My Event Ratings

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

In short: Not the most scenic, but well organised and a bit different. Clearly a lot of effort has gone into putting on the race and I'd do it again.
In full: Not ran this for a couple of years, but enjoyed it more for getting the starting pace right. Running through the tunnel was actually quite refreshing compared to the heat outside, but the climb out and then the long run along the promenade does take it out of you, especially in today's sun.

Not what you might call scenic, but it is that little bit different and the race organisation seemed spot on.
Date of review: May 31, 2009

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

In short: Well organised race
In full: Easy parking next to the start in the market multi storey. Water stations every 2.5km. Completely traffic free and well marshalled (enthusiastically). Pens at the start of the race and a good atmosphere.

The steep drops with sharp corners then the climb back to the end of the lap mean a PB is unlikely, but that shouldn't matter.

A good reception at the end of each lap and suitable for beginner and experienced. Worth entering.
Date of review: July 11, 2005

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

In short: Good event, well marshalled, shame about the start.
In full: Too many groups of slow runners at the front of the first (fast) wave. Needs some sort of marshalling to move them back before there is an accident. Especially those holding hands.

Apart from that, the marshalls, police and all other helpers do a great job. Not the most exciting scenery but not difficult running. A shower as well as a water station in a 10k was a good surprise.

No doubt will be back to make it 4 of 4 next year.
Date of review: May 23, 2005

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

In short: Excellent race. Plenty of variety and well organised and marshalled.
In full: A very socialable starting time made for an easy trip there. Plenty of marshalls and no problem parking or getting away. Could have done with an extra water station given the heat. A medal and a (rather bright) t-shirt and plenty of drinks at the end.

Avoiding the cows was different to the usual avoiding of big crowds.

Definitely will be back.
Date of review: May 3, 2005

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

In short: Excellent organisation, medal and t-shirt. But a little crowded.
In full: Marshalls & locals are excellent. Water stations as promised with full cups. Course is interesting and plenty of locals had turned out to watch. Absolutely no traffic on the road. Last few miles harder going but first few had already set up a good time.

Only complaint is crowding. Over 1 hour to exit the car park at the end (field next to finish, not on rugby pitch). Start & finish is a little too crowded for younger spectators, but it is a big race.

Overall - will probably run next year, without bringing my family and will do as I saw others doing - park well away and walk the last mile.
Date of review: March 21, 2005

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

In short: Excellent race once again. WIsh other organisers would take note.
In full: The climbs in the second half of the race don't make it easy, but have beaten my PB (also set here). So can't be that bad.

Excellent organisation - car parking, course marshals, water stations and the people cutting the champion chip off shoes. Even a very well organised exit from the very busy car park.

The cased medal is a treat as were the views of snow capped Welsh hills. Every mile marker was clear. Most of the roads only had oncoming traffic. The short section with two way traffic was wide and the drivers very patient.
Date of review: January 24, 2005

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

In short: Best sight - the sea after the 11 mile mark. Worst part - 11 miles.
In full: Locals are very supportive throughout the course, especially as all of their roads are closed for the race! Many thanks to them and all of the marshals who work so hard.

Start is dreadful. Started around 6 min / mile mark and was pushing through lines of 4 / 5 people just jogging / walking. Those that complained about my elbows made my day!

Escaping South Shields at the end wasn't easy. Back to Nirvana next year for their coaches. May be expensive, but are worth it.

Hopefully with championchips as promised for next year they can sort out a waved start. Something needs to be done.

Great atmosphere and really enjoy the run. Will be back next year, if the organisers don't change the entry system drastically.
Date of review: September 28, 2004

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

In short: Stick to the half, not the full.
In full: Great atmosphere for the first 12.5 miles, but very quiet after that and the section into the wind (about mile 19 onwards) up and down the National Water Sports centre was very energy sapping. Marshalls were excellent throughout. Plenty of water / energy drinks and at the start they had the sense to move cones back to make more room for passing, rather than shout at us to get onto the road. Very well organised at the start, but if I was to make the journey to run it again, would do just the half. Not a PB course for the full - look at the winner's time (2:45). The second half is so quiet it is more like a training run at times. Many thanks to those who turned out to watch or marshal.
Date of review: September 13, 2004

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

In short: Lack of information, no drinks on the course, a sudden early start caught some people out. Flat course but does wind around a lot, so chance of a good time.
In full: Lack of information in race pack - couldn't find start. Had to drive around Stanley Park to find where most cars where parked then wander through the park until I found the track. A quick black and white map would have save the effort in the rain.

Was surprised that no drinks were provided during the race and the announcement that it would start early was a bit of a surprise during my warm up.

Winds around (and out of) the park, but is very flat so should be a quick time. And the marshals did survive the rain. Well done to them.
Date of review: September 1, 2004

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

In short: Excellent momento at end (towel) but around an industrial estate. Also, roads not fully closed to traffic so watch your running. Also had a good fun run to entertain the younger members of the family before the race.
Date of review: September 1, 2004

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