St Albans Review Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (397 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Michael McKinney
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hilly
In full: Much more hilly than I expected, drove from Coventry early, too hot and got a rubbish time....Marshalls good....think bottles of water better at stations as had to stop 3 times to wait for my cup to be filled. Might be moaning as my training was crap. another medal though...but queueing for t-shirt and medal and leaving car park a joke....
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: the gray one
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: hardest so far
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Sara Linton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: New course much better, loads of water stations too :-)
In full: I much prefer the new course - almost completely traffic free (after last year's Harpenden Road and Redbourn Road nightmare). Yes it was hilly (especially the one after mile 10....ouch) but made a great challenge and I somehow knocked 10 mins off my time from last year :-) Nice last mile downhill helped too! Loads of water stations thankfully given the hot weather. My only moan was the shambles once we crossed the finish line - big queue for water / t shirt / medal and all the lollies gone, which with a finish time of 1.51, I didnt think they would already have run out. Apart from that, fab organisation, lovely encouraging marshalls. I'll be back next year :-)
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Zaz96
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very well marshalled with plenty of water stations, lovely scenery and plenty of shade on a very hot day. Let down by complete lack of signposting to car parks, the shambolic finish and car park exit queues..,
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Special K's
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hills less challenging than I expected, thank god for the plentiful water stations and cheering marshalls on a hot day!
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Angela Edwards
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My first half marathon - very good - only fault the pre race massage didn't exist though it was advertised in the pre-race info pack.
In full: My first half marathon - lots of water stations though - not much help having to take drinks from the table - much nicer when handed to you. The pre-race massage didn't exist even though it was advertised in the race info pack. Apart from that - brilliant!! Especially the 'smily' marshalls. I think they were about 3 to 4 miles also on the way home. Thanks - really kept me going!!
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Hilary Baber
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Brilliant weather - too hot! Lovely scenic course, thought the hills would be worse based on previous reviews. Markers were in miles - would have been good to have kms too. Overall a great day - my first half-marathon and feel great!
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: senidM
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: much improved course, can we keep this 1 please!!
In full: The last few St Albans Ive done have been notable for there and back courses with no shade, plus a really grim finish, big hills in the last 3 miles. By doing the "hard" bit first that last downhill mile was a godsend - Thanks whover thought of that 1.
Otherwise typical St Albans, blazing hot day and a rollercoaster of a course but compared with what we used to run, really rural and pleasant
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Aitch S
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hilly course and hot weather but Excellent support from marshalls.
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Runsout.....
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Too hot for me and rather hilly but a race I always look forward to
In full: Disappointing for me because I missed the ice lollies at the end and I was so looking forward to one ( it`s the only race I know that offers them and I really appreciate them.) However, i enjoy the race, friendly marshalls,a bit of a queue at the water stations but there were plenty of them and I`m quite happy to have to stop and wait for a short while..a small break from the slog of the next small incline! DIdn`t park in the car park so no problems there but was surpirsed to find such a long queue for tshirts and medals, missed the water and as I said..no lollies. I`ll just have to run faster next year i guess!
Date of review: June 8, 2008
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