Cheshire Oaks Chester Half Marathon - Race FullHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (131 votes). | The big picture (131 votes) | | Overall score | | 93% | | How many would do it again? | | 94% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 73% | | PB potential | | 77% | | Atmosphere | | 82% | | Organisation | | 91% | | Value | | 81% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 83% |
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2013 race reviewed by: Jonathan Thetford
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A well organised event
In full: This was the first time I've participated in this event, whch was extremley well organised. Start very good at the race course, no queing for toilets, more than ample to cover the 6,000 entrants. Nice atmosphere at start, with a warm up and Heart FM announcements. Course passes through city and out into the open countryside before winding back via housing estates before a city centre finish. The course has PB potential. I recorded my second fastest time over a half marathon distance, missing out on a PB by 30 seconds. Nice to receive a handshake and congratutalations from two marshalls at the finish, together with an excellent medal and technical tshirt (girlfriend does not like colour!!). A couple of challenges on the course. One at 8 miles, up and over a bridge, but if you've put in hill sessions, no problem. Secondly the last half mile to the finish is up hill, so leave some in the tank. My only slight negative that if this race is to accomodate a larger entrance number, then the city centre finish, as much as I liked it, finishing outside Chester Cathedral, will have to be looked at. Very large numbers of spectators and finishes in a congested area. Lastly, I could not find the A - Z alphabet to meet friends etc. I was expecting large stand alone letters, similar to Great North Run. Instead they were hanging off buildings not particular very large, but this may have been me being dense after 13.1 miles! Overall a great half, very well organised and Chester is a lovely city to make a weekend break around the race.
Date of review: May 19, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Ceri Pritchard
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Brilliant :)
In full: This was my second half and I LOVED it!! Managed to get a new PB of 1:58:46, great course with plenty of support the whole way round. Lucozade at 6 miles was definitely appreciated :) Good goody bag and lovely medal at the end, I'll be back next year!!
Date of review: May 18, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Peter Coates 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good enjoyable race. Excellent organisation and atmosphere.
Date of review: May 18, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: chris hall 45
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Just a run
In full: Plenty of marshalls and good gel/gatorade/water support. Start gates were too narrow for the numbers. Good to run back to the centre of historic town.
Great medal
Date of review: May 17, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: James Hickinbottom
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Thoroughly enjoyed Chester half marathon 2013. Quick course and the support and organisation were fantastic. Will definitely be back next year
Date of review: May 17, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: gavin Roche 4
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race
In full: This is my fifth Chester half marathon and it gets better year on year. Very well organised start to the race, and so many portaloos!! Brilliant! Can the organisers of the Liverpool Half Marathon please take note of this. If there are thousands of runners you need more than the poxy amount of portaloos provided at the last Liverpool Half Marathon. I still prefer the old course, again i found myself getting a little bit bored on 8 miles or so. The hill at the end is a bit of a killer, but absolutely fantastic support! Thank you to the organisers and marshalls and also to all the people handing out drinks. Once again the men with the jelly beans in Blacon was a welcome sight! Great race and a great day. Thanks.
Date of review: May 17, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: GARETH CHALONER
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Hope it gets bigger in the next few years.
Date of review: May 16, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Hail me a taxi
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good, but preferred the old course
In full: I ran the Chester Half on the old course back in 2010. Being an ex-pat of the city I took the opportunity to visit friends and family this time and race the new course. It was fast, but I found the course boring once out of the city. There are much better routes in/around Chester to run around than this course, the old course was one of them. Overall a decent race, not great but worth £26. If you're a PB chaser then I'd recommend it but only at this years prices.
Date of review: May 15, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Alan Jackson
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: superb race with excellent marshaling and terrific atmosphere all round the course
Date of review: May 15, 2013
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2013 race reviewed by: Ian Berry 6
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: 1st time half marathon definitely looking to do more this year thanks
Date of review: May 14, 2013
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