Worcester Half Marathon 2012Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (34 votes). | 11 to 20 of 34 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 4 |
2012 race reviewed by: MarathonMorris
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A fantastic run, very friendly and a great day overall
In full: I didn't find the parking a problem as I live a 5 minute walk away so I wasn't aware of the parking problems. The small delay at the start i didn't really find an issue, it was a cold morning but Threshold events can't be responsible for the weather. I found the route beautiful and it made a nice change to run a scenic route rather than on busy roads. I didn't find the traffic an issue i think around 8 cars maximum went past me the whole course.
Im found the signs very clear on which side of the road to run on and the marshalls were excellent! very friendly and supportive also in all the right places, water stations were good and a bonus having water in bottles not cups.
A few hills but nothing too challenging, the support for the locals was brilliant I was at the back of the pack as a slow runner and they were still out cheering and clapping.
The medal was great and tshirt too,for an more indepth review on this race and other events please see my running blog http://marathonmorris.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/running-bucket-list.html
Date of review: April 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Martin Pressey
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: First half in 9 years - not bad and a good challenge but some teething issues.
In full: I agree with several of the comments already posted - parking fee - luckily I was prepared with a load of pound coins but I thought £3 was a bit steep. Secondly the baggage drop off wasn't great - I left mine with the plastic bag with my name on with a man behind a rope assuming he'd be there when I got back to hand them out but there was nobody there when I finished and I could have taken anybodies bag. The 15 minute delay was annoying and I needed the toilet after about 30secs of running - the horse and foal that came over to see me and the three others using the field was both interesting and off-putting! The course was up and down (it seemed more up to me) but the pockets of support were very good. In defence of the missing mile markers there was an announcement at the start to say they had been stolen overnight so I knew to expect no signs. Overall half and half for a half.
Date of review: April 18, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sarah Richardson 15
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very good. Recommended to rest of my running club for next year!
In full: This was my first half after being injured in November and am so glad I found this one! The route was a single and lovely lap through countryside, was well supported and the Marshalls were great. The traffic was a bit of a problem and although we'd been warned that the route wasn't traffic free, there were problems over which side of the road to run on at various points. The water stations were efficient in themselves but were on the left. As we were expected to run on the right, there was some chaos as runners crossed to and from water stations. Apart from the bollard, I really liked the run up to the finish. Lots of races spring the finish on you too quickly but this was lined with people and very spacious! Liked my medal too. Will be back next year. Thank you Worcester!
Date of review: April 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: SteeBeesKnees
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Potential to be a great race
In full: Sounds like a rethink on the parking facilities would bump up the overall ratings quite a bit. I got there early as I hadn't booked in advance and was not aware of the queues that others reported close to the planned 9.30 start.
A comparatively scenic course with a touch of undulation in perfect weather for racing. More Worcestershire than Worcester. Plenty of supportive stewards and the water stations seemed to appear like magic just as I started to get thirsty. The end of the race could be improved - a bit like one of those training runs when you're determined to do a certain distance and run round the block until the target's reached (or is it just me that does that?)
Overall, a good experience for me (which seems to be the consensus from most people who got there early) with the added bonus of a much improved PB!
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: russ655
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Bit crowded to start but I liked it a lot.
In full: I ran this race because unfortunately I had to pull out of the Brighton marathon and it was definitely better than sitting at home sulking. For a new race I thought the organisation was good and it had a nice friendly feel, especially compared to the big commercial races. It was nice to be able to park on the site of the start and finish for what I thought was a reasonable £3. It was also nice to get to use the "real" facilities of the rugby ground as opposed to the usual portaloos before the race.
My only slight grumble was that at the start and in the first few miles the roads were a bit tight for the shear number of runners, especially when cars were involved too. But this was soon forgotten as the course wound its way through some lovely villages and country side, and locals came out to give us a cheer.
On the whole, I thought this was a good event and I'll definitely be back next year - hopefully to take on the full 26.2.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Marsupial
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Some teething problems but great run.
In full: Great route, more 'undualting' than expected but I managed to PB - woohoo!
Well placed (for the half) water stations with sport top water bottles (a big plus) iso drinks in cups and jelly babies.
Good marshalling and pockets of locals cheering you on.
A few teething problems which I'm sure will be ironed out next year. Hopefully I'll be there to find out!
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Edward Collier
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Some teething problems
In full: The main problem was parking - why not add the parking to the cost of entry or something? Weren't the organisers paying Worcester Warriors for the use of the facilities anyway? The delayed start was annoying, but nothing more. The race itself suffered from a lack of mile markers after 5 miles, and I was sent the wrong way when the half marathon and marathon courses diverged. Having said that, I ran a fast time (the fastest for a good few years) so I had a good day at least.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Helen Lane
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: Bad organisation. My friends gave up and went home because they could not park in time to run in the race (cars lined up from the motorway). It took time for everyone to pay £3 to park which must of caused the delay. With a freezing wind my husband and I went to the start line which took at least 15 minutes. The race was then delayed for about 20 minutes because of car parking problem so I froze as I had not enough clothing, had to go to the toliet (no bush to hide behind (I'm a girl, not nice) and then I felt thirsty.
On the course there was not many mile markers I saw about 5 markers and my husband said according to his garmin some miles were shorter than others but the course was still exactly 13.1 miles. There were cars on the roads. At the end there was not even a clock.
The atmosphere was flat and for what I paid for this event I expected better. It was cold and all we wanted to do was to get home. Compared to others I did not think it was worth it and would not recommend this event to a friend.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Richard Spencer
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good race, poor organisation
In full: Others have mentioned the schoolboy organisational errors so I won't go over them again but all are valid.
Overall it was a pleasant run. Hopefully in future years rerouted to include something of Worcester perhaps and maybe a stadium finish?
I'd also like to stand up for cotton t-shirts. I was well pleased to get something I can wear down the pub and did so on Sunday night. I now have so many technical t-shirts I have to run four times a day to make use of them all. Can more organisers revert to cotton t-shirts please.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lee Price
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A decent run, but could have been much better
In full: Delayed start was frustrating, 'small' parking charge was a bit of a cheek.
Route was pleasant enough, didnt think it was that hilly to be honest, there was one at 4 miles or so which was playful, the rest werent that bad.
Let down by the delayed start and the bitty finish, expected better from such a company.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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