My Event Ratings

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

In short: As good as ever
In full: The fact this was my 6th time at this race says it all really. Well organised, good atmosphere and a fair course make this a lovely small village race and a credit to Reading Road Runners. The course is quick, just a couple of minor uphill drags but nothing too drastic, although the woodchip section in the 9th km was hard work, but definitely preferable to running through the mud bath I would assume would have been there without it. Set a new PB, the 4th time I've done it at Shinfeld, so see you next year.
Date of review: May 7, 2012

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

In short: Everything you want a race to be
In full: Third time, and third great day. Everything is so easy - all the facilities are exactly where you want them to be and so all you have to think about is running. I was on the FGFA start this year and we were up to speed within yards and very little congestion. It's a bit different if you're further back where it can be very crowded, but it's still possible to run a good time. The one downside to the FGFA start is that all the bags go on one truck and most of the runners finish within a few minutes of each other so it's an absolute scrum to get your bag back, but that's a very minor inconvenience in the scheme of things. I'll be back next year for a crack at 3 hours
Date of review: April 27, 2012

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

In short: Excellent race, but now at maximum capacity
In full: Bus queues were far longer this year at the station, maybe because people arrived later because of the Twyford to Reading bus replacement service before 8am - not the organisers fault. Once the queue got moving though it wasn't too bad, but we arrived too late to see the kids race. The race village seemed a little more crowded this year, but having done this race a few times now I know where to go to get away from it. No changing area in the baggage tent this year. Yellow pen was well marshalled, although still several orange runners in there who were obviously going to get trampled. The race itself was well organised, no problems to report at all, and the finish area and bag retrieval were very smooth. I'd swear the out & back section just before the stadium gets longer every year though!
Date of review: April 1, 2012

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

In short: Excellent small village race
In full: All good, no bad. A fair course with just a few gentle inclines, passing through lovely rural farmland and with definite PB potential. A good HQ with everything where you expected, excellent marshals, a decent shirt at the end and they don't try to cram too many runners into the race. Will definitely do this race again if I'm in the area at Christmas. One suggestion - as this is raising money for charity it might be worth putting on a tea & cake stall at the end to raise some extra funds :)
Date of review: December 27, 2011

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

In short: 2011 race - not much to say - good race in a good location
In full: Basic 'does what it says on the tin' race along the Brighton seafront. Big race, good atmosphere & excellent organisation. Not the most generous with just a bottle of water and very basic medal, but the race itself is very good, and that's what you do it for after all. Agree about the k markers - only saw 4 & 9, and I assumed the inflatable over the road was 5k - didn't actually see anything with a 5 on). 18 inch high blue A-frames at the side of the road are simply not visible enough when you have runners around you. Minor thing though - good event.
Date of review: November 20, 2011

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

In short: As good as ever
In full: I really enjoy this race. Yes, the pub is a very crowded, yes being near the front of the holding area does not mean you're anywhere near the front at the start, but everything else is excellent. Good course, good marshals and an all round great morning out. One minor comment this year - the first drink station is immediately before a speed bump, and when you're looking to take a drink from the end of the table your attention is elsewhere and so you don't spot it. I nearly tripped, and I wasn't alone. Just move the table 20 yards forward or back and problem solved. A very minor thing however, and does not detract from an excellent race. Thirty years strong, and long may it continue :)
Date of review: October 16, 2011

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

In short: Cracking village race
In full: What an excellent event this was - well organised, an interesting and fair course with just a couple of minor inclines and rollers, supportive marshals and a lovely atmosphere. I even got to race a couple of horses at one point! Pity about the downpour at the end that rather caused everybody to rush off home, but still a lovely event with a charm that big events simply can't provide. Pat on the back organisers, and see you next year :)
Date of review: September 4, 2011

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

In short: Well organised, straight forward race
In full: Excellent organisation and a decent course. Not flat, but mostly just gentle inclines with only one short section I'd actually call a hill. Pity about the wind that made the last 3k tough and meant I was a little slower than I'd hoped, but can't blame the organisers for that - I should have worked harder! One thing I did realise after I got home was that when I filled in the entry form I had to tick what size shirt I wanted, but I never saw hide nor hair of any shirts - no idea where they were. They weren't handed out at the finish so I guess I should have collected it when I registered, but no-one mentioned them and I never noticed any signs. A minor thing for me though as I have a cupboard full of race t-shirts already, but for first timers or irregular racers could have been more significant. But then maybe they weren't as unobservant as me. This doesn't distract at all from an excellent race however - I'd certainly do it again if I was in the area.
Date of review: August 28, 2011

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

In short: As good as ever
In full: Basic straight forward race - no frills, no complications, just turn up, pay your money, run and enjoy. The course is tough but not overly so, with some nice downhill stretches as well, and is now mostly on reasonably wide tracks. Not that overtaking was an issue for me this year - it was the problem for others trying to pass me as my lack of hill training this year really showed. This is not a race to do for the finish time, it's a race to do because you enjoy running :)
Date of review: August 3, 2011

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

In short: Brilliant organisation and great goody bag, but you have to earn it
In full: That hill in the 2nd k is tough, and it hits you before you're really warmed up so it's hard work. From then on there are constant minor undulations to keep you on your toes, before an even steeper downhill - I'm glad they don't run it in reverse! Ninth k through the trees was very slippery & needed a bit of care (one of the leaders came a cropper), but there is really nothing to criticise even constructively at this event - it all went very well. And the goody bag for the money is excellent - technical t-shirt, nice medal, food, drink & various assorted goodies, so thank you to the generous sponsors.

Would I do it again? Yes, but I'd do some extra hill training first!
Date of review: July 17, 2011

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