Sussex Beacon Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (483 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Gladrags
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: fast seafront run
In full: hasn't quite twigged that this would involve such a long slog up and down the seafront - even such nice scenery got boring after a while... hills not too bad... v little support
Date of review: February 25, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Pipes2k1
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A great race, definitely a firm favourite
In full: This was my second year running this race, and it was very enjoyable. I found I preferred knowing the course this time, as I was prepared and knew what to expect. I didn't mind the mile 9 / 10 hill and I was even fine with having to run to the Marina away from the finishing line. Very disappointed not to receive a medal though, as I was looking forward to hanging it next to last year's one, and they -were- advertised again this year. It would have been a bit better if the t-shirt was a technical one we could actually use for running, rather than a standard fruit of the loom job. But I beat my last year's time by 8 minutes so I was very happy. Organisation was great, water in bottles would have been better. Thanks to all those involved.
Date of review: February 25, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Richard Norris 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great
In full: 2nd time doing this race and really enjoyed it again. Well organised on the marshalling front, plenty of water stations etc. Great course and good mix between town and seafront, hills not too bad as they are short even when they get a bit steep. Huge PB potential (knocked 5 mins off mine)but hate the steep downhill bit at 11/12 mile which knackered my feet. I've you're planning to run 1:45-ish it pays to start nearer the front than you think cos apparently it gets pretty crowded and slow further back.
Date of review: February 25, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Ian Tomlinson
| | 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: Great flat(ish) seaside run with good crowd support!
In full: Well organised run along the seafront. A couple of hard up hill 'slopes' at the end but generally flat. A little crowded on some of the narrower streets and quite a few obstacles in the road (I saw two fallers). Crowd was great.
Date of review: February 24, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: nellie noo
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Seaside race, fast course
In full: I'm a Brightonian and loved running in the Sussex beacon half but is becoming a much faster 'runner's' race and I would no longer recommend it to people for their first race. Is a fast paced event for people aiming for less than <2 hours. This year I felt like a 'straggler' even tho I completed in 2.14 - I'm a plodder. When I finished I felt it was a bit 'whatever' from the organisers - no t-shirts in your size or dog tags (?) There were a lot of people giving it their all who will have been met with 'no t-shirts, no medals'. Is it an 'elitist ' race. People should be encouraged to run - people who come first don't want t-shirts or medals as they do it all the time. The crowd were fantastic. Is a good atmosphere. And what is with no medals !
Date of review: February 24, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Lee the Pea
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great seaside run
In full: First time at this race, second half marathon - beat my previous time by 17s so I was happy. Great organisation, friendly and supportive marshals, nice route. Only downside was mile 10-13 - was hard to run to finish line (virtually) then run in the opposite direction for what felt like ages. Was really sorry not to get a medal either, esp. since I was really looking forward to getting one! Otherwise was a really good race though, and the positives outweighed my little gripes - which can't be bad since i live in Edinburgh and had a fair travel to get there!
Date of review: February 24, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Bob Parr
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Friendly, well organised & marshalled race
In full: This was my first half marathon and I enjoyed it.
Having looked at the course details I was aware of the "zig-zag" nature of the last three miles and so I was not put off by those finishing as I was about to turn back towards the Marina.
The hill up to the top of the Marina cliffs was enough for me to walk, but that was because I did not put in the distance training in the build up, so I did not have it in my legs.
I was satisfied with the goodie bag and t-shirt and a medal would have been accepted but then hung up above the computer with the rest.
Well organised, marshalled and enjoyable race with good support from the bystanders, etc.
Date of review: February 24, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: David Hosking
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good day out, great experience for a first timer.
In full: Fantastic marshalls keeping their enthusiam even for us slow ones right off the back.
Date of review: February 24, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jane-O
| | 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: Great race, great atmosphere, who cares about a medal?
In full: My second time, and I expected to find the three mile loop at the end easier this time round - but I didn't. I find it soul destroying to practically run past the finish line and then have to contend with a couple of uphills. Up until mile ten however, I think this is a great race - one I made a 500 mile round trip to take part in (okay, I visited some great friends too). Also, as someone who doesn't live near the sea, I find it hard to understand how anyone can find running along the coast boring - it's fantastic! Personally I find the first couple of miles through the town centre a bit boring. Also, I really liked the bag, am much happier to have a T shirt to knock about in than another medal to add to my drawer full of medals. The organisation is great (although I agree - more loos please) and the marshals are great too. And I just love Brighton, and all the yummy places to eat to spoil yourself after you've crossed the finish line. I'm sure I'll be back. (And I forgot to say - perfect weather!)
Date of review: February 23, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: SuperGuruKhan
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Not bad, just a few tweaks needed
In full: Its a good race, but its pricey. I don't mind the expense if the organization is spot on and there are a few nice touches to make it feel special. With this in mind...
(i) Portaloos: Far too few for a race with 6000 participants. You need to get more installed and make urinals more obvious. Too many men were queuing/blocking unnecessarily.
(ii) Water: i was consistently given 1/3 of a cup which was useless to me and many others, especially those that take gels. I had to ask for refills/extra cups. FLM has 250 or 300ml bottles which are perfect.
(iii) double loop back at end was a real soul destroyer for some folks. Suggest you look again at the course.
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Date of review: February 23, 2009
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