My Event Ratings

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

In short: Nice race, poor organisation
In full: A decent 'local' race with some reasonable scenery on fairly flat roads. There were some negative points. Sort these out and this could become more attractive to more runners.

The administation of the race was very poor, and the web site content was out of date and lead to confusion. The timing clock went off at least 90s aheasd of the gun. The 14.5 mile marker was placed before the 14mile marker. Lots of little things like this detract from a great day. The marshall were great, although one or two did not clearly mark the direction. This is a problem in small races where the field is strung out.

A good race that could be a great race.
Date of review: October 21, 2012

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

In short: Flat and fast HM. Well organised race.
Date of review: September 16, 2012

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

In short: Generally well organised
In full: Reasonable event. Slightly lacking in atmosphere at the start. Some poor marshalling early on had 5 or 6 runners at the front heading off in the wrong direction - hopefully sorted out when the rest of the runners came through. Apart from that, well organised.
Date of review: July 30, 2012

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

In short: Hilly, scenic and well organised. A really enjoyable event
In full: As my first Marathon I had some trepidation about the hills. As it turned out they were 'runable' but by mile 22 I really flagged up one bit.
Scenery was fantastic, and there was a fair amount of support throughout the race from locals and the marshalls.

I finished in 3hr 2min which was quite far up the field. I ran for miles without seeing any other runners, and the only guys I saw were those ahead who had pulled up.

The whole event was top class organisation, and the finishing straight was a real treat
Date of review: June 10, 2012

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

In short: A great race, with spectacular finish. Start needs rethinking
In full: I thoroughly enjoyed the day, and received fantastic support and encouragement through every mile. Loved the finish at the Madejski Stadium.

The start was a little disorganised, but lets be honest, far too many runners must be supplying unrealistic starting times, as there were quite a few slow runners ahead of the 1:30 pacer. Also too many ipoders oblivious to whats going on around them.
Date of review: April 1, 2012

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

In short: An enjoyable romp around Richmond Park
In full: Before the event I was not looking forward to it as I became aware that it was a 13.4 mile course, and the start was to be staggered (and not based on your pace).

As it turned out, I thoroughly enjoyed this low key event. There were no problems with the staggered start, and passing slower runners was easy enough. Clocking your own time at 13.1 miles is easy enough, and chip timing is provided at 13.4m. There were one of two road crossings where I had to come to a halt which was annoying, but that's life.

Fantastic support from all the volunteer Mashals - well done to them for their constant support on a very wet day.

Well done to the Stroke Association for putting this event on.
Date of review: March 5, 2012

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

In short: Good training event, poorly organised on the day
In full: This was my first running running event. It was billed as a good training event with dull scenery, and this is what it turned out to be.

I intended to run with the 8min pacer. After 30mins I gave up as it was too crowded on a narrow track that occassionally became narrower. Too much elbowing and weaving made it tiring and not a great start to my first event. I moved on to a 7.45 pace and the rest of the event became much easier.

Strong winds gave the course some challenges, otherwise its an easy flat run.

I arrived at 9.30 with no parking problems so may have been lucky. Very poor communication of the parking issues and the delayed start were given over a single PA system near the start. Nothing was announced near the boathouse. We were left standing at the start for several minutes getting cold as the delayed start time slipped by.

As my first event I learned a lot about HM Running so overall it was a positive experience. Sort out the organisation on the day and it's a great training event.
Date of review: February 18, 2012

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