My Event Ratings

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

In short: Flat course with PB potential
In full: Some great elements to this race, with very supportive and friendly marshals, good, if at time sparse, local support, loads of water stations and a superb atmosphere at the start/finish. Only negatives were the weather (no-one would expect such heat in October and the race organisers can't control it!) and at tines there was a bit of congestion with cars on the course. Definitely worth doing though.
Date of review: October 3, 2011

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

In short: An enjoyable race but some issues
In full: The race itself was quite good fun. The course mainly runs through the attractive Meadows Park in South Edinburgh and while multi-lap, the laps do have nice scenery! The support was excellent for a relatively small race, with both the organisers (stewards, announcers etc) and the public adding to a very good atmosphere. With this atmosphere, cosy course and its charitable ethos it is really ideal for beginners.

On the down side, the logistics weren't very good. To enter you had to pay through the Virgin Money Giving site and when you did you still received a number of chase up emails requesting payment. The multilap system is good for supporters, challenging psychologically for the runners but also leads to problems with lapping the slower/charity runners - I reckon you could chop a minute or two off your time if you weren't held up on the narrow paths by folk who have given up and are now walking in their sumo suits and fairy outfits. The consensus of many of those using GPS gadgetry was that the course measured between 0.3 and 0.5 miles long meaning a PB is near impossible. Finally, the publication of results took a full 48 hours after the race.

Overall though, a well intended and pleasant race but not one for the serious runner to look for a PB.
Date of review: March 8, 2011

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

In short: Difficult but picturesque course
In full: Surprised that there were no electronic timing system - something I'm now very used to.
Course was uphill a lot of the way with a killer hill kms 7-8/8.5ish.
Very enjoyable race though, well organised with everything running very smoothly. Nice countryside course and lovely start and finish in the park. Best of all it finishes near lots of pubs for a carb-loaded recovery beer!
Date of review: July 12, 2007

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