Bristol Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (888 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Spanjo
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race, pretty flat, good atmosphere- not much of a crowd support
In full: Quite fast race, got a PB but the Crowd support was very sparse maybe because of the weather. Poor idea to strap chip to laces with sticky tape- passed so many on the road and i was in the first half of race- spent most of the race looking down to see if mine was still attatched. Overall a good pleasant race, ideal for beginners but fast enough for more experienced
Date of review: September 14, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Martyn Summerfield 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good organised race, but the course wasnt as quick as I expected.
Date of review: September 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Richard Brown 41
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: First timer half marathon - really enjoyed it
In full: Summary says it all. First ever half marathon so PB achieved!! Have to say I was gutted to be 7 seconds over 2 hours, would have been happier with 2 hours, 2 minutes but thoroughly enjoyed myself and have the running bug. Just thinking about which event next!
A big thank you to a a more experienced runner called Helen who set a great pace for me. I didn't wish to sound like a stalker so didn't ask for your contact details and didn't know what the etiquette was for that. I wish we had so I could thank you and next time challenge myself to keep up for the full 13 miles!!
Date of review: September 11, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: BrokeButTri'ng
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised, fast course
In full: I thought the race was well organised compared to some of the others I have recently run. Knocked 4 minutes of my previous best time due to the course being virtually flat. I had no problem with the timing chip, there was noway it was coming off and still felt as secure at the end.
Nice t-shirt at the end.
Drink stations were well manned and nice to see some with energy drinks on too.
The price was the only set back but all in all a great half marathon imho.
Date of review: September 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: NV89104
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Knocked 3 minutes off last years time, and 45 seconds off my PB, so overall I was happy.
In full: I can't believe I forgotten about the last couple of miles- cut backs, a few small hills, cobbles and a brass band in the park which I've never actually heard play in 3 years.
I thought the park and ride worked well. Especially as I arrived a lot earlier than normal. I had no problems with the organisation. Why don't they put a net up behind the water bottle skips? People's aim whilst tired and running isn't too hot! I think most bottles ended up in the river. Although it was raining, my family managed to keep themselves entertained in the runners village. Finally, I wish I never let the lady handing out the t-shirts talk me out having an XL, my large has shrunk already after just 1 wash!
Date of review: September 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Richard N
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: Said I would never do it again after 2004, but this was an improvement overall. Better organised than the recent 10k and at least the public toilets were open this time!
The timing chip problem could have been caused by the lack of V shaped cuts on the sticky bit; they are unbreakable!
Date of review: September 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Thecrouchender
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Average race, i ran a PB so i'm happy, but there were tight turns and hills in the last miles. Tacky t-shirt, nice few scenic miles along the portway. Average
Date of review: September 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Paul Bibby 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyable, generally well organised (except for the chips), but not good value.
Date of review: September 9, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: johntier
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A race of two halves
In full: The Pros:
"fast" and flat down the portway.
plenty drinks and the lucozade helped.
great crowd support in the rain to lift the moral.
matched my best (and only other!) half mararathon time in the Great North from 10 years ago.
Start Finish area had plenty goign on, loved the Asics video treadmills.
The Cons.
split start - I was in the second start (my predicted time on entry: 1hr 45, I ran 1:45:05) and spent the last 5 miles running through crowds of slower runners from the first start - had they fibbed about finish times?
Timing chips - thank god I laced mine up.
COBBLES COBBLES COBBLES COBBLES COBBLES. which is single footedly blame for the pain in my left foot, or should I say Peroneal Tendon. COBBLES thats a month off running then.
Agree with others that the centre section is winding and hilly too and as such not the fastet course I've run at all.
Date of review: September 8, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: justowen1
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyable - could be better, but could be worse!
In full: A mixed bag of a race with lots of good points but other things that could be significantly better. The route has some lovely scenery but the looping round the city centre wasn't the best for motivation, although canny supporters could get to lots of cheer spots. The wet cobbles meant 'head down' for quite a while. Definite PB potential - I managed a much faster time than expected. Smooth orgaisation with plenty of crowds, given the weather, but some marshalls could have been more encouraging. The foil blanket was very much needed given the detours required to get back across the route after the finish. NOT value for money - expensive with very little to show for it, but not unexpected for a large city race. I'll probably be back next year.
Date of review: September 8, 2010
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