Bedford Harriers Oakley 12 & 20Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (458 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: running belle
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Organisation and marshalling, excellent - thank you!
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
|
2012 race reviewed by: KEvans
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: This was OK as races go but I'm not sure I'll rush back to do it again
In full: This was my first time at the Oakley 20 and if today was truly representative of the norm then all I can say is, arrive as early as you possibly can, short of pitching up as dawn breaks. I arrived an hour before the start and it was nowhere near early enough to get sorted out adequately without a bit of panic rising. Rarely have I encountered such a congested Race HQ/start to a race; I think the venue is just too small for the size of the race. The parking was not great; the number of portaloos was not great. If it wasn't for Emily and Paulette who kindly kept my space in the portaloo queue whilst I did the requisite race admin, I would either have had to run with my bag and without a timing chip or with a very full bladder. Credit where credit's due - the marshals were great and there was a nice amount of support from the locals en route. This was my third 20 mile race in the last few weeks but the one I enjoyed the least. The truth is, the Ashby 20 spoils you. Sorry Bedford Harriers!
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: katie sherwood 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: If you live in Cambridgeshire this felt a lot more than undulating, but a great course and what goes up must come down..
In full: Really enjoyed the atmosphere, busy at the start and parking is always going to be an issue for a relatively big race. Great orange top!! Frequent water stops were very welcome as were all the encouraging cheers from marshals and supporters. Drinks and fruit at the end were a nice touch, thank you Oakley!
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Neuv
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: What a horrible last mile!!!
In full: Please tell me that VLM is not that hilly??
A good race that was well marshalled (Thank you)with a scenic route but boy did I find the hills tough!! There didn't seem any point where you weren't running up or down a hill.
Organisation before the race could have been better, I arrived over na hour before the race and was marshalled to a car park a good 10-15 mins walk from the school, luckily I got a space on the surrounding streets! Start was a little confusing with the constant shouts of 'move back'. Once it got started it was good but the last mile was horrible, it seemed to go on forever!
Last point is I would 100% pay more to have bottled water, I ended up throwing half the water up my face and struggling with hydration.
2:45 so happy with that!
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: David Gillett 5
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great course, plenty of water, but start messy and venue a bit small
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Christopher Limmer
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Nice little run in the sun... in a skirt :p
In full: Having done Ashby for a standard time I was always going to be taking a different approach to this one today (hence the fancy dress).
Lovely challenging course which really did not have much in the way of flat stuff. The marshalls n support were great too.
I hate to compare it too much to Ashby as that is so good but just a bit of squash instead of water at the water stations and maybe even something akin to a goody bag at the end of the race.
Saying that I had a blast :) and the pb by 21 seconds was the biggest fluke ever.
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Jonathan Moscrop
| | 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: The best marathon preparation race in the South East
In full: Glorious Scenic route, mildly undulating, extremely well organised and marshalled and so friendly! The was so much support along the route, so uplifting. An exceptional event. Certainly one for the calendar! And love the hoody!
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Teresa English
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A beautiful well marshalled run and especially love the sweatshirt idea.
In full: The only disappointment with this run was finding somewhere to park and not being enough toilets. However once running I loved the route and scenery with plenty or support and excellent marshalls. Perfect amount of water stops too. A really great run :o)
Date of review: April 1, 2012
|
2011 race reviewed by: running belle
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: One of the best organised races I have ever done (I've done quite a few!) Marshals were superb - very well supported course and all really encouraging. Perfect test run for a Spring marathon.
In full: Lots of club runners, but only because most people don't run 20 miles for fun! I was training for London, but had a great run at Oakley. Nice hoodie as souvenir.
Date of review: April 15, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: jules_perox
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: ++Tougher 20 miler WITH hills! Shock horror!++
In full: This was a lot more challenging than i kinda expected to be honest! Good course, beautiful scenery but those hills! Man, they were tough!
The Marshalls deserve special mention as I don't think i passed one without them shouting encouragement, especially the one at mile 18.75 ;o)
Loved the Hoody, thought the goody bag a little bit of a token gesture but I enjoyed the bar.
Start needs organising better. The 'walk through the masses as far back as you can and then turn round' idea was a bit daft!
But didn't spoil an otherwise tough, enjoyable race.
many thanks to the Bedford Harriers
Date of review: April 8, 2011
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
