Marlow Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (427 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: James Steatham
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Cleary a good race but conditions not great yesterday
In full: I enjoyed the day despite the conditions. However, there were one or two organisational issues: (a) the lack of saftey pins; and (b) worse - lack of showers when they had been advertised in the literature and even a marshall told me I could get a nice hot shower at the Marlow striders club house. However, when I walked down there, it was all locked up and several other runners were changing on the verandah!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: RAB-C
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Driving rain, headwinds, deep puddles, hills = great challenge!
In full: This is a really tough one, but ultimately somewhat satisfying! The atmosphere is always good and the support and encouragement from the Marshalls and others never ceases to amaze me, as they endured the rain and wind for longer than most had to! Autumnal Chiltern scenery is wonderful. The winding hill at 8 miles burns the calves, and the one at 11 miles reminds you that you are not home yet! Great 1.5 mile downhill to the finish. Well organised. Will be back!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Dominic Maxwell
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great fun in the hills and rain
In full: First time doing this course and will be back every year, has to be one of the best halfs around. Well done Marlow Striders!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Paul Scullion 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tougher than Andy McNab
In full: Take one existing tough course, add some wind, rain and a blanket of leaves and you have the recipe for a healthy challenge!
I woke up on Sunday morning to the sound of pouring rain. Having had around 3 hours sleep thanks to some horrible little tykes letting off massive fireworks until 3:30am, I didn't exactly jump out of bed raring to go.
I completed this as my first half last year and I loved it then, so I thought it would be rude not to turn up. I'm so glad I did - will be back next year.
If the organisers could arrange for lightning strikes and flash floods for next year it would make it even more fun!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Bims Ajadi
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hilly Hell
In full: My first Marlow half marathon race and I had been pre-warned that it was err.. "hlly". Having completed Henley Half a few weeks ago I tought I was stronger. But NO !! This is a really tough but beautiful course, the weather was shocking but the marhsalls and little kids with water were so motivating and I absolutely loved my t-shirt at the end. I was hard enough. But never again.
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: baxter
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Great fun, soaked through before crossing starting line, tough hills, grreat organisation, see you next year...
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Pendle Hill
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Heaven and hills
In full: Quite simply the toughest thing I've ever done. Floods, torrential rain, gales and cramp in both legs didn't stop me getting a PB and getting under 2 hours for the first time (just!). Thanks to the marshalls, who were inspirational.
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Harvi
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough but I loved it!
In full: Well done Marlow Striders! Really impressed with the organisation. I knew this would be tough but nothing prepared me for that hill at around mile 8. It seemed to go on forever and when you think no more hills, there's another killer at around 11 miles. The last mile is superb. The rain, wind, puddles didn't spoil the race at all. The marshalls were amazing. Every single one was cheering although there was one at around mile 5 - he shouted 'all downhill from here!" Yeah right!. This is a must for everyone and I got a PB! My legs ache today though. Brilliant.
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Bob Gill 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent organsiation, tough course but very beautiful. Shame about the rain!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Alison Salmond
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: This is my favourite half marathon of the year!
In full: Friendly, people out cheering even in the torrential rain, hilly and tough, well organised - I just love this race - although I still hurt! Definately back next year - it's greaattt!
Date of review: November 2, 2009
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