New Forest Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (390 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Kizzi10000
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great scenery, great marshalls, great support, great race
In full: First running of this and a massive 30mins PB - even with the hills! Was very hot, but water stations came round quickly, and the sponges were a godsend. Could have done with a few more of them. Great crowd support considering the rural nature of the course, and the marshalls did a great job. No problems with the traffic either. Munchies at the finish would have been nice for anyone not wanting to eat or wait for free pub grub, but overall a fantastic day.
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: bygrhel
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Beautiful scenery, organisation could be better
In full: Beautiful scenery and very friendly local people doing their best to make it a great day.
Not enough water stations on a hot day and they were too small to easily get water. I wondered why so many half marathoners were carrying their own water - now I know why!Often it was necessary to run in the gutter on narrow roads for several miles alongside slow moving traffic - leading to leg strains and inhaling more exhaust fumes than I get running through central London at rush hour!
Hog Roast is definitely worth missing.
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: chalky...
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Who could complain about running around the new forest on such a magnificent day ? Beautiful !
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Bogman
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Too much Town, not enough Forest!
In full: It seems a shame to run through so much built up area when there are miles of open forest. Otherwise well organised race, plenty of marshals and drink stations. Lots of friendly support, but too hot! Can't blame the organisers for that though! Queue at Hog roast so long that I gave up on that! Probably be back, although I definitely prefer off road courses.
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: McDee
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Scenic, well marshalled just a little too sunny!
In full: Good support from locals and marshalls. Drinks and sponge stations efficient and well located. The start would have been easier if more pace boards were used and if runners were encouraged to position themselves appropriately.
I would have appreciated something to eat at the finish eg. banana, cereal bar etc as hog roast not really my thing and took ~20 - 30 mins (even before the queues built up).
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: PFC Steve
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great, well organised race with superb weather and scenery...
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: zeze
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: amazing local support
In full: my 2nd 1/2 not to hilly(for me) but i train in a very hill area of the south west very helpful and friendly marshalls
the idea of bbq was great but the queues where huge so we gave up a banana or something at the finish would have been nice
over all great race
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Socket
| | 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: A well organised event, the weather was a bit too hot for me though
In full: This is the first time I've run the NF Half and it was really well organised, lots of marshalls, drinks and sponge stops and quite a few locals turned out to offer support. It's a little congested at the sports center at the finish but not too bad. I wasn't prepared for the weather though having trained through the wet and cold summer. The sun was out and I overheated at mile 8, probably not having drunk enough. I tried to rehydrate and cool down at the next water and sponge stop but couldn't keep the pace going. So a dissapointing miss on a good finish time for me but an otherwise great event. I'll be back again.
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ian Rix 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: See you next year
In full: This being my maiden Half Marathon I have nothing to compare it with so all I can say is that it was really enjoyable. Great local support (Well done to all of the locals who seemed to cheer and shout encouragement on your way through every village), lovely sunny day, but nice cooling breeze and fantastic scenery on the way. The ice cold sponges and frequent water stations were a welcome relief and the marshalling seemed tacitly efficient (The fact that it was not traffic free didn't seem to be a problem)
Ashame I couldn't stay around for the free hog roast, but I had to rush back to watch my team lose live on telly
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: caroline21
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A lovely morning sunbathing and working at the same time
Date of review: September 21, 2008
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