Oxford Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (43 votes). | 11 to 20 of 43 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 5 |
2011 race reviewed by: Simon O'Sullivan
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A few teething problems but has great potential to grow with improvements
In full: A bit biased as my home town and football club but stadium finish makes it special. Good PB potential although last few miles felt uphill. Good support from locals once away from the bypass. Hope it becomes a fixture in the calendar.
Date of review: September 29, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Sarah Rogers 11
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very good first effort - really enjoyed it
Date of review: September 28, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Rennie
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: disapointingly average
In full: there were a few teething problems which need sortin but foremost shame on OAA for their advise not to attend the race to all local running clubs when it is run for a worthy charity!! So disgusted to the extent that I won't be affiliated to UKA anymore. hence why there wasn't many club runners there. This issue needs addressing urgently!
The route was a little disapointing. The traffice issues must be sorted out. maybe have the finish by a different route so it avoids the car park exit! Common sense really. The holds up at thwe start was entirley due to a steady stream of pedestrian crossing so the traffic became static! One steward at the crossing would have solved the problem by holding back the pedestrians for a while to allow flow of cars to park.
Time pens at the start is a must for a city run.
Goody bag to include energy bars, choc etc. State that money saved on tshirts to go to local charity.
prizes given at 1pm when everybody had gone home! suggest main prizes (cat winners) to be done before midday. winners had to wait two hours and they were the only ones left at venue. good prizes though! Well done.
Why wasn't the bar open? everybody I talked to fancied a drink. All proceeds going to charity!
This could become a great half with only a little extra thought.
Date of review: September 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Kat Webb
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Loved my second half marathon being the Oxford Half Marathon
In full: Loved it, loved it and when they fix the following I'll love it even more.
A car park that handles far greater numbers on football match days couldn't cope - stewarding issues or over stewarding? - not sure but easy to fix - just check out what usually happens and apply.
In the town it was an obstacle course with traffic & pedestrians. At one point I was coralled into a bus stop. It was funny and I laughed but if I'd been one of the front runners looking for PB it may not have been so amusing.
Some of the traffic coning result in a very narrow lane complete with gutter and drains to run in. No chance to over take. Route needs to be looked into - could be more picturesque given the gorgeousness that is Oxford.
Hated the last hill. But that's geography and me being rubbish at hills for you :)
Loved the ending in the stadium - great cheering crowd. However, goody bag was, well nothing really. Some flyers and a pen in mine. Maybe I got a rubbish one but I don't think so.
Saying all that. the folk of Oxford were fantastic! Organised groups outside pubs, neighbours, tourists, all ages - what a warm and cheerful group they were. Thank you!
Oh, and kudos to the guy who juggled :)
Date of review: September 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Rupert Cousens
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A fine first effort
In full: Generally a successful race, with only minor issues (bag drop, no T-shirt etc) that could be ironed out next year. The organizers deserve credit for persevering and making it happen.
As others have said, there are more scenic routes around Oxford - Littlemore has never looked worse than at 12 miles on an incline. The Town/Gown 10k is a case in point, but obviously it's a more compact route.
Date of review: September 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: JenJen60
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race and will most certainly do again providing the hiccups get sorted for next year
In full: Not a great start to the race, we were part of a 2 mile queue to enter the stadium at 8.30am so we got out of the car and walked to the start but only just made it in time after putting our baggage in. delayed race by 15 minutes which was good. Nice race few uphill inclines which werent expected but lots of water stations on route and great support from locals. Great for spectators as well as things for them to eat and drink in the stadium while waiting for the first batch of runner to come in. Would do it again next year providing the few minor issues get sorted from this year.
Date of review: September 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ross Heriot 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great potential but teething problems let them down. The organisers should look to Reading Half for ideas.
In full: Great support from the locals along the way which made it for me. Teething problems let the side down. These need sorting before the race becomes too big. Loads of potential and I liked the variety of the route. The goody bag, taking out the medal and water, was just a bag; no food, chocolate etc and was disappointing.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: louise Hutchinson 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: great atmosphere at stadium finish
In full: loved the way the scenory kept changing. along side the factory, dual carriageway, through the town, over the river etc. didnt like dicing with the traffic and having cars of people stuck and glaring at you, over all well done Oxford, plese support this race in the future!!
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: carmen Somerset
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great first race few things could make it even better.
In full: Traffic entering the stadium was an issue and organisers delayed race. Lots of marshalls and very helpful with stopping traffic but some very quiet and would have been nice to have the odd not shout from them. However crowds made up for that and plenty of people lined the streets with claps and cheers, some even played music. Route was ok, could have been better seeing that Oxford is so beautiful!
Great to finish in the football stadium and lots of stalls to look at afterwards. Will do it again next year.
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: jason tolputt
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great pottential for being a great half marathon but needs full support of the City Council to open up the routes and close off roads to make it more interesting and a runner friendy
In full: I would agree with all the current reviews teething problems as to be expected. All I would expect to be sorted for next year
The route I feel being a local wasn't the best and didn't take in all the sights it could have for runners that aren't local to the city.
I imagine to close of the city would be a big decision for the council and I think in future with the turn out being good other parts of the city will be opened to make for a better more interesting run for both runners and spectators.
Fingers crossed that this has proved that there is a real interest now for an Oxford City half marathon and all involved in the setting up of the event will give full commitment to making it an event that the entire city can look forward to in the future!!!
Overall good run very flat with a few downhills.
looking forward to next year
Date of review: September 26, 2011
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