My Event Ratings

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

In short: Poor organisation, grumpy marshals and incorrect distance.
In full: A very poorly organised race, well intentioned, but, lacking in the basics.

1. Sadly the course was incorrectly measured and was 11km's.
2. With the exception of 2, all the marshals were borderline depressive with little or no communication with the runners.
3. In the kids 2.5 Km race I would estimate about 50% of the runners were confused at the direction to the finish and several made wrong turns.
4. In the unseasonably warm weather the lack of water available was potentially dangerous
5. Fizzy water was offered at drink stations, why????


I am sure the Rotary Club was well intentioned, but, I believe that they should look to getting help from a local running club(s) to assist them in future races.
Date of review: April 15, 2007

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

In short: Big intensions, Organisation a below par, and much to be learnt from. (grab a coffee, because you might be sometime reading this)
In full: I have a mixed option of Bristol this year. But, I hope the race organisers will look at making improvements for the next year. Here are a few of my points.

Course:
I believe that the change of course might have been for the better, but, having to wind around the city centre with the field at its most condensed made for a slow couple of miles.

Also, I noticed that listed in the official route description sent in the infomation packs and for download on their website had you running down Queen Charlotte Street, but, instead we were diverted onto Welshback. Why the course change to a more cobbled and rutted road, and why did they add more twists and turns?

Mile Markers:
Ha, there’s a joke!!!

Start:
The start and starting are was (in my option) the worst bit, It was far to packed and it was not clear enough where the correct starting pens were, There appeared to be only a space of 100 yards between the signs for Sub1:30 and sub2:15. There was no organisation from marshals to get runners into their colour zones and the barriers along the pavement were just simply crazy.

Drink Stations:
Though I don’t use them, I was a little disappointed to see that there was no sponge stations this year, even with the weather being hotter, though I was glad to see that the problems or pervious years in running out of water and energy drinks because of poorly positioned and organised drinks stations has been resolved and there was enough water for all.

Finish:
Was it only me that liked the finish?? I believe that the change of venue from Queen’s Square to Cannon Street has made a huge improvement to the finish. No more do the crowds have to line the narrow path peering through 7foot high fences to see friends and family finish. I lived running the last 200 yards and thought it was a much better finish than the Great North Run.

I suffered no problem with finish system like others had reported. I finished, walked a little but, was de-chipped, walked a little, got a medal, and walked a little got some water. Then I had a paddle in the fountains for about 20mins before getting my goodie bag. I was really happy that no pressure was being applied to runners to move through the runners enclosure, there were plenty of open spaces, seats, benches and time to sit and relax before fighting though the crowds of supporters and spectators.

Anyway, its 100% better than Bath Half from 2004.

Goodie Bags:
I was really disappointed with the lack of food in the Goodie bags. I was a real disappointment to only have a few leaflets and foil blanket.

Next Year:
Maybe. Depends on the price.

Date of review: September 18, 2006

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

In short: Up-Down with a sting in the tail.
In full: Nicely organised race through rural and country lanes (shame we did not run through the ford thou).

The course is quite challenging at the start with the route mostly uphill but after reaching 5km its downhill all the way.

Date of review: September 15, 2006

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Overall score		100%
Would you do it again?		Yes
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		20%
Atmosphere		100%
Organisation		100%
Value		100%
Beginner-friendliness		80%

In short: There are no pictures or stories that can fully sum up the experience of this event
In full: This event is just amazing. I there are no stories or pictures or words that can fully do this justice, you have to participate to fully experience the wonders of the Dartmoor Discovery.

This is arguably the best race in the country.
Date of review: June 8, 2006

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

In short: No major problems to complain but lacked a little spark somewhere.
In full: A nice and uplifting race, quite well organised with no problems that I noticed. Race started well and was less crowed than many races. The scenery was interesting in parts but was lacking in others.

I would place the course as more undulating than flat.

On the whole it was a nice and interesting race made more special with the weather, but, otherwise nothing much to write home about.
Date of review: May 7, 2006

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

In short: A lovely run along flat scenic country lanes
In full: it was great to see such a well organised race and there was very little about it to fault.

The course was scenic and interesting with only a couple of slight undulations, the mile markers were clearly noticeable and abundance of drink stations with water and also energy drinks.

maybe as it was my first 20 mile race, but, I found there to be such a friendly atmosphere in this race that I have not noticed in any race previous, not just from the marshals but among the runners, I have not had as many conservations among other runners during a race as I have had here, it is also amazing that nearly all the marshals were congratulating every runner, offering support and clapping even on a cold and wet day.

The only problems I observed were a little queue for the toilets and the baggage tent before the start and I am sure that it would be a better idea to have the baggage store inside the school instead of in the field (maybe).

role on next year.
Date of review: February 21, 2006

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

In short: A enjoyable 10K through a scenic park
In full: If you liked the Princes Trust 10K, Westonbirt 10K or Longleat 10K then this race seams to have all of these in one race. Its a really nice experience run through woods and open land on good paths and tracks, and with the good atmosphere from both the organisers and crowds and the downhill finish which made for a quick last kilometre.

Luckily I did not have to sample the queue for the toilets nor do I normally take water from water stations in 10K’s so these two obvious problems did not affect my experience of this race.

The only problem I experienced is a long walk back to the car from the start, made even longer by walking the wrong way from the finishing line, some signs would not go amiss. If the weather was any colder or if it had been raining then the walk back would have detracted from my race experience.

See you next year.

Date of review: September 27, 2005

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

In short: One to do just for the fun of it
In full: I have to admit that I was not expecting much from this race, but I was to be proved wrong. It’s an interesting which I believe is better run in Two laps instead of the one, it was made more interesting with the addition of water features and soft sand, and also with the odd jelly fish and donkey dung to avoid. The support was quite good with people cheering from the on top of the piers and along the beach, mainly from bemused tourists watching 250 sweaty people run up and down.

The only down point I had was it was a little messy around the turning points with runners selecting there own best routes across the soft sand and puddles.

Apart from that it was good organisation, good support, good venue and a good event.


Date of review: August 15, 2005

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

In short: If you like running in Glorious scenery along well kept woodland trails then this is the run for you.
In full: Excellent race, the organisation was great with more marshals seen throughout the 10K distance then what I have seen in all my previous races this year combined. :) The course was well planned lovely to run. Excellent race.
See you next year.

Date of review: June 28, 2005

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

In short: Oh I do like to run beside the seaside...
In full: Even thou I did not do well in this race I am sure I will be back again to make amends for it next year. Enjoyed the atmosphere and my tired ears thought 'The King' was quite good on top of the hill.

anyway, who said the sea was warm!!!!!!

Well I'm 'Looking Up' to next year.
Date of review: June 28, 2005

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