Mizuno Reading Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (129 votes). 2013 race reviewed by: MrsPlod
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised mass participation race
In full: Not sure what this was like for "racers" but as someone who wants to enjoy the event, I thought it was great. Course is pretty boring (but mainly flat), dog leg near the stadium at the end was a bit depressing but support along the rest of the course was fab and more than made up for those negative points. Enjoyed the stadium finish although surface a bit dangerous in the rain! Fab chunky medal (I ordered an iTab after the event as well - really pleased with it) and plenty of food in the goody bag which is always a bonus!
Got the Mizuno ViP band which was brill - somewhere warm and dry to wait before the race/change after and monitored bag storage area as invaluable in such poor weather! We were in the red car park and it did a long time to get out but think that was the rain rather than the organisers fault so can't really complain. Overall organisation was smooth - no problems. I would definitely do this one again.
Date of review: March 24, 2013
|
|
2013 race reviewed by: Brian Slack
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Wet and wild but great fun
In full: For slow people like me no silver blankets which in freezing conditions was not great but otherwise a fantastic day despite hail and snow. The support was amazing and seeing people by the side of the road in the hail was special.
Date of review: March 22, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Honey Bear
| | 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: Good race - Very wet
In full: First time at Reading. A good and well organised race just a shame about the weather.
Date of review: March 20, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Malcolm Allen
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Somewhere dry to change would have been an advantage
Date of review: March 20, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Seedee
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Cold. Wet. Magnificent stadium finish and awesome atmosphere all the way round. Loved it. Can't wait for next year.
Date of review: March 20, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Michael Beard 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The supporters made the race
In full: My first time of running Reading. Must admit found it very congested and think there are too many runners for parts of the course. I ran round with a friend to motivate them so did start further than back than i normally would, maybe thats the difference. Ran an extra 400m with all the weaving we had to do. A very twiaty course so it will make the garmin less acurate and struggle to find a racing line.
Can not say I will be entering again as I think there are better and cheaper halfs around. Wokingham being an example. Sorry. What i will say though is there were many first timers there who did seem to enjoy it who wanted to complete it as an event rather than a race.
Date of review: March 20, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: denys webb
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superbly organised (next year can you arrange good weather)
In full: Goes from strength to strength, full credit to the organisers who did a fabulous job. Despite the conditions it was a great day, the marshals, teams of people handing out the water, the crowds, the team at the end with the blankets, goody bags and medals, the bands - all so enthusiastic and the weather was awful! - thank you everyone!!!!!
Date of review: March 19, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Monkeybrain
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Tough wet conditions on a fast course, great organisation as always.
In full: It was tipping it down most of the day, however the race and support was excellent. Well done to the organisers and the crowds that made it out in the rain. New pb for me too!
Date of review: March 19, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: Johnas
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Big City atmosphere
In full: I entered this as a build up race to VLM and a chance to realign my HM PB on the promise it was a quick course. Registration was easy although, as a member of a HM organising committee myself, I am aware of the costs involved in hosting such events and thought the cost expensive but on arrival you can see from the facilities that no corners have been cut and the costs are there for all to see - lots of toilets, a well set up race village, hire of the stadium, pre race literature, road closures etc etc. So although quite steep in price, I think it's good value.
The course itself is OK - nothing to write home about. You do go through the centre but it can't be for more than a mile at tops then it's back out into dulls-ville.
fair play to allt he marshals and spectators coming out in the horrendous conditions. Fair play to you and thank you.
The finish in the stadium is a nice touch. The goody bag was really good I thought - some lovely treats inside to help get some much needed fuel back into the system! Easy exit to the bag drop, easy pick up and having the car park (i was in Blue) away from the stadium, made for an easy exit back on to the motorway.
Overall, well organised, has a big city/event feel to it and a course for hunting down that PB. Would I do it again? Maybe. there are lots of other races like this in the UK and there wasn't anything really standout but a good race for the lead up to VLM.
Date of review: March 19, 2013
|
2013 race reviewed by: TopSpur
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: faultless - one of the best running events in the UK
In full: the organizers, volunteers and good people of Reading deserve every credit for an excellent event...especially considering the weather. Every entrant received a foldout map of the venue, car park locations, courtesy buses and course etc...so some of the comments about poor signage and not being able to find this and that, totally bemuse me!
Great event Reading - thank you and well done!f
Date of review: March 19, 2013
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
