St Albans Review Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (397 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: _Kieren
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% |
In short: Start and finish in a beatiful park
In full: Good transport links and ample parking made this easy to get to. Known for being hot, the organisers were well prepared with water every 1.5 miles - brilliant!
Undulating course kept the race interesting without slowing the pace too much. Over all a great race I'd do again.
Areas that could be improved would be a wider start (it'sa bit narrow for the first mile) and better organisation at the finish. It wasnt clear where to get medals / tshirts etc
Date of review: June 10, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: JT9
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Very tough, hot and hilly. Goog marshalling & water stations. Not impressed being given children's 1.5 mile finishers t shirt!
Date of review: June 10, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Andy Keates
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: LOved it - even for my first one - nailed it!
Date of review: June 10, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Chezzi
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hot, tough (first-timer), and no lolly at the end - shame on you St Albans!!
In full: It was incredibly well marshalled - I have done the half marathon three times before as a walker, and there have never been so many marshalls - who were very good at lifting the spirits! (by the way - I thought the walkers weren't allowed to run - so why were so many breaking into quite a jog?!) Many water stations too, which, with the heat, were very welcome. The hills combined with the heat were a bit of a killer for me, and the lack of too much atmosphere at the end - I've had a better response in the past coming in as a 'lowly walker' than I did this year as a runner, which rather killed the moment for me. And then not too have a lolly, and have to search for a medal and t-shirt I thought was pretty poor, but I will be back, and hope mistakes have been learnt from, from all concerned!
Date of review: June 10, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: kevin hope
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: not great
In full: not enough water - i had to queue at every water station, i was even refused water at one point because 'it was for the walkers'! an outrage! not enough toilets and just too many confused officials.
Date of review: June 10, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Robert Moss
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good water provision on course but lure of an end-of-race ice cream was a cruel hoax!ll
Date of review: June 10, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: bazely 3
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Quite hot on the day, poor finish provisions.
In full: Very hot on the day, but has been hotter. Better course, I agree good with no town centre run. Finish provisions very poor, no lolly or sports drink, my brother didn't even get a medal and t-shirt.
Date of review: June 9, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: knotted lace
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I reiterate the common points - Route, atmosphere, Marshalls were top notch; but finish was poor.
In full: This was my 8th St Albans half. Marshalls were the best ever; hills and sun go without question - that's why I do it!! But what happened to the finish?? Last I year I did 1:40ish and scoffed 2 lollies. This year I was slower and had none - which made be feel guilty for last year but also, like others, sufficiently put out to write this note. That is really not fair. I also agree with the comments about lack of direction at the finish - It rather takes away the sense of achievement - particularly sad for first timers who should quite justifiably feel proud after a course like that and want to revel in the moment. I'll be back next year. But, organisers, heed the points people here are making to ensure this event remains so popular.
Date of review: June 9, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: EB953
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: good organisation and race until the finish line then no drinks, no iced lolly and murder leaving the car park
Date of review: June 9, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Rebecca Coates 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: well organised and marshalled on the day. At times walkers and runners appeared to risk head on collisions!
Date of review: June 9, 2008
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