My Event Ratings

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

In short: My first marathon made special by great organisation and turnout
In full: This was my first marathon after five half-marathons, and did I find it tough! despite reasonable training, I found the undulations quite difficult as I couldn't get a rythmn. Unlike my two training routes which are both relatively flat, with moderate inclines on path and road, this was more bridleway and mudtrack on gentle but continuous rolling hills.
The organisation was fantastic, as were the crowds, I have never been so excited to see wet sponges!
Date of review: May 14, 2013

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Very good, but why not make it a little better?
In full: I went into this race feeling it would be a flat path around a lake, within 1K I realised this was not the case! Could have benefitted from another water stop, perhaps at 4k and 7k? In the hot sun there was little respite for the runners, a number of which could have benefitted. Also, I think running the course in reverse order would have prevented a slow, kettling start across a narrow bridge, this would have been a good mechanism for a finish, with the finish, being a nice open wide area to use as the start (albeit around half a mile away from the car area). One other slight matter, it was a shame that there are very few 5 or 10k races in the Colchester area, the Alton Water 10k race was advertised, with me and some freinds booking it, only to find that the Colchester 10k was released four days later on the same day... perhaps the organisers should liaise with each other to spread them out a little,(rotary club organised I believe) I would have been happy to do both, instead, I fear that some of the Alton Water runners DNS because they went for the undersubscribed Colchester 10K race to get a PB, or better position.(only around 200 runners in Colchester 10K, so didn't benefit the charity as much as it could..) I would have race both if they were a week apart. This isn't really a criticism, just something to consider because there are hardly any 10k races in the area, then (like buses!) we get two.
Thanks for a well organised race in a great setting.
Date of review: May 9, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: A nice, relatively flat outing, good PB potential. Didn't like the finish... would have preferred a straight end,
In full: A nice, relatively flat outing, good PB potential. Didn't like the finish... would have preferred a straight end, I nearly sprinted with tired legs to what I thought was the finish, only to find the turn, and a quarter to a third extra mile to the finish. (and couldn't see the time) so I am eager to see the results!

Other than that, perfect, well organised, good conditions, good marshalling and support, nice goody bag.
Date of review: March 28, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator

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

In short: Fairly flat, a good first half-marathon course.
In full: This was my first soiree into half-marathon running, and I must say on the whole I enjoyed it. There was not too much banter, people seemed friendly, but most were serious runners getting ready for marathons. On the whole, it was well marshalled and well organised, there were problems with the approach road being full of cars, but this wasn't the race organisers fault.. Martin did put in the welcome notes about avoiding filling up the road. It started about ten minutes late which was fine, chip timing was a bonus, but presumably this is increasingly becoming the norm? Was good and flat, and a great introduction to half-marathons. Its' open nature meant that for the last three or four miles, there appeared to be a head-wind! probably psychological! This location was convenient for me, so I would definately do this one again. Not the most exciting route, flat and only a view of sheep and marsh, there were some pot-holes along the route to watch out for. Thanks to the organisers.
Date of review: March 17, 2011

Report this rating to the moderator