My Event Ratings

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

In short: About the flattest race you will find in Bradford; made for beginners and PB hunters.
In full: It was a cold and misty morning in the lead up to the 9am start of the run. Many competitors, and possibly some spectators, were more than keen to join in with the group warm-up.

It was a surprise that we were under way at a couple of minutes before nine, certainly by my phone's time, and there was no great ceremony - not even an air horn.

The race began with a few twists and turns through the city centre before heading up into Little Germany where we met the first of the two very short and not too steep hills. This is about the flattest run you will find in the Bradford area - the half-marathon is one of the hardest in the country and there's even some light hill work at the ParkRun!

After Little Germany we headed out to join Canal Road, which would make up around 7km of the course. Canal Road is pretty flat, certainly the vague descent on the way out and the opposite on the way back go unnoticed. The long slog out and back was a little repetitive but was made a bit more pleasant by a carnival-style drum band and a good number of spectators and marshals.

The final km stretch brought us back in to the city centre to the finish at Centenary Square, where the council have invested some serious money in improving the aesthetics of the area. There was a good crowd at the finish line and that really helped for the final sprint to the finish.

On finishing we were given bottles of water and a small Twix before collecting our rather nice Epilepsy Action: Bradford 10k t-shirts. The sun was just starting to break through the cloud and mist and a pleasant Sunday was in the offing. Within a couple of minutes of crossing the finish line, I received a text message with my gun and chip times.

Overall, this race was well worth the slightly higher than average price and was seamlessly run from start to finish. Worth the effort.
Date of review: March 26, 2012

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

In short: Undulating is an understatement...!
In full: A lengthy but gradual climb from the off, for the first third of the run, makes the start quite steady going. The three further inclines are all much shorter but considerably steeper. Has a wonderful last mile that, if you've saved your legs, will be very quick.

The event was very well stewarded and ran like clockwork. Was well supported on the route and plenty of people at the finish. Support was especially impressive based on the size of the event.

Was really good value for money - £10 entry included a t-shirt and bottle of water at the finish. Hot food on offer and a clothing and shoes stall/area.

Only criticism was the lack of a water stop on the way round. However, this is a race well worth taking part in.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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