My Event Ratings

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

In short: Thanks to the people of Reading
In full: First time dong this run and found the support from the crowd unusually good.

I stayed at the Madjeski hotel so parking etc. was not an issue and organisation was good, though too many people climbed into unallocated starting pens as they were late arriving making the start congested with slower runners.

Drink stations frequent, supplemented by many unofficial drink and jelly baby stations along the way.

Stadium finish makes this run and I feel it churlish to say that you are not in there long enough. All points about fluids not being available for some time at finish are correct.

Course is pretty much flat ( certainly no Tunbridge Wells ) and had I not been struck down with a bug, a good potential for a PB (many thanks to the 1.40 pace maker incidentally).

Will be back next year.
Date of review: April 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		100%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Best so far
In full: I live and train in Tunbridge Wells so this was my first time doing my "home town" half. As a recent convert, this was my fifth half in 6 months and I have to say it was the best. Not too big that you felt anonymous like the GNR but not so small that you feel out of place if you are not a club member.

Great weather, great marshals, great course, great atmosphere, great shirt- a quick note on value and for those who did not receive a goody bag- I ran the Brighton Half last week which cost more to enter and offered no T-shirt and a "goody bag" containing 2 advertising pamphlets as well as the course being mis measured.

I am certain that the goody bag problem will be sorted next year and I will be back for another great event.
Date of review: February 27, 2012

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

In short: Could have been great
In full: OK, so it was the first time I'd run the Brighton half but fancied another coastal after Hastings in November.

Weather was great and contrary to what some have said, The start area was marked with expected finish times.

I did not use the baggage area as I parked in the Churchill NCP which was 10 minutes walk away so just changed there and walked down so I cannot comment on the organisation there.

Medal good, though I did ot see "goody bags" being distributed- didn't look as the race blurb had said not to expect one.

I ordered a t shirt when I entered and this was sent in the post prior to the event.

Loved the scenery, thought the crowds were encouraging and would like to thank the volunteers for their efforts on the day. Will be back next year, but only if they from isle to reduce the distance to 12.7 miles.
Date of review: February 20, 2012

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