Sussex Beacon Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (483 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: Big Slow Tel
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: OK, but too many runners for course and finish area was a joke
In full: Firstly thanks to marshals and supporters for turning out in such poor weather. There were far too many runners for the size of the course causing frequent bottlenecks and stoppages. Finish area was an absolute shambles, had to wait for people to filter out of the way so that I could actually cross the finish line. To put the bag drop before the finish line was ludicrous, people had to walk back down the course into the oncoming runners to collect their bags! Also, as a slower runner, it is quite disheartening the number of times you have to pass the faster runners coming back towards you, but given the late course change this may have been unavoidable. Overall it could be a great race if the number of runners is restricted or the course improved. Also thought £22 entry was a bit steep given there was no goody bag and only a medal for my efforts.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: kelly cummins
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor organisation at start, no separate pace waves, unsecured bag drop
In full: Very poor access at the start, no signs for the bag drop and not many marshals to ask. Would be much better if they had different waves according to your speed as I had to spend the first 5 miles overtaking and difficult on the narrow streets in the first few miles. The main road was open on a small part of the course and not enough space on the pavement and poor marking. To top it off I got back to the bag drop and there were no staff/volunteers guarding the bags, it would have been a thief's heaven, luckily nothing taken from my bag. It's a shame the organisation was poor, otherwise quite a nice course and venue.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Daniela Tufo
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 3rd year unlucky!
In full: After supporting for 2 years this was my first half-marathon and aside from the weather with was atrocious but can't be attributed blame, the course was disappointing in the number of repeated ground covered which meant yu didn't get to enjoy the diversity of the scenery in Brighton.
Also disappointing was the congestion of runners at certain key points where you were forced to stop and walk at more than one occasion.
I love the pink medal, but lack of goody bag this year was a shame. The fiasco with the parking was also a disaster this year, having parked at the marina for the last 2 years, to discover this year that we were supposedly not allowed to park there due to a "car boot sale" was ridiculous. Surely the car boot sale could have moved venue or date, and the organisers should been on top of this from the start and Brighton town council should have leant a helping hand.
Glad I did it, and the challenging weather made it all the more an achievement, and the race will always be special for sentimental reasons but I'm afraid to say I probably won't be back in hurry.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Andrew Bridger
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Most has been said in other posts so I'll not repeat it other toan to say I concur, but .......
In full: Thanks to all organisers, marshalls and supporters on such a foul weather day. Had I not been running I don't know that I would have stood in the elements for hours !
Were the shortcomings in the course a result of the need for the last minute course change ? I've not run this before so do not know.
I thought for the entrance price something more than just a medal might have appeared (especially with 8000 entries !) I know of many other races I've done at similar cost with goody bags or even 'teccie' souvenir running shirts.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Mick J
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: I don't know where to start
In full: I am Sorry to have to put this down but without it lessons will not be learnt.
Awful weather but that's always the risk at the seaside in February. Cold, wet and windy But that was for every one even spectators and the organisers. Who I thank for ALL there efforts.
This course did not seem able to handle this number of runners and for me it meant running through lots of slower runners and I had to run on the road a lot. I think start area grading shuld be setup so those who are there for just a fun run type event can do it with out getting taken out by club and elite runners. As has already been said the baggage drop was poorly organised, most runners had to climb in and get there own bags when we could find them, and right back down the finish area meant going right back through the area which was congested enough. Really bad congestion for the first three miles which wasn't helped by a large number of people obviously starting much too far forward. The first part through the town doesn't allow the field to spread out and a number of turns and narrow parts can cause bottlenecks.
Lots of people were wearing MP3 players and seemed unaware of the people around them, one ear free would be a good idea.
There are lots of marshals on the course and you've got to be grateful for them giving up their time on such a wet, cold and windy day but a lot of them didn't seem to be doing anything! At the start people weren't sticking to the course and were cutting corners but no attempt was made to stop them as sometimes it was the only way to be able to run. Along the prom people were wandering into the path of runners and I would have thought the marshals would be keeping the route clearer.
For me the finish was no problem but later after I had come back from getting my bag there was lots of queuing at the end to get your chip taken off and get out of the finish area. They were asking you to keep moving but you couldn't go anywhere.
