My Event Ratings

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

In short: Well organised with great support and atmosphere.
In full: This is my second time of running the MK Half and the weather was almost identical (cold, windy, snow), though this did not take anything away from the organisation of the event.

The first 2-2.5 miles were downhill with the start on a closed dual carriageway so there was minimal bunching at the start although it got slightly crowded when the half marathon runners caught up with the 10k and 5k runners on the first part of the course, though this didn't last too long.

Various water stops along the route with friendly and encouraging marshals all around the route.

With a slight change in course from 2012 to go into Campbell Park and take on a "mountain" of a hill at the 12.5 mile mark was not ideal but added a little extra spice to the run.

Great crowd support at the finish line and it was nice to have someone put the medal around your neck this year rather than handing it to you still in the bag. The availability of space blankets at the end was also a welcome sight considering the conditions.

As others have stated, not much of a festival atmosphere though. Music/DJ, stalls and food could have added to this, but all in all a great race and I'll definitely be back again next year.
Date of review: March 11, 2013

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

In short: Well organised, great course and a great way to end the year.
In full: Really well organised event, from the shuttle buses to and from the car parks to the start/finish and of course all the excellent marshals along the way. 3 drinks stations along the route with plenty of volunteers. Marshals were very happy and encouraging throughout with great support from spectators.
The course itself was a slightly undulating course with various steady up and down hills. From mile 9 onwards it was pretty fast and downhill then became flat as you headed closer home.
My first time running at Bedford and I PB'd, so will definitely be back again next year. Well done to Bedford Harriers and all the marshals/volunteers for a brilliant race.
Date of review: December 10, 2012

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

In short: Great location for a great race and VERY fun!
In full: The Survival of the Fittest events are excellent fun and brilliantly organised. The atmosphere in and around Cardiff Bay was great with lots of people out watching and cheering you on.
One of the highlights of the race was running in the Millenium Stadium, although the run up the 6 flights of stairs to get into the stadium was killer after 8KM!!
The only downside was seeing the 9KM marker and thinking there was only 1 to go but then passing the 10KM marker and then an 11KM marker, still knowing you've got an 8ft wall to get yourself over. Well worth it though and highly recommended!!

Top tip, register early to get the cheaper entry price as it can become pricey the closer to the event it gets.
Date of review: October 8, 2012

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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		80%

In short: Fast, flat course along a nice route with a definite potential for a PB.
In full: My first time running this event and I would highly recommend it. Organisation was excellent. I had to collect my race number and chip on the day and everyone was helpful. Baggage area was well organised and managed too.

The race finishes on the school field at the end of the 100m running track and your greeted by someone handing you everything you need after the race.....water, banana, cereal/granola bar and that all important medal!!

Tip - Give yourself plenty of time to go to the toilet as the queue gets massive the closer it gets to start time!
Date of review: July 11, 2012

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

In short: Very hot but the atmosphere and route made up for it!
In full: Excellent race and very well organised despite the heat.

Great medal and decent enough t-shirt. Free massage and jelly babies at the end was a welcome sight!!
Date of review: May 28, 2012

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

In short: Great race for a great cause
In full: Positives - Excellent location, based on the Dunstable Downs with some decent obstacles along the way.

Negatives - Not enough water around the course (only 1 on the 10K) and no water at the finish. After the 2 VERY, VERY, VERY steep hills, water would have been a welcome sight!
More marshals could have been present as I don't think all the obstacles were used by some people (the skip, and slippery mate) as there were no marshals around.
Registration was a bit of a nightmare and the start was delayed because of this, but if it goes ahead again next year, I'm sure these things will be addressed.
Lack of Red Bull and Goody Bag was missing at the finish, but the free massage was a treat!

All in all, a fun race and I will be back again next year.
Date of review: April 16, 2012

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

In short: Good race but unbelievable weather!
In full: This was my first MK Half and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The first few miles are run on closed/part closed roads so it's pretty wide and mostly flat in the beginning, but don't let that fool you. From around mile 8 onwards there are some pretty steady inclines with a killer hill right near the end, not what you want with tired legs.
Good support from locals and marshalls all the way round.
My only negative of the race was that the start wasn't staggered or split up into expected finish times, so you spent up to the first mile weaving in and out of the slower runners who had placed themselves near the front of the start. All-in-all a good race, even if the weather was poor!!
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: Great race along a great route
In full: This was my first half marathon and was a great race. It was really well organised and the route was excellent. A mix of canal-side running with off-road/woods running (beware of tree roots!!)
I will definitely be entering again next year!
Date of review: November 21, 2011

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

In short: Great event made all the more fun by the obstacles!!
In full: Not your typical 10K run!! A 10K course starting at Battersea Power Station, moving into Battersea Park and back again, with 16 obstacle zones along the way consisting of water, mud, ice, sand bags, climbing, crawling and more water and mud!! Well worth it and I will definitely be entering again next year.
Date of review: November 14, 2011

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