Berkhamsted Half-Marathon Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (532 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Paul Bayley 3
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Decent race, but needs to be traffic free for safety
In full: I would do this race again because it is close to where I live.
Positives are the downhill finish and decent scenery for a road race. Generally the organisation was efficient.
I agree with another reviewer that it was hard work getting the chip off at the end, so maybe use cable or bag ties to fasten chips through the laces.
The major negative was that it has become increasingly dangerous due to their being 2 way traffic on most of the route. With 1500+ runners doing the race it would be better if 1 side of the road was shut off. I understand that this may be expensive, but would be a great addition.
Obviously the weather was awful and I felt for the marshals, but more support from them would have been nice!
Date of review: March 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Boggle
| | 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: I have known it wetter - but not much
In full: We're missing a rating for "your performance" - I think I'd have to give myself a 1 or 2, sadly.
I see someone mentioned getting the chips off - at other races they have a line of volunteers sitting down with upturned buckets in front of them to do the job. I found it a bit of a struggle and my friend was paralysed with cramp when he bent down, so a bit more organised help there would be nice.
Date of review: March 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: akatrigs
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliant race
Date of review: March 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Brett Ainsley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Beautiful but hilly
In full: Maybe I'm biased because this is my home town half marathon, but it really is a stunningly beautiful race only a 30 min train ride from London.
The first mile is through the pretty streets of Berkhamsted before heading up to the top of the valley (via steep hill) and through the villages of Nettleden and Little Gaddesden. Miles 10-12 take you through the gorgeous National Trust grounds of the Ashridge Estate, before a sharp downhill finish that can lift you to a PB or ruining your knees!
Organisation is fine for a mid-sized race, and the marshals were in good spirits despite horrendous weather.
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Cobblers Mark
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Even The Rain Couldn't Spoil It!
In full: Massive thanks to the organisers and volunteers at the Berkhamsted Half. So many gave up their Sunday morning to stand in the pouring rain and do at great job at organising this wonderful event.
There were a couple of negatives first off. The downhill finish was great but it was very tight with the traffic trying to come up the hill and there were a few of us trying to get through a gap of a few feet whislt negotiating a fast burst to the line. Could have been a little dangerous. The majority of the route shared with traffic was fine though.
Also, a few people complained about the goodie bag at the end. I'm not overly fussed as I do the race for the experience but it was a little light.
The positives far outweigh the above though. Firstly, the route was lovely, I am so glad that I chose this event over the MK Half, the views were beautiful, much nicer than concrete town.
The marshals were great, enthusiastic and upbeat despite the weather and that can also be said of the clutches of locals dotted around the route.
The hills were a great challenge with plenty of ups and downs to make it interesting too.
I would definitely do this event again and shall be highly recommending it to my fellow club members (many of whom stopped off at MK).
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: EdnaModes
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good race, well organised, slow in places, fast in others and proper pretty.
In full: Hilly, yes, but the downhills are great and very fast. Probably the prettiest race I've done. Well organised with lots if marshalls and fair local support. Weather was bad when I did it, but that can't be helped.
Goodie bag is minimal but my major gripe is the number of people wearing headphones, when they're expressly banned in this race. If they're banned, then runners wearing them should be disqualified.
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Will Thurley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Beautiful scenery distracted me from the rain and my suffering
In full: My 2nd time doing Berkhamsted. A really lovely route and not as hilly as I remembered.
It's a shame the roads aren't closed to traffic.
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: andy strach 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: lovely race - but left a bad taste in the mouth
In full: Well organised, charming race. Challenging hills and lovely scenery. Shame it rained cats and dogs all day.
..but what about the 'Geo' snack bar in the goody bag with a 2005 sell by date - left a bad taste on an otherwise sweet event.
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Roger Clement
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very friendly, well organised, lovely scenery, 2 good hills
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Xena_X
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: great race, one I would do again
In full: I was a bit gutted that all that lovely scenery had to be viewed through a constant downpour of rain, but it was still stunning and worth the effort. A couple of tough hills but the downhills were lovely. Definitely wouldn't advise ipod wearing (as some people were) as there are times when the traffic is a little close for comfort. Only downside was queuing for ages to get out of the car park as I was soaked to the skin, very cold and very hungry!
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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