Grand Union Canal Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (173 votes). 2007 race reviewed by: Christine Egglestone
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: More difficult than I imagined due to rutted paths & slippery leaves
In full: Very pretty route. Transport worked out brilliantly. Only problem were insufficient loos at the start. Told we could use Petrol station, nearby pub and public toilets but the pub and public toilets were closed!!!! This meant that everyone was queuing for one toilet in the petrol station. Had to abandon this idea and use the bushes!!!!
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Emmakj
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Beautiful scenery and friendly runners, not intimidating for a beginner.
In full: Beautiful scenery and friendly runners.
Well organised but a couple of portaloos and an extra water station would improve it for next year.
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Talli's Mum
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Interesting run, reasonable PB potential, friendly marshalls
In full: Those who moaned about the loos - read the literature where the loo opportunties were highlighted!! The 1 min silence was appreciated by those who had not put their MP3's on at max level and continued talking... I thought the coach organisation at the start was excellent, marshalling was good although what would happen if someone was in trouble as they were fairly spaced apart??!! The hill at the end was mildly challenging but made the Finish Line a welcomed sight. Reversing the course next year will be good and mean a downhill start plus downward locks too. I carried a drink but the 3 mile water disaster must have been an issue for runners with none of their own. Can the ribbon have a date on it next year Purple Patch?? I will look out for next year's date in RW!! Well done to all finishers!!
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: James Knowling
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fast course, well organised but could do with loos at the start
In full: The only negative point for me was the man in the Esso station closing his loo. Nice pleasent scenery along the tow-path and an initial lap of the park spread everyone out enough that overtaking was never really a problem.
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Muttley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fast and flat (almost)
In full: Great course, traffic-free and varied underfoot but no boggy bits. Narrow in places, but field not big enough for that to be an issue. Pretty much flat apart from climb at the finish; the reverse run should be definite pb potential. Easy enough to reach by public transport, organisation excellent. Only real complaint is lack of loos - hopefully this will be addressed next year, this year's being the inaugural event.
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: TCP
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great new addition to the race callendar
In full: Very interesting run which I really enjoyed. A little tough under foot but I'm a wimpy road running, not used to "off roading".
Really could do with some toilets at the start and at least one more water station. Agree that the medal needs to have the year on the medal itself but that's just me being picky.
The minutes silence was a nice touch but many people could not hear the loud speakers announcing it had begun and many people did not know it was going on so were chatting.
Other than that, a really well organised run especially as its the first one.
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: want-to-run-better
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: really enjoyable
In full: This was lovely. Gorgeous scenery, well organised, nice medal - and it was a welcome change to be in a race with so few runners. I hope the numbers will be small again if the race takes place again next year. And I hope it definitely will be on next year because I want to start the race with that long downhill instead of facing it after 12 miles! Thank you for including the one-minute silence before we set off.
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: SleepyLion
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well organised on an interesting route with some teething problems
In full: I found this race a bit tougher than I anticipated, perhaps because I didn't read the fine-print about it being multi-terrain. But the experience was good. The atmosphere amongst the runners was good.
The water stations were an issue. A bit tough for people to be told that the 3-mile station had been nicked. There were no cups at the 9-mile when I got there either.
I'd suggest that some portable toilets at the start for next year will be a big plus.
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Sue Coveney
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Lovely route,one to do agin
In full: But where were the toilets ? terrible to have no loo's.. that was the shambolic part of the race ,,
Vicious finish but not overly taxing .. would not put me off doing it again ..
Thanks to all the marshalls, the one's i saw were very encouraging ..
Not sure if there were many spectators ? didn't see a lot ..
Good race though and thoroughly enjoyed it ..
Definitely be there next year ..
Got a PB so i was happy enough ..
Sue
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: richard atkins 8
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: An enjoyable run, well organised with a bus provided to take you from the finish to the start position (they are 13 miles apart), nice people to chat to, great service from Handy Moves for the bags, nice medal, well placed water stations.
In full: A little too flat for my liking, which is the reason I would not do it again. It is a perfect run for marathon training with a good atmosphere. I saw quite a few people doing the run-walk-run regime.
Date of review: November 11, 2007
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