I won't be back.
Date of review: November 5, 2012

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

In short: A huge "thank you" to the marshalls!
In full: What heros. At least I was there to run in the pouring rain because I'd paid to do it - those guys were out in the elements being cheerful and encouraging when they didn't have the runners' madness as an excuse. Great organisation, lovely course, the hills weren't as bad as were expected (thankfully) and had no problems with toilet queues or getting out the car park.
Thanks for a great race and for indulging us runners by standing out in the driving rain.
Date of review: September 23, 2012

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

In short: Well organised, friendly with enough undulations to keep it challenging.
In full: Huge thanks to Handy Cross runners and Grant and Stone for this well organised and friendly event. I enjoyed the course - yes, even the killer uphill in the first mile and downhill just before the halfway point. But then I like hills!
The route back from Bourne End seemed to go on forever, but was flat and could put in some fast, even mile paces.
Water and sponge stations were plentiful and well placed. Cheery marshalls helped make the day as the other support was fairly limited.
The medal was one of the best I've received - had a copy of the route on it which I thought was great. The technical tee-shirt and other goodies in the bag would put other, much more expensive races to shame.

Date of review: July 16, 2012

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

In short: Awesome views and an atmosphere to match
In full: I've got nothing but praise for the organisation and the spectacular views afforded over the route of the course. I chose the event specifically for the challenging route and it certainly lived up to the billing! The race was relatively small and I was very nervous lining up as, although I was in my club colours, I very rarely look round a start line and see such a high proportion of other runners lining up in club vests....and the selection I did see seemed to scream peak or fell runners. Gulp! Fortunately I didn't embarrass myself, but there was no doubt a bit more hill training in the lead up would have given me a better chance of climbing the second of the killer hills (not be be confused with the constant smaller undulations) without having to resort to walking quite so often.
The drinks stations were plentiful and well placed, the marshalls on the course and supporters in the village were enthusiastic and a very welcome sight. But above all the scenery was just immense. As we ran along a ridge road there was way too much of it to take in at one point, then everything closed in as we wound through tree and bluebell lined roads. This is right up there as one of my favourite races ever - I might have to train harder and come back next year and see what I can do.....Thanks to all involved in organising such a great event and sharing your part of the world.
Date of review: May 21, 2012

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

In short: Slick organisation, huge crowd support and a run past the best London has to offer
In full: Not much else I can add apart from to say the dreaded toilet queues and start pen crush weren't at all as bad as expected.
Pretty much constant crowd support keeping moral high.
Superb showcase for London - bring on the Olympics!
Date of review: April 24, 2012

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

In short: Wonderful Day Out - Organised for Runners by Runners, and it showed!
In full: I can only agree with all the sentiments in reviews so far. You could tell that everyone involved in this event was passionate about running. The route took in some challenging hills, spectacular spring scenery and had helpful and fun marshals. £5 entry and a cake and cup of tea to reward everyone at the end - you'd be hard pushed to beat that for value. First time I've run one of the Gade Valley events, and based on this year's experience I can assure you it won't be the last. Well done.
Date of review: March 26, 2012

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

In short: Great marshalling, very friendly race and perfect for pre-spring marathon training
In full: This was my first bash at Finchley 20. I'd heard all sorts of reports from fellow runners about the psychological aspect of running 4 x 5 mile laps. So my strategy to get round was to run with two fellow club runners, treat it as a pre-marathon training run and just enjoy the atmosphere. And I must say, that worked for me. The marshalling and support on the field was first class. The facilities at Hillingdon AC were superb - indoor toilets, showers and even fragrant candles burning in the changing rooms. You spoil us! The course had a few challenges - some slight undulations, the worst of which was over the railway bridge at West Ruislip station, and a fair amount of pavement running which made for rather uneven surfaces. From miles 1-2 there was a significant amount of running on the road. As this hadn't been closed and the early morning drivers didn't seem to be the most sympathetic to 500 distance runners, it seemed at times a little dangerous as the cars came very close when they were passing others going in the opposite direction. A lungful of exhaust fumes while following a car waiting to pass wasn't very welcome either.
The sunshine helped!
Date of review: March 12, 2012

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		80%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		60%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Two PBs here...one in race time and the second in the number of cones run round in a race!
In full: This race has 5 miles of glorious coastal scenery which the organisers eeked out to a half marathon distance. It got a little silly between 3-4 miles when we snaked off the coastal path, into an industrial estate and round a police cone before turning back to fill another 2 miles running up and back to another cone just shy of a roundabout. We then ran back past the start line and along the coast the other way to.....you guessed it.....turn around a cone after 2.5 miles and head to the end.
Just one long line of people snaking along the coast which got messy when we hit bottlenecks.
Maybe the change next year to the start/finish might erradicate this, I do hope so.
Otherwise, the course has great PB potential - pancake flat. There were adequate toilet facilities, but sadly no showers. The car park was carnage when I left - took us a good half hour to get out which isn't good with tired legs.
The atmosphere was very friendly, however, lots of friends and family out braving the wind to support at the start/finish point which was passed 3 times.
I must say, having travelled from London I'm a little disappointed overall with the event but I think that the changes to be made next year may erradicate some of the downsides that I've mentioned.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: Two Laps Around Harrow Hill and Environs
In full: First time running this race and I'll be back next year. Found the hills a bit tough but rewarded with a nice, long downhill. Friendly marshalls, the sun shone, worth doing.
Date of review: February 22, 2012

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

In short: Picturesque course, encouraging marshalls - but no showers for the ladies!
Date of review: January 22, 2012

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