Pharmalink Maidenhead Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (115 votes). | 101 to 110 of 115 ratings | Page: First | -10 | 11 12 |
2011 race reviewed by: Dan Clark 10
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good and fast paced course with potential of a new PB.
In full: I have also highlighted the same problems that most have put down. The start does need to be looked at for next year. They defiantly need more port-a-loos as normally I wouldn't expect to Que up 1.5hrs before the race begins.
As with most the fiasco at the baggage (vans) was an absolute joke, why should we end up being baggage party because your vans are too small. Someone mentioned the weather, you should always plan for all weather, this is the UK after all. I like most had to wait up to 45mins to get my bag(not happy). Other than that if they can iron out these few problems then I will be back next year as Maidenhead is a nice town and so is the surrounding areas.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: johnty
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Good flat course, few organisational wrinkles to sort but overall good
In full: I enjoyed this first-time half marathon. Knowing the area I was particularly looking forward to the stretch along the Thames and I wasn't disappointed.
There were obvious issues with the start to sort and in the coming years I'm sure that this will change.
With this race and the Easter 10 Maidenhead has two races it can be proud of.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Foxy Lady
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race: despite the later deluge!
In full: Another great race by Purple Patch; few teething troubles which they will no doubt learn from and iron out by next year. Love the "keep your number" approach. Got a shiny new PB despite an ongoing injury so pleased. Nice crowd support on the way round too.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Tim A
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Will be a great race in years to come
In full: Really enjoyed the first MHM and as it is local I will certainly be back. The overlapping start problem didn't affect me very much, but if this race gets more popular a different start will be needed. Otherwise everything was very smooth. Parking so close to the start made it really easy. I picked up my number this morning and it took no time all. The marshalls were great and the locals fantastic. Great to see so many people out on the streets offering sweets etc. I am sure I could smell bacon rolls as I passed one small group!
My only serious complaint is the distance. The course was fractionally short, which would be a real shame for those chasing PBs. Sometimes it doesn't matter if the distance is correct but on a fast flat course it has to be right.
Well done to Purple Patch for a good first race - see you next year.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ini Ekwo
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great Race.
In full: It was well-organised - it delivered what it promised. It started on time. The route was well marked and well marshalled. The water stations were well manned and not overcrowded (could use small bottles instead).
They are a few things though that they could improve on. A different and wider starting point to prevent the overcrowding experienced today. They might want to consider staggered starts and finally they should always plan for when the weather takes a turn for the worst. When the rain started pouring down today I noticed everything was kind of disrupted there for sometime especially in the baggage area.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: ingy 1962
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic race and brilliant support around the 13.1 miles
In full: A flat, fast race with a great atmosphere. There was a bit of a glitch at the start when we caught up the slower runners just starting out but this did not spoil the race in my view. This will certainly be a regular favourite annual race in my view.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: trailing tortoise
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast and flat, shame about the start and the weather!
In full: The start was very chaotic, with the faster runners having to 'lap' the back runners on the small initial lap - this is something I am sure that could have been avoided with a slight route change elsewhere in the course!
I woud do this again but would check that this route issue was sorted and also I would expect for the entry fee to get more than a medal which I had to collect from the table myself, a banana and a cup of water. Maybe the race needs better sponsors!
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: TopSpur
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I really enjoyed Maidenhead's first!
In full: Good to support our neighbours in Maidenhead. Definitely a PB course (I knocked 3 minutes off my previous best) with some great stretches, especially along the Thames. The locals and marshals I thought were fantastic - very friendly and encouraging - a big thank you to each of them for standing out in that rain! The negatives have already been mentioned - and I'm sure these will be sorted for next year. Excellent car parking by the way!
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: pmo
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A good first attempt, with a flat a fast course
In full: Starting in the middle of the pack I didnt experience the fast runner overlap, but was amazed that we all came to a halt after 20 yards when the course narrowed for a pedestrian crossing. Maybe move the start further down to avoid this?
The course itself was flat and quick, and pretty scenic. No complaints about the water stations -cups are fine if you want to carry water, bring your own bottle - and were staffed by enthusiastic volunteers. Many thanks for the support from the local community, it helped when pushing through the rain for the last few miles.
Didnt use the baggage service either - we were starting within 200 yards of the car park.
This is the first 'big' race Ive done with Purple Patch, and I think they did well - it's a far cry from the QMR series in terms of numbers and location. I'm sure they'll take on board the comments and make amendments where possible. Looking forward to wearing the same number next year.
Thanks to the marshals, you did a great job.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Dave D
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyed the race, inevitably not perfect organisation for initial race
In full: Enjoyed the route and great to get support along the whole route. A particular thanks to all the marshals who stood out in the rain (personally I am happy with plastic cups of water rather than bottles). The problems with the short first lap didn't affect me but did seem a rather obvious oversight. Sorry to see the long queues to the toilets at the start, but fortunately I tried the ones inside town hall which were much shorter. The baggage trucks at the end need to be sorted out. Waiting while they try to find one bag in a pile of 1,000 when you are cold and wet is not my idea of fun. Seems pretty simple to sort out and if so I'll be back.
Date of review: September 4, 2011
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