My Event Ratings

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

In short: Innaugural race. Good route, if hilly. Tons of bands. Should be good when established.
In full: This is my first half so I haven't much for comparison other than the Great Edinburgh 10k I did last year.
This is the first time this race series has come to the UK and they brought the US model with them. That meant you were supposed to pick up your number at the expo on Saturday, which wasn''t convenient for some and the expo itself was a bit lacklustre I think.
Organisation on the day was ok it seemed. Long queues for toilets (not for the urinals though) and there appeared to be a big queue at the bag drop.
If you want to see Edinburgh the course is great. Rather than doing what the EMF does and run you straight out of town, this one takes you along the Forth and then back up (and up) into town, where the route is much the same as the Great Ed 10k. Generally, the first half is flat/downhill, the next quarter is up and the last quarter is a mixutre but ends on a big downhill - sadly for me the end wasn't where I expected it to be so I had an unpleasant extra 400m.
They reckoned they had 5000 runners, which was ok. There were a few people out supporting but what really made this was the bands roughly every mile, which bashed out tunes and shouted encouragement.
Tons of water, sport drinks and gel stops on th way, certainly more than I needed but nice to have.
There was a concert following the race but someone else will have to review that as I headed off elsewhere for a sit down. The end is at the start, in Holyrood park, so lots of space for warm up/cool down and for kids to much about.
The medal is quite cool, and pretty heavy too so you can have your own Mr T look.
The race is back next year so hopefully will get bigger and better.

Date of review: April 15, 2012

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

In short: Well planned route through Edinburgh. A few hills but downhill at the end. Good organisation.
In full: With the caveat that this was my first 10k, I thought this was a very good race and a good day.
The organisation seemed fine to me. Certainly I had no problems and, as a first-timer, knew what I was supposed to be doing when. There was an organised warm up at the start which people joined in and enjoyed.
There were a few hills but you have to expect that in Edinburgh. Thinking about it, the route was well planned as it could have been a lot steeper, and there was a big downhill on the way back.
It would have been nice to see more spectators, but the rain had been torrential up to the start, which probably put people off.
I knew a few people that ran the race and a few who spectated and they all enjoyed it. I plan on going back next year.
Date of review: October 5, 2011

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