My Event Ratings

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

In short: Hilly yet enjoyable
In full: Second time running this race. Much better weather than last year and it seemed to run more smoothly too overall. Bit crowded on the first km uphill but once it opened up it was great. Good support from locals around the course and marshalls were very good. Wouldn't say its the ideal race for beginners or those looking for PBs due to big hills at the start and the 7km mark but there is some excellent downhill parts too of course. Good finishing area with commentator mentioning people by name as they came in, and free flapjacks, bananas and jelly babies once you've handed in your chip. will definitely be back next year.
Date of review: March 4, 2013

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

In short: My hometown race and next years will be superb
In full: I live in Oxford and know the city well but have not run around some of those areas before, especially miles 1-3. the start was a bit congested and maybe pens needed for expected finishing times but once past the start line the road opened up allowing you to get into your stride easily. Once you headed towards the city proper the route was fantastic and the road closures made it a pleasure to run. The meadow and river section was great and that led on to the toughest bit, which was about half a mile of uphill roads after about mile 10. The stadium was a brilliant finish area as well. The downsides that people have mentioned I think are mainly down to how new the event is. This is the first proper oxford half after the pilot last year, and by all accounts it has come on leaps and bounds since 2011. The organisers are listening to feedback and I am very confident that any bag issues and parking issues that people had will be eradicated before the 2013 race. Also, the bands on route were great, the support from the public was excellent and the coverage that I've seen by BBC radio and in the Oxford Mail was great. Finally the pacemakers who ran with the runners were great and encouraged the runners as well as keep their racepace. With their help I took 15mins off my previous best!
Roll on 2013.
Date of review: October 15, 2012

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

In short: Great turn out, great organisation and great weather!
In full: The race was organised brilliantly and the course was quick. Worth starting closer to the front than you think as bunching at the start can add a bit to your time. I liked the route but maybe have a bit more out of the park and a small bit more through the town centre. The only other thing that I think could be improved is to get rid of the horrendous green portaloos at the start/finish area! They were horrible to say the least, glad the others were there though. The Marshalls all did a great job and it was good to see so many people out cheering the runners on. As its my home city and I beat my PB by 6mins I will definitely race again.
Date of review: May 14, 2012

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