'Down Tow Up Flow' Thames Towpath Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (167 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Shelley Gooch-Smith
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very scenic and enjoyable. Bit narrow in places so you need to pace yourself correctly as overtaking a bit tricky! Very well orrganised .
Date of review: July 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Paul Terrill
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: It was tough (hot), but thank you
In full: Thanks to everyone involved with the organisation of this enjoyable race. Very helpful and friendly marshalls. Lovely route, though I forgot to appreciate a lot of it due to the temperature (will have to do it again).
For me there was plenty of drinking water - lots of water stations, and I picked up and carried a water bottle from most. It was needed, so thank you. If it's true that runners took more than one bottle from a station then this seems a bit off to me.
Not a p.b. course even if it wasn't so hot, but I knew that before I entered. It's just a lovely, enjoyable run. It was tough though! I walked lots and got a p.w., but who cares!
The numbers of runners for the race was good. Couldn't have many more due to the narrowness of parts of the course. Maybe could have started half an hour earlier, but too early and perhaps you don't get as many great volunteers to help with the race. I didn't do it last year, but I suspect the kissing gates near Marlow may be a pain for the 'down tow' route.
Didn't get much done Sunday afternoon as I was shattered!
Date of review: July 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Murf
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: good
Date of review: July 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Andrew Dacombe
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: One of the nicest and most fun races I have done this year
In full: Well organised and supported, very friendly and supportive marshalls. Giving out water in bottle rather than cups...an inspired idea. Could have done with some massage etc at the finish
Date of review: July 28, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: hook andy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Again, the water stop.
In full: Last year it was too wet, this year too hot - you've got to feel for the organisers.
The coaches to the start are well organised, but running along the tow-path in one direction mean the number of marshalls is less than half as many as normal - what else is there to check? Water!
Earlier in the race I chatted with another runner about the chances of a water station running dry - why did it not cross the minds of the organisers. Why did the marshall not call an organiser demanding a urgent trip to Tescos when he realised there would not be enough.
I had to walk much of the last 2 miles and struggled home in an Personal Worst 2:30. Still, it is different to the usual road races and limiting at <500 will keep demand high.
Date of review: July 27, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: want-to-run-better
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous
In full: A great run (paths slightly too narrow and uneven to be a potential pb race), and I was unaware of the water shortage so found it was extremely well organised. The marshals and spectators were encouraging and the hosing-down towards the end was very welcome. And what glorious scenery - will definitely be back next year.
Date of review: July 27, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: MarkW@York
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Hot. hot and can I just say it was hot!
In full: Well organised race and some wonderful scenery. Would recommend this to any beginner as the emphasis in on getting round and enjoying the scenery rather than pb times. Yes the paths are narrow in places and its hard to pass- but this isn't what this race is about - especially not in 30 degree heat. All the water stations had water when I went through- but reading others comments -yes, maybe just a big vat of water at each station and some cups would be better than the bottles which seemingly ran our. Small gripe though and stlll a special race- will be back!
Date of review: July 27, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ron Faster
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Beautiful riverside run
In full: Great race - too wet last year too hot this year. There was water at the last station when I went past but runners were taking two or three bottles to pour overthemselves which is probably why they ran out. Great race and will be back next year on the return run to Windsor.
Date of review: July 27, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Eva Bristow
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great run - although the last water station ran out of water which was horrible
Date of review: July 27, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: ANGIE WALKER
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: I can't believe they ran out of water
In full: In the sweltering heat, running out for water half way round was simply irresponsible. Very disappointing.
Date of review: July 27, 2008
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