My Event Ratings

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

In short: Do it if convenient...don't go out of your way.
In full: Done it twice, decent race. On the plus side, friendly, well-organised, good atmosphere. On the down-side, ridiculously expensive (25 quid on the day is a joke), pretty average freebies, not a really fast course. I live near in MK and run this in years when I'm around and it's convenient. But I wouldn't go out of my way to do it and at the price now, I don't think I'll do it again.
Date of review: July 20, 2008

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

In short: Adds new meaning to the phrase "I've got wind..."
In full: Recommended. Faster runners won't find this to be a genuine PB course but it is scenic and the race is well organised. As for the weather...(and reading reports from previous years, wind and rain seem to be a permanent feature.)


Date of review: May 21, 2007

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

In short: Did what it said on the tin; not much more, not much less.
In full: I find it hard to write poor race reviews because volunteers and clubs keep the sport going and for that, no deserves to be panned. But I have to say, for me this doesn't make my highlight reel. The first 3K up and down the butt-end of a disused airfield, especially in a headwind and with a full-stop turn around a bollard at one end put paid to any thoughts of a fast outing almost before the race had begun and thereafter, while the scenery picked up somewhat, plenty of sharp turns and less than ideal surfacing again mitigated against a great performance even though the course was reasonably flat. From a friendliness and organisation point of view, full marks to the volunteers as usual and on that basis, this might make a great first race for someone. But from the perspective of time and competition I don't think I'd run it again.
Date of review: September 3, 2006

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

In short: Good, solid local 5K. Organisers should make it monthly: time trial potential.
In full: Good, solid event, not big, not special, not memorable. Just an honest, well-run, local race with a fair smattering of club runners at the front and, I imagine, a fair few unaffiliated non-regular racers at the back. Good first time event for the latter group, and run monthly would make a useful time-trial type race for the former. Quick course but not genuine PB material due to number of turns and minor, but decisive, undulations. Recommended, keeping the above in mind.
Date of review: August 28, 2006

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

In short: Good race, particularly for beginners but not without logistical problems
In full: Strikes me as a good race for beginners and those generally unworried about times (and therefore unlikely to be phased by the potential for bottlenecks in the early miles) and equally those more likely to be assisted by the very friendly marshalls and inspired by the pleasant, jovial atmosphere overall. On the other hand, far too few toilets and poor changing facilities...mileage markers that were beyond a joke, no split times, and a shambolic finishing stretch mitigated against a recommendation for the more competitive among us. In my view, this is presently a very good choice for a first half or first event and for novices, relative newcomers, and fun runners I'd highly recommend it as such. But if it wants to be considered a top-notch "race" then there are some elements that really need to be addressed. That said, get a few details right and it could easily become a very good event indeed.
Date of review: July 26, 2005

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

In short: As always, a thoroughly enjoyable race.
In full: When God sets out his annual weather plan, does he look up the date of the Silverstone 10K on the RW website and think to himself, "right, that'll be wind and rain on May 3rd then." I mean, a glorious weekend and the wind and wet descend on Northants almost as if predestined. But seriously, terrific race and one absolutely made for beginners, I think. Like Arnie, I'll be back...
Date of review: May 4, 2005

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

In short: It is what it is. If FLM sounds like your sort of race, you won't be disappointed!
In full: Like I said, if FLM sounds like your sort of race then you won't be disappointed. It's a behemoth, but it's a highly polished behemoth indeed. If thousands of supporters, massive levels of hype, slick-talking charities, and the TV cameras are your idea of a great race, then FLM will exceed your wildest expectations. But if Abingdon (or the like) is your idea of a great marathon (committed support, fine local marshalls, great scenery, but overall a low profile) then run FLM once (because it's worth it for the experience) but don't expect to be totally won over or your life changed.

Every runner won't fall in love with FLM, but no runner should miss experiencing it at least once.
Date of review: April 18, 2005

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		60%
Atmosphere		60%
Organisation		20%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: Reasonable race with serious shortcomings
In full: This was a passable enough race. Average course, good friendly crowd and organisation. But, and it is a key BUT, any organiser who stages a 13.1 miler in mid-summer in 80 degree temperatures and can't organise water at water stops is never going to get a race entry from me again. The scene at the (dry) 10 mile water stop was farcical, not to mention dangerous.
Date of review: December 17, 2004

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

In short: A fine way to spend a pre-Christmas Sunday!
In full: A pleasant, well organised event with excellent marshalling and good facilities. Course was tough-ish and Wooton is a small town, so getting to and from the race wasn't easy; severe traffic congestion in last mile. As a rule of thum, in future energy drinks alongside water after mile 10 of half marathons would be a plus!
Date of review: December 13, 2004

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

In short: All the ingredients for a memorable marathon
In full: Couldn't give it a higher recommendation. This -- and not FLM -- is what marathon running is all about. A race for runners, organised by runners, in a lovely location with good local support. One to treasure.
Date of review: October 18, 2004

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