My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great flat course with one hill, but organisation was lacking
In full: This was my second half and I would definitely come back because the course is great. Pretty much flat with one gradual hill ascending to steepish at mile 7-8. Got a PB. Beautiful weather for it too.
However, I wasn't that impressed with the organisation. I'd registered online but the information via email was very brief - I only found the course route online because I know someone who's done the race before.
On race day, the marshal on the car park a) couldn't direct me to the sports centre, b) advised me to leave spare kit etc in the car as he didn't think there would be enough lockers. There were lots of lockers!
Then those of us who'd registered before the day were asked to queue, while people signing up on the day could bypass it (lots of muttering about this).
While the race itself was well-marshalled, the pre-race briefing was inaudible. Also, no roads or paths were closed off, so at one point several of us were stuck behind a cyclist on a narrow muddy track, and there was a section on an A-road without any barrier between runners and traffic.
It's a small race and it felt as if the organisers assumed that everyone would be local and would know where to go. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for a first race - but it's a good race!


Date of review: November 10, 2012

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

In short: First half marathon and a great introduction! Well-organised and friendly
In full: The course is either uphill or level for the first 6 miles - but there are no really challenging hills, just a couple of long slow climbs. From halfway it is either level or downhill, so great for tired legs apart from one small climb at about mile 11. All road except for some short sections through parks, which were on good paths and made a nice change. It was a hot day but I got the time I was looking for (first time half-marathoner!) so I think a good PB course.
Good water stations and plenty of marshals.
On the weeks leading up to the race I got regular newsletters by email, and organisation on the day was excellent - efficient without being bureaucratic.
Date of review: September 11, 2012

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