My Event Ratings

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

In short: Fabulous race, like London marathon atmosphere.
In full: My return to running after a 2.5 year lay-off and what a race to do it in. Excellent organisation, perfect setting, lovely weather and great atmosphere all helped me to get my nerve back and confidence up. I would recommend it to anyone.
Date of review: October 12, 2009

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

In short: Best organised and most friendly race I have run in the last 4 years. Thanks to all at Bedford Harriers
In full: It was cold, it was windy, but the warmth of the welcome and the organisation brought joy to my heart. How nice to be cheered by Harriers' supporters even as an outsider. Everywhere I ran I saw smiles and friendliness. Thanks to all at Bedford Harriers and to the RAF cadets who also did a fantastic job. I will be back next year.
Date of review: December 11, 2006

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

In short: Special run and excellent organisation excepting location of baggage coaches at the start. It took me over half an hour to drop my bag and get to the start pen due to a very narrow path. Organisers - please create a 2-way system.
In full: After a boiling hot summer and complaning of heat in every race/ traning run I have done since June, I decided to trust the weather forecast and leave sunscreen, glasses and hat out of my race bag. Inevitably it was hot and sunny and today I have a pink face and sore eyes. Crowd support and organisation are first-class (except baggage buses). Very friendly event topped by the Red Arrows fly-past. I would definitely do this race again. The course is surprisingly undulating which took more out of my legs than expected but that's what you get when you train beside rivers and rarely run on hills!
Date of review: October 2, 2006

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

In short: Nice runners - first time I've never been cut up/jostled,shoved in a race!
In full: Too hot and hilly but excellent organisation, lots of water and sponges made it bearable though water bottles would have been much, much better. Happy to pay a few pounds more for this if need be. Small gripe were selfish caravanners who blocked the road at mile 11 and nearly squashed me and another runner between it and a car. Great atmosphere but not PB material for those of us who train on the flat. Good warm-up for the Great North Run in 2 weeks. Thanks to locals who provided hosepipe, Powerade and cheers. I needed it!
Date of review: September 18, 2006

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

In short: Great marathon training
In full: Must be doing something right, ran 15 minutes faster than the previous 16-miler in March. Well-organised, great scerny for half the way and plenty of room. Only small gripe is finishers gift of a mug rather than a medal. Still, it will come in useful for my builders this week and keep them off the good china!
Date of review: October 10, 2005

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Overall score		40%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		40%
PB potential		80%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		60%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Street cleaners urgently needed in this part of Manchester!
In full: Shouldn't complain as I cut 8 minutes off my time to crack 2 hours (1:57.04) BUT, no sign indicating the start until 15 mins before the start, last year's (different) map was little help. Runners were wandering around asking if anyone knew where the start was. Answer: on top of a car boot sale. I have never seen so many broken pavements, so much dog-fouling and other unattractive detritus even after years of running in London. Definitely wrong to describe this course as part-urban, part-rural. Only rural bits were the very attractive park at the end. Not enough water stops - glad I carried water.
Date of review: September 28, 2005

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

In short: Undulating? A euphemism for hilly.....
In full: Undulating is an interesting descroption of this course. Admittedly, I do most of my training along the Thames path, but I would describe Woodstock as hilly. Funny how some courses appear to be only up-hill! Beautiful scenery and kindly, encouraging stewards made up for the hills. I also managed a chatting PB in managing to talk to my friend - uninterrupted by hills - for 1hr 58 minutes! I would do this again as it is great training for the NY Marathon.
Date of review: September 23, 2005

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