My Event Ratings

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

In short: The most amazing experience for my first half-marathon
In full: I chose this event for my 1st Half marathon and trained from zero fitness in April and was able to run comfortably up to 11 miles, saving the half-marathon achievement until the day. Early morning nerves replaced with excitement as soon as I got the bridge over-looking the start and the two hour wait flew by although could do with some toilets along the outside of the pens as once you're in there's no going back!! Met some friends from RW and others before the start and the warm-up and red arrows fly past was excellent. I started on the left at the start but soon moved over to the right for more space after the Tyne Bridge, everything about the run was well organised, drinks station positions and marshalls and the crowd were exceptional. The rain at 6 miles was refreshing but the monsoon a little later made things a little harder. I won't dwell on someone being worked on by paramedics but my split time was ok for around 2hrs 2mins at 11 miles but unfortunatley my left calf stiffened up on the final climb and by the time I tuned the corner for the final mile it was a case of keeping going spurred on the magnificant crowd and other runners and finished in 2:08:56. Organisation at the end was good and meeting my wife in time for the red arrows fly-past topped off one of the best experiences of my life. I will definitely be back again but now I know that I really need to train to run the distance and introduce hill training although for a first experience completing the distance only on the day adds to the achievement and with over £700 raised for my charity I am a happy runner
Date of review: September 22, 2011

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