Larking Gowen City of Norwich Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (267 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: RyanN
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyable day for all standards
Date of review: September 20, 2009
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2008 race reviewed by: Vicks *
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Thanks for waiting!
In full: Thanks to organisers for delaying the start after access was blocked on the main road into town (Well done Norwich Council!) lovely fast course and perfect conditions. I'll be back next year, but by train!
Date of review: December 24, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: BaardG
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice race
Date of review: December 13, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: midnight_fox13
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My local, first 'real' race, definitely do again
In full: This was my first real race and I didn't get a great time (although still a PB for me!) but I really loved it. The marshalls were wonderful and the support was brilliant. I am so impressed by the support of local people who stood in the cold for hours to cheer on even the slowest runners like me - they all deserve a medal too. I had high fives from kids and cheers from people of all ages which I really appreciated as my partner couldn't make it to cheer me on. In my opinion the Norfolk countryside this race goes through is wonderful (although I'm prehaps biased) and the organisers can't help the weather.
Stop moaning about the car parks - it was wet, yes, but there were tractors on hand if you needed help, and given the reviews last year, you should have left extra time. It's clear from the website the race starts from the showground, so come prepared. Additionally, it's clear from the website the route doesn't go through the city, it's just that the city club runs it - again, look into the race before you enter.
I will definitely be back next year, and chasing a new PB!
Date of review: December 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ryan Fisher 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My Local
In full: Really liked the race - took 10mins off my PB, First time under 90mins :-)!
Was slow to get parked - more parking options/entrances perhaps. Not a massive problem, just a slight delay to start time.
Only issue I had was the lack of support.
Marshalling way adequate.
Don't understand why would you want to run with an Ipod in a race? Make conversation, it's not like you are running on your own!
I'll be back next year!
Definitely recommended
(Goody Bag a bit Poor)
Date of review: December 3, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Marge S
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Cold! Muddy! But a PB for me, so who cares?
In full: I'd really worked hard for this one, thanks to a new "virtual coach"! (Thanks, PB!)I'm happy with the time of year - too many stories of hospital admissions from the June races of the past. Lovely medal, but rubbish goodie bag!
Date of review: December 3, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: running on
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Enjoyable race, hopefully see you next year.
In full: Why is this race getting so much criticism?
I live in West Yorkshire [among the lovely, runner-friendly hills], but stay in Norfolk regularly and always fit in a local race if possible.
I entered this one months ago, knew it was November so didn't expect it to be tropical [still ok in just vest and shorts though]. I have 5 races before Jan 2nd, expect each one to be cold [2 are off road and will be done in snow or whatever]
Read the bit about no ipods in the advance info booklet, "who cares?", ipods are ok for long lonely solitary winter training runs, not for racing.
Also read the route before I entered so didn't expect to go near the city centre [believe there is a race in summer which does], but this was a good fast, flatish course.
Only slight moan was access on and off car park, needs more gates open if poss, but I think this race may have grown quicker than the organisers thought it would.
It's a massive task for a local club to organise a race on this scale, and City of Norwich AC did a brilliant job - well organised, well marshalled, adequate drinks stations, good information and communication before the day, [nice touch, announcing the finishers by name]
Some improvements may be needed to get cars in and out of the showground more quickly, but I can't see why the race is attracting any other criticism. I travelled 200 miles and will do it again next year.
All in all, as a club runner doing 40 or so races a year, I think the organisers did a great job and would like to see this one go from strength to strength.
Date of review: December 3, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Rooney Tevez
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Thank you for an excellent day
In full: I just can't believe how some people come on here and moan about the slightest thing. I bet they've never organised a race themselves. It's no surprise that this race attracted over 2,500 (I think) entries and is BARR gold graded. The medal and t-shirt were excellent, the chip timing arrangements were really impressive, the marshals and people at the water stations were just so encouraging. And you can't blame Norwich AC for the soggy car parks. Just lighten up and give credit where it's due, please!!
Date of review: December 2, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: BARRY Frost 5
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Brrrr! I'm getting the feeling I must be a fair-weather racer, and am running our of supporters who are prepared to brave 2-3 hours without a warm pub to retreat to!!
In full: "City of Norwich", eh? I think not!
Norwich is an atractive city, but we saw none of it, as the closest we got was several miles to the west of it, beyond the bypass.
Instead, just a cold, desolate showground, followed by featureless country lanes full of puddles, and an anti-climactic finish to look forward to.
After a delayed start I was losing the will to bother come the second lap. Worst time by a long way.
And what was there for supporters?
Why call it a City race when it isn't?
I wonder Norwich - any chance we can try running through the centre, where I'm sure the local support would be fantastic, and help motivate those of us daft enough to run at this time of year?
(Start and finish at Carrow Road, perhaps? Just a thought....?)
Date of review: December 2, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: robert ledger
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Poor organisation prior to race start - confusion over car parking, no clear signposting on the show ground itself and late starting
Date of review: December 2, 2008
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