Nike Milton Keynes Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (558 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Pellypoo1980
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Average race - mix of fast / club runners and amateurs
In full: Unlike a lot of others providing feedback I didn't find a problem with the organisation. However I didn't attempt to use the changing facilities.
Plenty of toilets at the start line - long queues certainly went down quickly.
Could have done with some form of timings system at the start, and a gun or tannoy to announce the start. Liked the chip timing.
Course was good - relatively flat (it is MK after all!) with some lovely scenery in the villages mixed with some pavement running along the main roads, and around Willen Lake. There are a lot of subways though with short steep downhills and short steep uphills which nag the calves after a while.
I thought there were lots of marshalls, and plenty of water at the stations.
Despite being quite a large field of runners, and a lot of the course being on pavements or narrow lanes, I didnt think it was too congested.
Field was quite friendly (apart from the eejits who cut across or randomly change direction then slow down without thinking about the people following them). There were some supporters, although many did watch not clap and support.
Last mile is a gradual incline, and the finish was a little chaotic - lots of people queuing for water and lucozade (thank you) and the (nice and chunky) medal. Would have been nice to have had an energy bar at the end.
The official race t-shirts were lovely, and a bargain at £10 but I would have personally preferred one of those to a medal. At £14 the race is a bargain, and for anyone who lives nearby or is using it as a warm up for London Marathon it is an ideal race.
I would do the race again, I think it has great potential although it is not one of my favourites.
There were huge queues of traffic to get out (again, I didnt suffer this but some of my friends did).
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: StripyRunner
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Shambolic!
In full: Having arrived in good time I was able to sit and observe the pushing and shoving in the inadequate 'Race HQ' which people had to queue to get in and out of. No clear signs around the venue and the couple I did see were handwritten on a scrappy piece of A4! The start was a jumble of runners with the slow mixed in (and obstructing) the fast. We barely heard the countdown and no such thing as a gun or loud noise to signal the start. Marshals were practically non-existent, even on dangerous points where runners could easily collide with vehicles. I missed several mile markers (were they even there?) and there were no warnings for water stations. The water stations were poor - not nearly enough people handing out so you had to pick up your own. The lids were still tightly fastened to the bottles and lucozade must have run out quickly. When I finally got over the line I was confronted with a huge crowd that was clearly going nowhere fast! We were being shouted at to move on and eventually received a mediocre wrapped medal for our efforts. No goody bag, nothing to eat and a miserable atmosphere. Can I think of a good point? I suppose sitting in a queue for an hour to get out of the carpark gave us plenty of time to moan about how bad it was!!
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Marc Hewitson 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Stop Moaning and just run!!!!
In full: The only reason i would not do this race again is because of the amount of whingers what do you expect for £14!!!!
Parking was good, water stations good and no problem at the end. The problem seems to be people arriving with 15 min to go and expecting to park on the start line, never having to wait for the toilet and a pick-nick hamper at the end. GET A LIFE!!!
Thanks Nadia for the support all the way along and the marshalls.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: FunkyD
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
In short: Runners let down by extremely poor organisation
In full: The race course was not particularly scenic. It wasn't hilly though so I think there is potential for PBs, although it took quite a long time to get away at the start as it was so crowded.
Course seemed too narrow in many places and especially just past the finish line.
Signs in general were not good with people tending to wander around aimlessly before and after the race or just following the crowd.
Baggage area was not manned, despite it saying in the race info pack that it would be. Had various items stolen from my bag and have heard quite a few people had things stolen.
The crowd support was sparse, with the majority of onlookers not cheering or applauding any runners.
the weather was nice though and there was a good atmosphere amongst the runners.
overall, terrible organisation and certainly the worst race i've ever taken part in, so i would not recommend it.
I don't like having to say negative things but I was very disappointed by the race.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Luke Perry
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A really good FLM warm up, loads of parking good facilities and a resonable course.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: john porter 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: So many good aspects spoiled by some poor organisation
In full: Milton Keynes (or this route) suprised me much more countrified a route than expected, very pleasant. As many others have stated the lack of timed start bays, the hideous finishing tunnel, lack of something to eat, and one route out for 2000 cars took the edge off what could be a fabulous half.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jacks
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Venue HQ too small for amount of runners, race route interesting, but getting out of the car park was plain silly with far too many carparks exiting onto a one-way system. It took 45 mins to get away! won't enter again unless venue change.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Brendan Cradden
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice course lots of changes and bends so never bored busy watching out for ballards.
In full: Managed to get a five novice lady runners to take the challenge and they loved it. Only one got caught in the hail and rain that arrived 2 plus hours after the start. The wind was no major problem as there were never any long stretches directly into the wind. But where was Nike! I expected the usual big new shoe model display and try stand. But nothing is it the crash? And sweatshop MK you really missed the chance to sell some kit
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mr BDR
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast course (despite the wind, can't blame anyone for that!)
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: BAS
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: OK
In full: Took me 30 minutes from M1 to car park due to long traffic jam trying to get in ( normally takes 5 minutes) this was at 9:15 plus got taken a different route to the instructions
Defintely needs some time markings at start to help prevent congestion.
Chip timing is all well and good but no timing indications means unless you start on the front line you are bound to be held up by slower runners.
Baggage area looked very crowded so was fortunate not to need it.
If it is to remain a sizable event I think they need to improve the organisation reduce its size
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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