My Event Ratings

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

In short: Only reason I won't do it again is I never do the same marathon twice.....
In full:

This was a great fun marathon, first prize goes to the marshals as they couldn't have been nicer to us. Weather was wet but even that couldn't spoil the fun and the scenery was great. Why is it not more popular as it deserves to be? Really good PB potential as it is mostly flat but with enough hills to keep you going, plenty of serious marathoners around but once you get over the panic you can also see a good number of first timers. Goody bag not that great but better than some I have had, Tshirt is nice though and a Mars is always welcome!
I stayed at The Cross Guest House just out of town and I can tell you it was perfect pre-marathon accommodation, big comfy bed, hot shower and plenty of space to lay out kit. The only thing to watch out for is the town does lack good race food for the night before - unless you count fish and chips!
Date of review: October 4, 2010

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

In short: Fab!
In full: I love this race, cold but fun. The only shame was that despite being asked not to wear headphones one woman did, what she didn't notice was people fighting to avoid her!
The organisers got it all right this year, friendly marshalls, fun atmosphere and good organisation. Thank you all
Date of review: January 4, 2010

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

In short: Great race!
In full: This was a lovely race and I got a PB!
The course was great and some of the best marshals I have ever come across in a race, lots of local support in places too. The only shame is those who run over 5hrs can't join the fun and it would be a great race for a slower first timer.
But for me I had fun and it was the first time I had ever ran a marathon without my trusty ipod, taught me I can do it without!
Thank you marshals, locals and all those who took part.
Date of review: October 20, 2009

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

In short: Once more into the hills!
In full: I love this race, good people, well organised and with views to savour why wouldn't anybody do it?
Yes it is hilly but you do get to see some beautiful sights that no other run offers you and enough support to give you that little bit of help along the way.
Date of review: September 28, 2009

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

In short: I look forward to this each year
In full: This is a great race and I look forward to it each year as a mini holiday from the hard slog of training. A great mix of abilities and good support from the sidelines. I run this area a lot as I only live in Ringwood but I do love the fun that is generated at this event. Nice goody bag and medal, chocolate bar and water was enjoyed on the way home!
Date of review: June 22, 2009

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

In short: This is a really nice run
In full: Have done this every year and I love it. I get to eat chocolate in the morning and then run it all of at 11.30!
Very well organised in a rather fun way, a bit like my Dad would do things but that is no bad thing.
Good course, although I did notice that the route taken didn't match that given in the pack but no problem. End is cruel with a lo9ng slog around the park that drains you and takes a lot of effort in public!
The man on thr mike was funny he had a way of saying people were still coming out of the forest that made it sound as if he thought they were too slow and c**p! Sure he didn't mean it though and I don't think those coming out of the forest could hear him!
Nice tshirt, water but sadly no medal for the 10k runners, those doing the fun run got medals though.
Date of review: April 14, 2009

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

In short: The Weather was on side!
In full: Finally got to do the race with the weather being kind to us all, no rain or high wind. Really nice run this one, only two hills and one of them not too bad at all.
No goody bag at the end but a nice T shirt and medal, best medal so far we all thought, and nice to get some water.
Well done to the organisers I thought it went very well.

Date of review: April 14, 2009

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

In short: Nice in parts!
In full: This run was nice in parts but grotty in others - shame really as it didn't do Leicester proud.
I had a hard time trying to find the bag drop off point and was so delayed in the sports centre that I made it to the back of the race just as it started, had to ditch my banana and run. Apart from bits not being that scenic I enjoyed the views and it wasn't Leicester's fault I got runners trots and vomiting but I could have done with a few more bushes to hid in! Sorry for any distress caused to my fellow runners and to the marshal at mile 5(ish) whose car I used to hide behind!
I got lost on the last roundabout due to the marshals being called away for an incident else ware - I ended up on the dual carriageway and had to turn around and try another direction, 2nd time lucky! Thought I was going to die on the last 2 miles uphill but to be fair I knew it was coming up as I had read the feedback from the year before.
Wont be doing it again, I am working my way through as many UK marathons as well as Euro capitals so no return visits to any marathons for me! I would recommend this one though as it is flat and fast also very enthusiastic marshals.
Date of review: December 29, 2008

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

In short: Lovely run
In full: I enjoy this race every year. As far as the 10k was concerned no hiccups but I was glad I didn't run the 5k as that seemed a shambles, shame as many first timers might choose this option. After my run I ran in with a friend on the 5k and she had to wiggle through a small gap and run around the people queuing at the burger bar!

As far as I was concerned a lovely run in beautiful scenery on what can only be described as a perfect day - back next year.

Date of review: December 29, 2008

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

In short: 4th year and great fun
In full: I love this run, every year the view changes, the fog this year was lovely. Good run for shedding a few Christmas pounds ready for the New Year. Could have done with either more people or signs on the entrances, I know Somerley well as I am local but in the fog I got lost in the grounds! Thank you to the marshals, as always very friendly
Date of review: January 3, 2008

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