Jane Tomlinson's Leeds Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (27 votes). | 11 to 20 of 27 ratings | Page: 1 2 3 |
2012 race reviewed by: Faye Simons
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging first half marathon
In full: This was my first half marathon and I was really please with my 2hr23 finish time. I read a lot of reviews of last years race and was dreading the hills but actually they were not bad at all.
Good points- Plenty of drinks available on the route and at the finish. A fair amount of local support to keep you going. Thank god for the man who shouted half a mile to go and cheered me up no end! Nice t-shirt and medal and the chocolate bar was appreciated on the long walk back home!
Bad points- the mile markers were really bad, I only spotted the 1st,6th,7th and 10th! No clock on the start line ( unless I am blind) I didnt have a watch so I was counting on this to see what time I passed the start line but instead had to wait till I got home to check my text time. Narrow running areas particularly along kirkstall road where cars were going in both directions and road works were also taking place!
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: RodK79
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race in my home town.
In full: First time I've run a half marathon and it was nice to be able to do it in my back yard. Obviously I've not much to compare it with (Bradford 10k is the only other race I've done) but it seemed to be well organised, the only downside being a bit of a bottleneck at the start which was to be expected with that many people. The course was good, had heard horror stories about "the hills" but I didn't think they were too bad - then again I train in Sheffield so I was probably over prepared for them. Goody bag was nice. Will definitely do again.
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: trendy runner
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great race, well organised and nice t-shirt
In full: The only gripe I had was the bottleneck just 50 meters after crossing the start line. However once underway a great route, great marshalling and support from local people. Very slick finish area with goody bags complete with t-shirt,medal and chocolate bar. Plenty of water and sports drinks along the route and at the finish area.
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jessica G
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough start but just about doable for a first-timer!
In full: This was my first half-marathon, having done a few 10k races but nothing longer. I managed this in just under 2:28.
The hills in the first four miles are demoralising for a beginner, but it does get better! It's just worth knowing that they are really, REALLY challenging in advance. I didn't, and at first I thought the sweeper van was going to have to collect me! But after Mile 4 there was a lovely, reinvigorating long stretch of downhill that made me realise it was actually doable. From about Mile 7 it's more or less all downhill or flat.
Some of the scenery was a bit dull, but it was suprisingly pretty around the ring road. There were plenty of water stations and toilets, but some of the markers weren't very clear, which could be a little disheartening at times.
The goody bag was also nice, with a medal, a much-needed Toffee Crisp, and a very decent running shirt.
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Matthew Wild 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Good race
In full: This was the first half marathon I had run, having run the Edinburgh Marathon and various 10k’s. Having done most of my training on very hill terrain in Huddersfield, I didn’t find that the course was too hilly. There was a good mix of support from the locals and the overall atmosphere was very Plenty of water stations, also offering sports drinks. The goody bag was a nice touch and the t-shirt was very high quality, I’ll probably wear this again when training. I didn’t expect to receive a medal either and this was a nice surprise discovering this in my goody bag later on.
On the downside, the start of the race was a bit disorganised and we were all led into a confined area. This caused the start of the race to become bottlenecked. This meant that we were walking over the start line and it took a while to get going, which meant that I lost some time. Perhaps a slight change of the route and pens would eliminate this problem next year. Also, there were not enough toilets. The Abbey Dash in Leeds had portable urinals for the gents to use.
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jonny Fallas
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Another good day out in Leeds
In full: I ve run this race 10 times now and always enjoy it been a local. It is a challenging run with the hills but worth it.
This years event was a little crowded and next year organisers really need to open up the start a bit more as it was just too busy at the start and I was near enough to the front of the massive crowd of people. More pens for 90 and 100 Min runners could sort this out a bit.
Great T-Shirt and Medal this year, agree with other comments about the Chip on laces would be nice not have to take these off at the end and would resolve some of the issues at the end.
Overall a good and well organised event
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: ANDREW BYROM
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Really enjoyed this race, managed 1:45:06 which I was pleased with. All the hills come in the first 7 miles, then it's downhill and flat.
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: dhale750
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very solid and enjoyable event
In full: Ok so good points: The event offered very good value with a technical t-shirt, medal AND a toffee crisp included in the finishers bag. There were several sections of zero support but there were surprising amounts of support in the more built up areas. Overall organisation seemed to be to a high standard.
Bad points: We were led to the start line quite early and many there were no portaloos alongside the start line, meaning many people were just going in the starting pens or outside local shops. I doubt the owners were too pleased. A few toilets next to the start could fix this. There needs to be more seperation of runners into ability based zones, as after the sub 75 and sub 85 minute section it was basically a free for all, and I'll bet there was plenty of traffic problems for some of the faster runners. Course is quite hilly and not lighting fast but the downhills are at least gradual enough to take full advantage of them.
Overall a good event with some great atmosphere in places, so I may well be back next year.
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: mimaduck
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Worth the sun burn!
In full: Despite being in unholy amounts of pain today, I'm glad I did it! Good start, nicely signposted, excellent water stations and lovely marshalls.
my one major gripe? If you say the roads are going to be closed, close them! Don't allow traffic back on BOTH sides of the road! That was not fair and more than a little bit dangerous! Other than that (and my very sore feet) a brilliant day.
Excellent monitoring of finishers by the St Johns Ambulance too - they spotted I was in trouble before I knew I was - lovely medics looked after me in the finishers area.
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: BonyTony
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: A well organised race & rather enjoyable
In full: Not especially scenic (much like any city centre race) but very well organised & with uplifting support from the crowds.
Only two things I would change for next year;
- staged or specific time areas for the start (LOTS of traffic in the first 2 miles)
- and running right next to the traffic wasn't particularly nice for the middle stint. Nothing like some exhaust fumes to get you going!
But I wouldn't want those two minor gripes to overshadow an excellent race (and a new PB)
Date of review: May 14, 2012
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