My Event Ratings

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

In short: Route not as good as last year, but still nice
In full: Changing the route because of the mud last year was bound to bring out dry weather!

It wasn't quite as scenic as going through the bluebell woods, though is still very nice. The weather brought out crowds of people into Cassiobury park, so some areas were a little busy with walkers and cyclists (and runners going the other way), but on the whole it was pretty good. Wouldn't have minded being diverted through the paddling pool in the heat!

It's a shame that the course seems to have been short, as I got under an hour for the first time ever. I'd probably do it again, but would prefer the old route.

Incidentally, parking (particularly on a hot day, when lots of people didn't even realise the race was on) can be problematic. I'd consider parking at Croxley, one stop down from Watford on the met line and getting the tube. Watford met is just by Cassiobury Park and has toilets without queues.
Date of review: May 8, 2013

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

In short: Friendly, good facilities at start/finish
In full: Easy parking at the beginning, the wetherspoons and local cafes were open early for coffee and toilets.

The run is flat, although you do have the bottleneck at the subway near the start. Lots of support all the way round, great stewards. Some nice villages and views of the Thames.

Nice to be able to use the showers at the local gym right in town afterwards. Didn't do the baggage drop as the parking was so close.
Date of review: September 17, 2012

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Overall score		60%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		80%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Nice to have done it once
In full: Great route and atmosphere, but probably wouldn't do again. Didn't get to the start line until 35 minutes after the gun, and being an average to slow runner, had to deal with both walkers in front and faster runners coming from behind.

My wife's bag was left unguarded at the baggage drop when we got back, and there was quite a queue for the t shirts. Potentially a great race, but needs better organisation and perhaps less runners.
Date of review: July 20, 2012

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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: Great day despite the weather
In full: Very enjoyable despite the weather - a scenic course, hilly in parts, with the bluebells out. Good stewarding along the way, and easy to get to with the metropolitan line station being nearby.

If you are coming by tube, it's worth using the station loos to avoid the queues. Great atmosphere, would recommend!
Date of review: May 8, 2012

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

In short: Decent choice for first ever 10k
In full: My first race since a half marathon 20+ years ago!

Has a long climb on the golf course, but otherwise quite nice, away from roads on the Moor Park estate. Good atmosphere and with stewards on corners, nice and friendly, two water stations. Shame the Metropolitan Line was closed for engineering works as wouldn't have needed to drive there (replacement bus awkward).

Good if you've got friends/family watching as there's a couple of circuits of the sports field at the start before you get on the road.

Will do again as fairly local to us.
Date of review: September 26, 2011

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