Hastings Lions Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (739 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Paul McCleery
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: toughest half in the south
Date of review: February 13, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: Jason Hill 9
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The 'must do' half marathon of the year - great crowd spur you on and the view of the seas from the top of the hills is refreshing!
Date of review: March 29, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: TriWill
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A must do race.
In full: If only for the 7mile up-hill start.....
Date of review: March 29, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: mark clawson
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: a well organised and friendly race
In full: really enjoyed this race, very well organised and the support from the hastings locals was fantastic and really helped to push you on. i will be back again next year.
Date of review: March 28, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Karen Samuel
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: If you are a 'running driven' like myself, I would highly recommend this race to you runners.
In full: Folks, if you were meant to entered the UK Half Hastings Marathon but entered for the Hastings Half Marathon in New Zealand you should have gone to SpecSavers!
Easter is coming! So here’s a race to put the SPRING back into your step, the UK 26th Hastings Half Marathon 2010.
This race is guaranteed to turn heads and cause a bit of a stir and will cause most Race Directors all over U.K to be dumbstruck and shellshock. In other words their jaws will drop! Because everyone is talking about the Hastings Half Marathon.
This race has eight miles of notorious hills guaranteed to wipe that smile off your face and will blow your mind and your legs!
The Good news is that the last 5 miles are flat, which is pure joy. It’s a great race and hilly in places. I turned and said to the gentleman beside me at the finishing line ‘Ron that’s was Hilly’! He did not respond.
RUNNERS, I had a problem with my spell-checker, but it’s knot a problem because I am a grate speller and also I have the Oxo Dictionary as my mane backup. I just need to watch my P’s and Q’s.
The Hasting Half Marathon has been voted UK Best Half Marathon, it’s also been claimed that it was once the WORLD best half Marathon. So I just had to find out for myself.
This hilly half Marathon is known to be tougher than the Tunbridge Half Marathon and which can command up-to 5,000 runners.
I like the horse brass memento that we received at the finishing line.
It makes a pleasant change from any other mementos! I have knot received one for a few years. The quick chip timing results were also impressive as ever. I loved the idea your times can be forwarded to you by text which was a nice touch.
I was in two minds whether to run this race or knot, I had my eyes on a much flatter half marathon, but instead I decided to run the Hastings Half Marathon with my club Orpington Road Runners – ORR.
I Must say, when I saw those hills in Hastings, I thought to myself ‘Beam me up Scottie’.
Now what really upset the apple cart was I paid two pounds extra on Hastings Lion Club – the official site for the Hastings Half Marathon. If I had gone onto RUNNERS WORLD Web Site it would have cost me two pound less!
Hastings also has that touchy feely atmosphere like the London Marathon, which makes it very appealing to runners. The crowds lined the streets shouting and cheering – great stuff. I loved every minute of it.
But it can be just a bit too congested. I was stuck at the back as I tried to get to the front but, with little luck. I was ducking and diving and bobbing and weaving to find space to run.
Mr. Harwick - The Race Director you gained many Brownie points for the Bag Pipe players that was outstanding. The drummers were also good.
However, the following need to be addressed:- insufficient signs for toilets; not enough portaloos; additional signs identifying the drink tent (I was not aware there was a drink tent); more signs identifying the baggage tent -I was not to keen to leave my top on muddy floor after the race as I later found that some runner had left their muddy, massive hooves marks all over my new Orpington top! Also one water station should provide small bottles of water instead of cups all through the race. I ran out of mine, because of the weather was bit hot. Furthermore I wasn’t aware that there were goody bags at the finishing line. So I did not get one!
That said, I am very pleased I ran Hastings Half Marathon. I did not think I was fit enough for this race. I’d like to thank the female runner who encouraged me as I approached the finishing line. She was a 'Great Sport'.
Congratulation and well done to The Race Director Eric Harwick MBE for organising such a great race. Like Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon this race was able to attrack I mean attract some well known Running Clubs such as:
Kent Athletic Club, Orpington Road, Runners, Petts Wood Runners and
Bromley Veterans Athletic Club that absolutely amazing!
MBE – I don’t know that Running Club. Can I Join?
Between you and me runners, I think it’s going to be head to head between Tunbridge Half and Hastings Half marathon for RUNNERS WORLD title for the 'Best Half Marathon in Britain'.
To the Editor-in-Chef and RUNNER’S WHIRL on-line editors, I hope you were impressed with my spelling! I am also impressed with your multi-talented skilful editing – “You clever finsâ€. If you ever want any help with spelling and your grandma, look no further, I’m hear to help. Police don’t report me to the moderator!!! Like your shelves you can tell I am committed to running.
To Alice Palmer from RUNNERS WORLD Online team you did your Mum proud.
I just like to mention that:
Adventist Development and Relief Agency) ADRA-UK Fun Run will be held at Crystal Palace Park Thicket road, SE20 8DT
on Sunday 18th April 2010 at 10am. http://www.secadventist.org/event/175
This event is for runners and walkers.
No entry fee but T-shirt can be purchase at £3.00 – on the day. Just turn up on the day. Free Parking is available at the National Sports Centre, at the top of Crystal Palace Park.
For additional information about ADRA please visit the following web page. http://www.adrauk.org/
Alternatively more details can be found on Croydon ADRA Event web page
or write to ADRA-UK (Event Organiser)
25 St. Johns Road, Watford, Herts, WD17 1PZ
Also the Myra Garrett 10k (Bexley AC 10k) is 11am on 23rd May 2010. (Please note correction of time). Getting the time wrong could be a sackable offence. (It’s a good thing I didn’t work for Henry VIII because heads might be rolling). I think I should leave the advertising of races to RUNNERS WORLD.
REMEMBER THE CLOCK GOES ONE HOUR FORWARD ON SATURDAY NIGHT OF 27th MARCH 2010
- Drat! There is No rest for the wicked.
Date of review: March 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Dazza77
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race
In full: Good race, although I heard people over 500 place didnt get a goody bag!
Date of review: March 27, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Lee Dobson
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very tough course, killer up hills and down hills but a friendly race, great atmosphere.
In full: A very surreal experience, passing a congregation outside the church singing hymns as you went past was the strangest race moment I have ever had, but made me smile. Tons of community support all the way around. Thought the hill between miles 2-5 was never going to end. All in all a very enjoyable race. I finished in under 1:32, considering the hills, I was really pleased with this, but don't expect a personal best in this race. Just do it for the atmosphere...
Date of review: March 25, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Mr. Fink-Nottle
| | 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: Hard, hilly, tough but good
In full: This was my fifth consecutive running of this race, which has become a 'must do' race each year, such is its significance.
As always, it turns out to be a superb fitness test both physically and mentally, and psychologically too. The townsfolk of Hastings always lend their support to the race, especially at Harley Shute Road and at the top of Queensway to applaud the significant efforts made by all taking part, and at many points along The Ridge. Well done to the scouts manning the drinks stations and the tea tent at the finish, to the friendly marshals and all concerned with the organisation, especially Hastings Lions Club. Wonderful horse brass memento as usual.
Next year? You bet, despite new aches and pains!!
Date of review: March 23, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Chris Argyle
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Really good well organised race
Date of review: March 23, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Eddie Wattenbach
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Never thought I would run a PB on this course.....
In full: Not for the faint-hearted! Most of the first 5 miles are up hill - but then again what goes up must......
Date of review: March 23, 2010
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