New Forest Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (390 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Keith Dowson
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Terrible organisation
In full: Had a 20 minutes wait for the toilets, which meant I didn't have time for a warmup. After been given misleading information about where the best place to go would be.
One steward was talking to someone in a car (blocking most the road when I approached and didn't show me the way until I had stopped, particualrly annoying as I had just overtaken someone and took me a half mile to feel comfortable again.
As for the prizes, I don't normally win any and was pleasantly suprised by being in the running. Having recieved my 'mug' for 1st in an age category and 7th overall, I can see why the better runners give this a miss. Pretty shoddy in race with 2700 in it.
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Asil
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Fabulous scenery, glorious weather, tough hills, great race!
In full: This is one of the most enjoyable races i have completed. The scenery really is wonderful, helped by the fab weather on the day. The hills were challenging, but made for a more interesting race than a flatter course could offer. Course marshalls etc did a great job. I was surprised that the roads werent completely closed to traffic and we ran parts of the way next to them, but can understand it is difficult to close so many roads for the day. The medal is one of the best ive seen. Perhaps could have had a few more water stations on the course and at the finish given the weather, but overall i loved it!
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ruv
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A great race in beautiful countryside. The organisation was very good, witth plenty of water and sponge stations.
In full: This was really well organised, with good support and the benefit of lots of water and sponge stations. These were especially welcome as it turned in to quite a warm morning. I like the 9.30 start as that really does leave time to do other things on the day.
The course strikes a good balance of having a few challenging hills, without being a killer route.
This is an excellent race and I will definitely do it again.
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Grayster H
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Nice scenic marathon on a beautiful late summer Sunday
In full: I did the half last year and enjoyed it so went for the full marathon this time. I really enjoyed the course - especially the trails along the disused railway line and the track a few miles on. Fantastic weather made it all the more enjoyable. Marshalling was excellent and plenty of water stations - but I would've liked the orange squash at the finish line to be available at some of them. I would definitely run this one again. My only criticism would be parking provision - many of us marathon runners arrived to find the free parking field full; fortunately there was parking on the main road verges to avoid too much stressing.
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: JacN
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Undulating and beautiful. Good organisation. I'd do it again.
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Tim Woodman 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good race on a nice day, but could have been better.
In full: This was our first time at the New Forest Half, and it wasn't a bad day out. It seemed well organised on the whole hovever I have some serious gripes. I was told at about 8 miles that the nest water station was just round the corner - it wasn't. The next stop (a mile on) was sponges only and they told me, wrongly, that there were no more water stops. The mile markers were wrong where they double up with the marathon ones. Surely for a race that costs this much two sets of marker signs could be used? This really upset me at the end as I am used to how far the .1 mile is to the finish from 13 miles, except today it was .2. There was not goody bag, so no food after. Today is the first I've heard of hog roasts. Much better to just give out mars bars or something. For the price I think a T-shirt for each runner would also be good. Top marks for the super medal though, one of the best I've seen.
So overall a good race that could be a lot better without too much effort.
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Fair Copse
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: really good race, just at the right time of year after the summer training
In full: My second time. I liked: Parking and access to sports centre and start area - very good, scenery - stunning, toilets - brilliant(use the ones at the sports centre, the town centre/rec ground have long queues), baggage pick up - very regimented, showers - no problems. I didn't like: The hills I'd forgotten about from last year and trying to drive to the start cross country. TOP TIP for 2009 - follow the directions from NE down A35.
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: SID SEAGULL
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Difficult to think of a better way to spend a late summer sunday morning
Date of review: September 22, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Sybrand
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Enjoyed this, my first half.
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: MikeFrog
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely race - but no showers!
In full: Not the organisers fault I suppose, but the showers at the finish were out of order.
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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