My Event Ratings

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

In short: Great Easter Sunday 5 miler
In full: Well organised, great value, fun race. Got a PB after doing a half marathon last weekend so quite chuffed. Terrible smell as you head off the bridge though and when I asked what it was I was told "Widnes".
Date of review: April 4, 2010

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

In short: Great local half marathon
In full: Thoroughly enjoyed it (other than my legs screaming at me to walk for the last 2.5 miles). Got there early as forewarned so quite a bit of waiting around and a bit of a queue to get out of the official car park but that was to be expected. Good marshalling, great to have roads closed, enough water stations (and I don't mind cups as it gives me opportunity to walk for 10 seconds) and a good goody bag and memento. Quite expensive but you could see where the money was spent so don't mind that. Great atmosphere and lots of local support. BBQ at the end smelled great too!
Date of review: March 28, 2010

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

In short: friendly undulating country fun
In full: Thoroughly enjoyed this 10k. Great friendly atmosphere, well organised, nice medal. Quite a few undulations but broke a long standing PB so very happy.
Date of review: March 8, 2010

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

In short: Hillier than I expected but an improved course
In full: Last did this in 2006 so the hills surprised me - most of the first 6 miles appeared to be uphill! Despite this I prefrred the new route with much less running alongside busy roads. There was Lucozade left at water stations, which is good as often there isn't by the time backmarkers like me get through. Good encouraging marshalls, who remained cheery despite the hideous weather. Legs felt like lead for last 4 miles but still enjoyed it. I had my doubt about the new organisation but I'm glad to say I was wrong.
Date of review: October 26, 2009

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

In short: Lovely local race with a village fete feel to it
In full: Cabbage-tastic! Really good value - £14 on the day for t-shirt, medal and cabbage. Liked multiple water stations, great support on the way from marshalls and locals alike. Warm up was tongue in cheek fun, good PB-friendly course. Marshalls good at pointing out the routes for the different distances. Parking a wee bit far away and I think the loos were getting blocked are my only gripes.
Date of review: September 21, 2009

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

In short: Marshalls should come to this race as a training course
In full: Great organisation, good value for a chip timed race, good atmosphere, the motorway bridges are harder than they look and pleasant course. Second time I've done it, will do it again.
Date of review: August 24, 2009

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

In short: Good race but a few organisational niggles
In full: Really enjoyed the race, despite not getting the PB I hoped for. I intended to follow the 1 hour pacer but had already lost him just as I left the stadium! I thought the goody bag was alright, marshalls were friendly enough but a few things need looking at. The road closed signs meant a lot of us assumed the road ahead was closed (!) and all turned off wrong and the traffic jams must have been a bit stressful for those arriving a bit later than us (8.15). Signs from the roads to the car park would have helped as would have more marshalls at key points. Water at 5k would have been good, some people were gasping by 6.5k and it was a bit pointless after 9k. Where the faster runners ran back into Sportscity but the slower runners had another lap there were no helpful marshalls (there were marshalls there but they weren't helpful!) meaning some slower runners ran right into the path of faster ones, putting them right off their stride and making them do big swerves. Roping or coning off lanes with shouted instructions from marshalls would solve this.

Not a scenic area but that's obvious from the location, really enjoyed starting and finishing in the stadium and great for spectators. Price reflects the roads having to be closed and I think it's worth it. Much better than the Great Manchester Run which I did in 2006 and didn't enjoy at all.
Date of review: July 6, 2009

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

In short: Quick, friendly and well organised
In full: Did the more overcast 5k last bank holiday Monday - this was much sunnier and therefore had a fair few more runners. Another good t-shirt and again the speedier ones were very encouraging to slow coaches like me. A bit confusing at the point where the slower runners have to do a second lap but the faster ones have already done it - I saw a couple of people miss out the second lap in the confusion. A bit more shouting from the marshall at that point would fix that.
Date of review: May 25, 2009

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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		80%

In short: Good speedy friendly 5k
In full: Flat PB friendly course on track, grass, trail paths and tarmac. Excellent marshalling and friendly atmosphere for beginners and elite alike. Good technical t-shirt.
Date of review: May 4, 2009

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

In short: Puts the multi in multi-terrain
In full: Officially a personal worst in terms of time but the prettiest race I've ever done with fab views. Two hills had me walking and puffing but the scenery made up for the huge effort. Big queue at the first kissing gate for back markers like me but I was delighted to have a rest! Good marshalls and lovely atmosphere - only slight gripe was a map to the start would have been nice, as we were in the wrong car park for about 10 minutes wondering what was going on. Vest and chip timing for £10 is very good value.
Date of review: April 6, 2009

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