My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great race - just needs a few tweaks
In full: This was the first time I have done this race and I did enjoy it. Atmosphere was great, marshalls were very encouraging and smiley and the support from the locals/day trippers was great.

A few suggestions - for a race that is getting bigger (2000 entrants this year) there is a pitiful shortage of toilets - you'd think the council would open the public loos at the car park behind the castle.....

Bottles of water would be better than the little cartons being handed out, and maybe isotonic drinks could be offered? (Like they do at Chester). If I didn't have my own bottle of water with me to 'top up' on the cartons I'd have been in trouble.

Also, distinct lack of marshalls on the downhill section of the Orme and on the route from West Shore back to Deganwy, so if you got into trouble there you'd be banking on the good nature of fellow runners or walkers to get help for you.

On the up side though, two fabulous t-shirts and a lovely medal - although I did have to queue for quite a long time to get this and my partner didn't even know he had to go and find them - could they not be handed out just after you cross the finish line??

Otherwise, a challenging and enjoyable race with fabulous crowds lining the finish area.
Date of review: November 19, 2012

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		80%
Value		40%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Great race, but done it now
In full: Fabulous atmosphere, great warm up and second to none support from the public. I ran this with a smile on my face because the buzz is amazing.

Done it twice now and have enjoyed it on both occasions.

Only gripe - if you're going to walk, move to the side of the road and start at the back of the wave!
Date of review: May 21, 2012

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

In short: First half marathon - certainly challenging
In full: Excellent organisation at the start - quick and easy baggage drop. Due to our postman folding my race number (and hence ruining my chip!!) I had to transfer my number, but this was done quickly and smoothly, with no stress.

Nice route, very scenic and fantastic support from the locals which is exactly what you need. A couple of sharp inclines ( I won't use the word 'hills') which were quite testing, especially that last one, which I did have to walk. However, all that was made up for by the fabulous finish which was sensational. Thank you to all the locals/supporters for hanging around to cheer the tail enders in.

Great weather, fabulous support, great water stations - would it be possible to put electrolyte drinks on the later stations? - and special thanks to the young man in the last housing estate for a much needed and appreciated dousing with a hose pipe.

Many thanks to a lady called Hayley who ran the last 3 miles with me and basically got me round - we crossed the line together which was nice.

The funnel finish was great, and I particularly liked that I could choose my own size of t-shirt instead of adding another one that doesn't fit to my collection.

The walk back to the racecourse made for a really good cooldown and the massages were fantastic - £5 very well spent and means I'm not aching anywhere near as much as I should be! No long queues either made it even better!

This was my first half marathon and although I found the second half incredibly difficult (due to setting off a bit too fast and the hot weather) I thought it was a fabulous event. Well done to Chris, Andy, Elaine and the rest of the team who were helpful, patient and whose hard work paid off in a flawlessly organised event.
Date of review: May 15, 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		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Muddy and slippy but worth it
In full: Weather made for tough conditions, but that made it all the more enjoyable.

Great venue, the walk to the start is perfect for a warm up and no more than 5 or 10 mins.

Fantastic marshalls who were supportive and cheerful, even in the pouring rain. Good organisation although feel they missed a trick in not having hot food/drinks stands at the Boys Club - supporters would have appreciated it.

The ladies t-shirts are tiny - even the XL - not all lady runners are skinny minnies you know!

Otherwise, brilliant and hope to be back next year, commitments permitting.
Date of review: December 14, 2011

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