Run to the Beat Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (128 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Rod Newing
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Difficult conditions, difficult course
In full: The weather, tube problems and a twisty course make this a difficult race on both years I have done it. Organisation and venue were disappointing both times.
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
|
2010 race reviewed by: Jeno111
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Mrs Billsy
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: dreadful lack of organisation - and music was less than other half marathons
In full: yes there were transport issues, but most runners were there on time - it was a chipped race - so why delay the start and have everyone standing in the freezing cold for an hour? start was very slow, hardly knew it had occurred - most of us still stressed from the queue for loos and bag drop! - race was sparcly marshalled, and very slow at drinks on the stations - water out of buckets?? (no drinks ready for when runners arrived). through the finish, a mass of people unlacing their shoes to remove time chips (why dont you send out ties to people and have help at the end?) no goodie bag, huge queues again for bags, hard to even get a drink.
if you are going to run a race for this many people, you need to invest in good solid organisation, train marshalls and have good facilites - over priced, only two live bands on the run, the rest of the music was sparce and not very loud (or inspiring) terribly dissapointing - would not recommend sadly.
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Helen Wilson 14
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very good course, appauling transport, no goodies, steep price.
In full: To be fair to the organisers, the course is a good one and demanding in places. You'd struggle to get a PB but it makes you feel very proud at the finish.
A decision really needs to be made, either improve the transport links or move the event somewhere else. Three years running, appauling transport. Dreadful transport back up which took the edge of the achievement.
Goody bag! why take away the goody bag? I saw participants walking away with boxes of shower gels, food bars and trays of drinks. The organisers should have had stewards on this to prevent it, however, come on runners. How dreadfully shelfish. No consideration with fellow runners. It's just not cricket!
Overall, if the transport was improved I would do it again. Big IF.
Had my ice bath, now chilling!
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Never Give Up Girl
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Mr NGUG's report who ran and mine who didnt.
In full: Mr NGUG's report his first half marathon:-
Organisation - terrible.
Transport due to Jubilee Line - terrible. There is only one transport route available for this venue. The buses stop and no other tube route.
Goodie bag - non-existent.
Medal - nice best bit.
Scenary was mixed from really nice to really grotty.
First half quite hilly especially Haha Road.. what sort of joke is that - mostly downhill thereafter but too tired to benefit enornmously.
Baggage collection - absolutely awful. Staff were fine but organisation faceless and queues awful. Chip collection was random one or two girls collecting whilst getting your baggage. No taking your chip first then you get your medal. Windy and too gusty.
NGUG's report:-
I was injured and had an fairly serious operation involving shaving bone off my hip and mending a labral tear and am on crutches now for four weeks. I had booked this months ago and the injury was certainly not something that I had planned - the race was to be Mr NGUG's first race on my birthday. All indicated to the organisors when I wrote to tell them asking if I could defer. Amsterdam Marathon which was my autumn marathon were v.polite deferred me for a year although they dont have a derral policy. These guys were positively offensive said I had to tell them 90 days prior to the race start if I wanted to defer.. but wow the generousity they would offer me a preferential place for next year which I could pay for at the full price. No reply to my other queries concerning the chip.. general impression faceless uninterested organisation runs this.
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: longboat
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Didn't light my fire
In full: The delays were an issue, but a lot of people had managed to get there on time, and it still took 35 minutes to get everyone over the start line, so why not go for it
The lack of goody bags seemed pointless and gimmicky - for those that ran fast enough there were plenty of cereal bars etc, but that just lead to everyone grabbing handfuls, hence the comments below about others missing out. Either give stuff out - to everyone, or don't.
A small thing, but I also found the mile markers really misleading, given they were up to 200 yards apart - which one do I take my time from?
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Running Rick
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A lot of work for what it was
In full: Delay was a real pain and cold, I was under the impression it was a 9:45 start, I got over the start line at 11:05, but I believe this was down to the tube. Drinking water from cups was a pain and often delayed, GNR, VLM, bottles, much easier and quicker. I only really appreciated the music on the double turn backs, mostly DJ sets, no great shakes, more of a gimmic. Had to chase running pack via their office, very difficult to got hold of organisers. Good point, plenty of loo's. Work in progress I would say, especially for £35.00. T-shirt would be nice for this money?
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: chicken drumsticks
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I gave it another go after 2008 but won't be back in 2011
In full: Two years ago the race wace delayed an hour in torrential rain (obviously the weather could not be avoided) The Peninsula in Greenwich is a nightmare because there's only one way in and out. I didn't think it was well organised, not able to cope with huge numbers of people. Some staff surly and unhelpful (i have done this job myself) Run to the beat theme not really a good description. Live bands were good but a car stereo and a cd would have done the same job as the Ministry of Sound vans. I have done many half marathons around the country so have some experience and this one just doesn't measure up. Why has this race been twice delayed by the best part of an hour? ... well i'm comparing to the Marathon I guess.
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Louise Davey
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Not impressed with Music, Pens, Price and lack of freebies
In full: This was my first half marathon, had high expectations but they were soon dashed! I understand about the delay but ltd information. Was in Pen 4 and it took 35 minutes to get to the start, pretty seized up by then. Course ok and marked out clearly, thanks to the locals for giving their support it really helped. Very disappointed about the music was expecting pumping music for most of the route. As previously said not a crumb of a cereal bar to be had, despite finishing in just over 2hrs - can't believe some would take whole boxes - how rude! Organisers can learn a lot from the British 10k organisers, double as many participants which flowed very well. Not sure about next year - 3 parks maybe!!
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: Matt Clare
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loads of drink stations, fantastic route through Greenwich/Woolwich/Blackheath, superb goodies. Only the useless Jubille Line let the race down.
Date of review: September 26, 2010
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
