Wokingham Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (598 votes). | The big picture (598 votes) | | Overall score | | 77% | | How many would do it again? | | 93% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 70% | | PB potential | | 81% | | Atmosphere | | 64% | | Organisation | | 71% | | Value | | 72% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 73% |
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2005 race reviewed by: Steve Hughes 11
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Really nice for a first race
In full: My first ever half and one I hold dearly. It's a very cold time of year to run but you feel warm inside when you complete it. Crowds were great considering the temperature. Certainly a good one for beginners - I've been running ever since!
Date of review: November 19, 2012
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2010 race reviewed by: Captain Hook
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great race - one for the PB hunters
Date of review: March 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Pauline Mackey
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The start times for each race were too close together... Baggage a complete shambles
In full: race starts were a complete mix up, the start times for each race were too close together.
should have started with the 13.1. then had a 15 min interval before the shorter races.
Baggage hell is the only way to describe it, cold and hungry at the end and a 90 min wait to retreive bag.
Venue was good a lot more work will need to go into the organisation to redeem the reputation of this race.
Date of review: March 15, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: exiled geordie
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Chaotic start but pleasant run once going
In full: Any race in February is going to be at the mercy of rain or worse, but as a first timer and new runner I was a bit lost. The baggage drop was chaotic and in the end descended into a free for all. I got to the back of the field where I belonged for the start and found myself with the dog walkers and pram pushers, hence the 6+ minutes to find the start line. The marshalls on the route were fantastic in their support and many thanks are due to them. The end of the race was a bit chaotic as well - people were running after me to swipe my bib number. I was disappointed not to get any sort of goody bag - having eventually got my kit back and showered the tea stand was packing up. It was a long walk back to the town centre car parks to get some fluids.
I did get a PB - but I am a slow "runner"
I checked my time on the Monday and again later in the week - my Bib time was now 7 seconds longer when I checked the second time for some reason.
As a newcomer to running I will probably do it again, but come more prepared next time.
Date of review: March 3, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Shellbo
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: C Grade - could do better !!
In full: Overall, sorry to say, but an average race. The good points just outweigh the bad. I will be back again as it is a local race to me and it's a good quality field. There are some significant areas the organisers need to manage better and other areas that are very good. If the organisers can sort out the race's 'FRAYED EDGES' they'll have a truly great race on their hands. Read on if you're interested.
BAD POINTS:
1)The control at the start is awful. I spent 4 miles overtaking people who were directed to the sub 1hr:20 zone when they were clearly +2hr runners (not the runners fault).
2)The bag drop tent didn't seem very well managed at all.
3)The finish area was a right mess.People were all over the place & I had to go back for my medal because I missed the people handing them out.
4)No Goody-bag either, even a bottle of water and a Mars Bar (other Chocolate bars are available) would have been nice.
GOOD POINTS:
1)Fast flattish course.
2)Very well marshalled (on route).
3)Good local support.
4)Excellent medal.
5)Great water stations (plenty & in right place)
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR :-)
Date of review: March 3, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Morff
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Always a great run, can seem tough over the motorways - but worth the trip
In full: Thank you again for a fantastically organised event. It wouldn't be Wokingham 1/2 without bad weather - even when ran in May they were unlucky as it was exceptionally hot - all part of the experience. Any runner with sense will judge the weather and prepare accordingly.
I have done Wokingham for a few years now and it really starts my year off on a good foot(pardon the pun!).
Again though, there really does need to be a toilet at one of the water stations (7mile), I as well as many others, end up nipping behind trees - not nice for a lady - but a common runners problem!
As for comment about goodies at the end - Reading Road Runners get Lucozade to attend Bramley event and they give away recovery bars, gels and drinks. Might be worth considering them in future (though I do think they were at Wokingham in 2009) to keep your costs down. Marshals are FANTASTIC, they clap and encourage all the way around - great motivators. Well done
Date of review: February 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Anthony O'Dwyer
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Nice race ruined by the lack of organisation at the start.
In full: A very nice scenic route which is relatively flat, so good potential for a quick time. Unfortunately this race was ruined by the complete shambles that was the bag check in at the start area.
Hanging around for half an hour in the wind and rain is not the ideal preparation for the start of a race. In the end had to abandon bags in the massage tent, due to the rather unhelpful announcer telling everyone the race was about to start.
This was a shame because otherwise the race was well marshalled throughout the route.
Date of review: February 26, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Mr. K.
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A quick, scenic course. With a couple of corrections then it will be a cracker of an event.
In full: A good flat, quick scenic course. Worth an early year PB attempt. With a couple of small corrections - mainly at the start then this really would be a cracker of an event. The rain was a shock compared to last year`s event and didn`t help before the start. All said and done still a good event. Thanks for all your hard work. Roll on next year.
Date of review: February 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Martin Connor
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: A fast, flat and scenic race.
In full: I really enjoyed this race and would definitely do it again. The route went entirely through scenic countryside and was very flat so it was fast and a really nice environment.
It was quite crowded for the first mile or so but then spread out a bit and I felt there was plenty of room to pass people or let others passed me. The marshals and locals turning out along the route were brilliant. I think every marshal I passed was either clapping or cheering and it always helps me keep up the pace when the vibe around is really positive like that..
There were problems at the start with the slippery mud and queues around the baggage tent but I think the blame should not land entirely on the organisers. It seemed to me that a lot of runners, including myself, left it quite late to hand in their bags as they wanted to leave on their warm clothes and waterproofs as long as possible. This led to a sudden rush with about 15 minutes left before the start. It could have been better organised with separate in and out points and maybe some boards to walk on the grass but the downpour before it was unusually long and heavy so they weren't regular circumstances.
A bit disappointing that there was no goody bag at the finish as it wasn't a cheap race but the medal was very nice.
Well worth doing if you want a pop at your PB in amongst some nice scenery.
Date of review: February 24, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Lorna Benning
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good flat traffic free event through countryside and villages, not spoiled by the rain!
Date of review: February 24, 2010
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