My Event Ratings

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

In short: Undulating out, flat in
In full: Home city half, it had to be done at some stage. The start coral gave a realistic start place for the slightly quicker runner. Crowds were good in town but dotted in and out around less populated areas (much like Edinburgh Marathon). I quite enjoyed the undulations and challenges of a few hills in the first half. The water stations were about right. As said previously, no sports drinks until the end but I didn't think they were needed.

Once out in Weetwood I knew the backbone of the race was broken, drifting back down to Kirkstall Road and the long but flat drive to the line.

I shave a couple of seconds off my pb but could have done a bit more on a different course. Good finishing area and a great t-shirt.

Most importantly for me, my wife didn't go into labour. 4 days over and counting!!!
Date of review: May 13, 2013

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

In short: Lovely course on the only day of sun this summer.
In full: I want to say well done to the race organisers on this one. Good marshalling, water stations and crowds. One of those races where everything is so smooth you don't even notice the organisation, exactly as it should be. Cakes available for spectators and a cricket pitch for my daughter to run around on. Fantastic. As for the race itself, tight pack to start with but it soon broke up. Good scenery for a road race and mildly challenging. £13 for organisation and a good technical t-shirt. Bargain.
Date of review: July 16, 2012

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

In short: Consistently good!
In full: Despite the pre-race downpour, race conditions were pretty perfect from the off. Plentiful supplies of water and support around the course make it an extremely pleasant and welcoming race, particularly for newbies.

I an off green this year, which was far better, proper timing groups and through the start quickly. My previous experience off red was one of a much better group warm up but frustration in getting across the line and avoiding bottle necks through the first couple of kilometres.

The small alteration to the course didn't impact much, just added to the usual winding route. No hills to speak of but if you are after a PB in Leeds, the Abbey Dash is the way to go. Still, it is quick, has a great atmosphere and the organisers got the t-shirts spot on this year. Well done!
Date of review: June 21, 2011

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

In short: Promising but a few tweaks still needed.
In full: To get the bad out of the way, don't even bother with a goodie bag if you aren't going to put anything in it! It is a valid point that the energy drinks on course were in a cup and should be in a bottle. I ended up with half of it in my eyes which isn't a pleasant experience.

I didn't have a problem with queuing as I was up near the front (I'm getting better at guessing where I should be- chip and gun finishing places were 3 apart) but I can see why this would be a problem and time groups should be introduced.

The atmosphere was fantastic and the km markers were clear. The course is fairly flat so has PB potential IF you can avoid the overcrowding. But is is a Run for All and has that feel about it, which is great and allows for a much wider participation and takes away any sense that this is just for an elite group.

Big thanks to the stewards and St John's Ambulance who did a superb job on the day.
Date of review: July 5, 2010

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