My Event Ratings

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

In short: Tough and Rewarding
In full: In previous years the masochists made you run uphill for 2 miles in temperatures of about a million degrees. You then stumbled and weaved the 3 miles to the finish in a heat-induced trance. This year, in a new twist, they made you run up the same hill in about a million degrees despite the forecasts of a nice cooling drizzle then plunged you into a mudbath to swim slowly to the finish. It's a bit sily, it doesn't suit me and it hurts quite a lot, but I really enjoy this race (afterwards). It's brilliantly organised, has a great fete for the spectators, is run through some lovely countryside, is superbly marshalled by friendly, encouraging people and you won't run anything else quite like it. So I suppose what I'm saying is that it's tough and rewarding. Just read the one line summary. It'll save you some time.
Date of review: July 9, 2012

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

In short: Good Race in an Excellent Location
In full: For many reasons this is unlikely to be a stand out race, but it is a reasonably fast, reasonably well-organised and reasonably scenic event in a park that is excellent for families and spectators.

The sharp twists and turns and slight climbs make it difficult to get a PB here, though probably not impossible. The organisation is mixed with good marshalling offset by poor signage of the start and the car park. Facilities are OK at best.

However, the location, space and scenery are great for those coming to watch on a sunny day.

Southampton AC could probably stand to take notice of some of the feedback on the issues faced and value of this race - it's slightly concerning that the same problems occur year after year - but overall it's a good race that I at least will continue to support.
Date of review: May 16, 2011

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

In short: Excellent organisation and an interesting course
In full: My 3rd running of this race - I've run it now in snow and hot sunshine - and my slowest (although highest position). The organisation is always excellent. And it needs to be with a reasonable amount of traffic to manage and a lot of faster runners lapping slower ones at narrow points on the course. The goody bag is also generous. Clearly the course is not easy with a substantial kilometre-long hill so not really one for a PB but ratehr one to test yourself on and see how high you can finish Really excellent support in the start/finish area which you pass four times in total. I'd highly recommend it for beginners and experienced runners alike.
Date of review: April 26, 2011

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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		80%

In short: Extraordinary. A race for the runner who likes to think differently.
In full: I love this race. It is all I am bad at in running: hills, distance, terrain. And that's why I love it. It's a different challenge. I've done it 8 times now and still haven't worked out how you cover the last 4 downhill miles at anything other than a pain-filled, grimacing plod. It has a fantastic atmosphere, really amazing views, is organised damn near perfectly and is different every year (well, except for the pain, that's been consistent). The coach journey to the start, police escort (to the earlier poster who complained about this, are you saying that you would prefer NOT to have police support for races? If so, you are George Osbourne and I claim my £10) and cakes all add to the main event: you and 16 miles across the Hampshire countryside.
Date of review: April 7, 2011

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