My Event Ratings

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

In short: A classic half marathon
In full: Very well organised - hard without being stupidly hard, and full of variety
Date of review: February 16, 2009

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Overall score		20%
Would you do it again?		Maybe
Details:
Scenery		100%
PB potential		40%
Atmosphere		20%
Organisation		40%
Value		20%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Should be some sort of compensation
In full: I am very dissapointed with V02max.
If this was a race organized by a club (which is often registered as a charity) or a charity then I would not be concerned.
But this is a commercial event, and I do not find it fair that they profit from the unfortunate situation that occurred.
There was an offer of a discount on next years race, but this was taken off the website, and its been radio silence from the organizers on any figure for this - which seems disingenuous, and done only to blunt any initial disquiet.
The last event I entered which was canceled I received a full refund without even asking or wanting it - it was organized by a small club - but this is a commercial situation.
The small print is meaningless - who is not going to enter a race because it says there is a no refund policy? Companies need to be fair to their customers or their reputation will suffer.

Date of review: October 3, 2008

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Overall score		80%
Would you do it again?		No
Details:
Scenery		60%
PB potential		100%
Atmosphere		40%
Organisation		40%
Value		80%
Beginner-friendliness		60%

In short: Good fast course, start was chaotic, chip timing needed?
In full: This was a nice fast course, a bit of pavement hopping required, a few speedbumps, potholes and sharp corners, but still very quick.
The race was spoiled by the start, people were not allowed to assemble in the road at first, then we were called to assemble and the hooter went a few seconds later - no time to get into position and chaos - 2 cars were driving slowly towards us within the first 100m and some people were forced to stop completely in the scrum. I didnt get out of it too badly, but it was worse than abbey dash.
Also had 2 seconds added to my time, only 2 secs I know but its just annoying, escpecially considering the start - chip timing might be in order.
If they can sort the start logistics I would do it again, otherwise probably not.
I did get the impression it was well organised, and I know what a nightmare to organise race starts can be in general in built up areas - so sorry for moaning a bit and thank you for putting it on.

Date of review: April 7, 2007

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

In short: A good event that is spoilt a bit
In full: Some people have been a bit harsh about slower runners at the front, but it really is a serious problem. The start is like the Great North but a bit worse as a lot of people are going off quicker. It is clear that many people utterly ignore the pen timings, and many 60min+ runners are in the sub 32 pen which is just stupid. It causes utter chaos and near collisions all over the place. It also adds a lot of time to hundreds of other runners.
Date of review: November 28, 2005

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

In short: Excellent race overall, could be a bit better
In full: This is a great race and i really enjoyed it, 2 points need to be made however.
1) First Water at 4.5 miles is just too late, and I was dehyrated at this point
2) Better start organisation for different speed groups - the first mile is carnage for slow and fast runners - London works far better

Also: I dont understand the fuss about the 4 deaths, considering the size of the field. For events of this size a fatality or 2 is pretty normal. If someone lost their life in a local race it would pass un-noticed, yet 4 at a race 100 times the size is big news ??
Date of review: September 21, 2005

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

In short: Biting winds make this one tougher....
In full: Would just like to add that by my watch, the total ascent was 1,050 feet! thats double Ackworth - Should be down as Hilly.
Date of review: February 14, 2005

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