For me personally: Congested start, and first 4miles. Mile Markers!!. Baggage Store Area NOT organised ( I know we left bags at our own risk but to have to climb in and get them after the finish!! )
Will I be back next year,NOT SURE at this date.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: boozy
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Terrible organisation ruined a potentially good race
In full: Even without the gale force wind and driving rain, this was a terrible race. Although the organisers couldn't help the change of route, they didn't seem to have planned anything around it. So the mile markers were non-existent, the water stations hidden around corners with no warning so you missed them, plus they were at ridiculous intervals (bananas at mile 2, slippage on skins by mile 3). There was very little attempt to separate runners from pedestrians or traffic resulting in severe hold-ups at some points. The finish line was completely congested, so much so it was hard to actually cross the line for some people. Plus the space blankets were handed out right at the end so everyone got even colder. The bag storage was not under proper cover and a free for all at the end resulting in wet, trampled bags. Poor effort all round considering it is such a big race. I definitely won't make the trip to do this one again.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Richard Thomas 9
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: One to forget
In full: I ran this event in 2007 and enjoyed it hugely. Sadly was a bit grim this time round, and that had nothing to do with the weather.
Too many runners (probably double the number from three years ago), too many bottlenecks, shambolic bag drop/pick-up, chaos at the finish, water stations that crept up on you from nowhere, passive marshalling, poor course planning, those blimmin' bollards...
Lots of things for the organisers to think about and I won't be rushing back to run here again, which is a real shame because this event has the potential to be brilliant.
That said, there was a certain grim satisfaction today in battling the elements, everyone was in good sprits and a massive pat on the back for the people of Brighton for supporting us so enthusiastically in atrocious conditions.
All in all, I had a good time despite everything. But I can't see me running this event again.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Thomas Easton
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Bad Weather not your fault but otherwise a bit of a shambles
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: 4dj
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Sadly this one needs some work or its going to become one to avoid!
In full: Firstly a BIG thank you to all the marshals and the supporters who turned out today in driving wind and rain and the odd bit of sleet. I have up most gratitude for everyone who turned out today … thank you.
The race however needs some serious work before next year as there were a number of issues with the organisation this year.
BAGGAGE DROP OFF: The baggage drop off area was poor; there were massive ques to drop off bags and not enough marshals taking bags. As a result many people were still waiting to get rid of their kit when the PA system said; that there were 3 minutes until the start and that late starters would not be allowed to run this year. When I went to collect my bag there was no security and people had to go in and get their own bag.
THE COURSE: The course is too small in places for the number of people running, the lanes bottle neck very quickly and the part where you head away from the city centre towards the Marina for the first time needs some work. Runners were running in the road towards on coming traffic as there simply was no room on the path. This is an issue that wrecks the PB potential of this race.
WATER STATIONS: The water stations need a little more notice for runners as at times people had to cross right across other runners to get a drink. Water is provided in a paper cup … I have never understood this, it’s simply impossible to drink on the run with a full cup of water.
MILE MARKERS: I saw 1, 2,3, 5 and 8 …. ?!? Maybe I wasn’t looking hard enough.
FINISH AREA: The finish area: I was lucky as I finished before the congestion go so bad people could not get over the finish mat. But once in the funnel I was stood for nearly 15 minutes whist people had their chips removed etc. This needed to be much bigger, as it simply is not acceptable to have runners who are soaking wet in freezing temperatures stood around for fifteen minutes after finishing a race!
This is a big race that is not the cheapest to enter. It has the potential to be excellent but the organisers need to listen to the runners and make some changes. This is my local ½ but not sure ill be bad.
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: johnny-the-eagle
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Far, far, far too many runners for the course
In full: This was also my 4th consequetive year. The event today was very disapointing compared to previous years. I have to agree with the previous posters especially with regard to the baggage shambles and the ludicrously oversized field. The start and first 3 miles were a complete farce - was there any attempt at zoning runners according to ability with such a large field? On at least 4 occasions the field was reduced to a walk as the Lanes simply cant cope with the volume of runners. There must be a safety issue as obstacles such as bollards simply cant be seen in time and I speak from experience today. A real pity as this is one of my favourite races and usually a good PB opportunity but the time lost in the early miles was simply not recoverable. Let's hope for better next year ..........
Date of review: February 21, 2010
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