Finchley 20Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (302 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: northern minstrel
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Tough but rewarding
In full: I thought I would, but I found that I don't mind four laps. It's reassuring to be able to spot the landmarks as you go round again and again. The legendary lady at mile 4 (not wearing a bib - is she even a marshall?) was really pumped up. I also enjoyed seeing 'petrol station lady' running backwards and forwards in slow motion somewhere after mile 3. Some energy drinks at one of the water points would have been helpful in the second half of the race. If you have to do twenty miles before a marathon, this is a good one to do.
Date of review: March 15, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: J Newman 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: First time running this event and the marshalls with HAC club support got me round.
In full: Brilliant support from HAC, thank you to everyone at the club, I couldn't have done it without you! Marshall support was so very helpful in keeping me going. Tea and cake to finish, well done in the club house!
Date of review: March 15, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Ruislip^Guy
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good marathon prep..Fair mix of up and downhills
In full: Good 4 lap race around Ruislip and Ickenham. Time seemed to go quickly and the 4 lap route helps with pacing and knowing whats coming next. 1st lap was new, 2nd and 3rd laps were dull and 4th you knew it was the last!!
Date of review: March 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chris Quelch
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Very Enthusiatic & fantastic support along route!
In full: Very Enthusiatic & fantastic support along route! Great marshalls, especially older marshall on downhill bit, bonkers and great cheering us on! Thanks to Jelly babycrew. PB and sub 3, just close main road next time please! Swap medal for t-shirt, fleece or rugby shirt. Well organised, small club and good 4 lap course!
Date of review: March 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Wexter
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Good marathon warm up
In full: I entered this race as preparation for my marathon training. I had never run as far as this before so guaranteed a personal best for completing it. This was a 4 lap course and was a bit disconcerting at times to be overtaken by decent runners, especially when I had one lap to go and people were finishing. Also there was traffic on the roads which I had assumed would be closed though it was well marshalled.
Big thanks to the marshals specially the enthusiastic ones towards the end of the lap , the ones handing out jelly babies and the lovely people shouting encouragement.
Date of review: March 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Flying Pig
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great marathon prep.
Date of review: March 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Linda McQuaid
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Has to be done- a 20 miler with 5 weeks to go but this race makes it bearable
In full: The race itself was brilliant- I like the 4 lap format as its good for pacing. Water and marshalls generally good- couple of ups and downs: to the marshalls who took a shine to my car when I was parking and then made me smile every time I passed them by commenting on it... and then topped it off my handing me my lost key (because they knew I was the Jaguar driver) a million thanks- you rescued me from untold grief from 'im indoors. To the lady on Mile 4- as everyone says- you played a blinder and next time I marshall a race I will remember you. The jelly babies were very welcome and the "caution" sign made me smile. There was a point where one marshall was alone (I think it was just before the turn for the 1 mile marker) and so he didn't or couldn't control the traffic and that would have been welcome as some of the cars were travelling a little too fast; otherwise... a great day out, and for me, made greater still by a stonking PB! Thanks all...
Date of review: March 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Footpad
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: 4 laps of 5miles: Some undulations but great for a PB
In full: The organisation id excellent. The marshalls really keep you going and deserve medals of their own! Some nice downhills followed of course by the uphill. Not too steep and runable! A good challanging 20 miler!
Date of review: March 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: laurag
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good pre-marathon warm up
In full: I finished 12 mins faster than when I did it 2 years ago, still have some skin on my feet and am not on crutches, so a big success in that respect! But I still found it a tough race and lost 11 minutes on my last lap.
Thankyou to the marshals especially the star at mile 4 who must have burnt as many calories at the runners(!), the lady dancing and cheering by the texaco garage, and the man who remembered me after a lap to pass me my bottle at the 2 mile water station. I missed the jazz band that was at about mile 3.5 in 2009, but the "caution- jelly baby" signs made me smile.
Boo to the person who took my drink labelled with my name and number!
Date of review: March 14, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Stephen Blakeney
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Loved it
In full: As others have mentioned, 4 laps sounds like it will be dull but it actually makes the race much better and the good atmosphere makes it very enjoyable. The mile 4 marshal was excellent, especially when she had the two little girls singing their chant about 'you're gonna reach the finish line!'
I agree with others that marshals were a mixed bag (including 6 marshals looking after a car on a straight piece of road when the section just before the end of the lap could have done with a few more marshals) but I think it's just because the really enthusiastic marshals made the others look bad!
One recommendation I'd have is moving the water station at mile 0 about half a mile or a mile back round the course to somewhere quieter!
Overall I have to say I really enjoyed it and think the course was well sign posted and very enjoyable - would definitely do it again!
Date of review: March 13, 2011
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