Ufdance Runners' Quest Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (199 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Charles Jans
 | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Short but fun
In full: One big negative - the course was at least 200m short; anyone who thinks they ran a pb, didn't. It doesn't count.
That said, not many other complaints. Organisers were friendly and efficient. Changing facilities were good. Nice goody bag. Start seemed fine to me, although can understand people finding it a bit chaotic
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: riospurs
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Flat course, great pb potential, shambolic start!
In full: First of all, huge thanks for the effort from all of the organisers. Appreciate it can't have been much fun watching people run around whilst it was pouring with rain on an exposed playing field. They were brilliant, loads of encouragment and the pre and post race food was perfectly judged.
This is the second consecutive year i've run this race and start line problems again i'm afraid! Having run it last year, I knew what way round we were going to be running, so lined up on the start line directly facing about 300 people who had not been properly instructed. When everyone was told what way around it was, people simply turned around, not instructed back behind the start line, which affected the distance and meant me having to fight through a big crowd of people. Just having somebody stationed at the start line to direct people would have been all that was needed, as opposed to 'go over there and we'll come and organise you afterwards'. I'm not super-quick, but always run for a time so very frustrating from that point of view, no 'faster runners at the front' type announcements. We were also a few minutes late setting off.
Sounds like a big whinge up but it was just the one thing that STILL needs to be worked on, despite the feedback from last year. Very simple to fix. Sort the start and it's a clockwork race. Thanks again guys!
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: gatters
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: great race, great atmosphere
In full: negative- as a few others have stated the start line needs sorting out, just a couple of cones to mark it would do the job rather than us having to guess where it is
positives- everything else. a fantastic race on a dead flat course, I'm sure I've run hillier races on a track, perfect for beginners but also great pb potential. the marshalls were fantastic, 2 water stations on a 2 mile loop meant no one was ever going to go thirsty. jelly babies, flapjacks and energy drinks beforehand and more of the same after along with medals certificates and a fantastic goody bag (I'm loving the bagel, butter, jam, knife and napkin)
this is one I'll definitely be back for
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Darren McHale 2
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A fast, flat race with a great atmosphere, but organisation could be improved
In full: This was my second time running the UFD half, and I know it's a long-running gripe but it would have been nice to have the distance certified, as we started a long way back from where we did a couple of years ago! The start was pretty shambolic, with nobody being able to determine where the start line was or even what direction we should be running in!
Those complaints aside, it was a really enjoyable race - the organisers and marshalls were more enthusiastic that at pretty much any race I've run, which was doubly impressive given that they were standing around for hours in the freezing rain!
I think lapped races are like marmite - you either love or hate them, but there's no denying that this race has huge PB potential; you won't find a flatter half anywhere!
All in all, an enjoyable morning, and a PB for me! I'll be back agin, hopefully for a distance-certified half......
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Craig Cowell
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good fun, enthusiastically marshalled, not the greatest organisation
In full: Pre-race communications were a bit of a muddle, and the race didn't start that well as there was no real start line, just an area where people amassed (initially all facing the wrong direction). But the pre-race warm up and DJ were good fun, the marshalls were some of the most lively I have ever seen (despite the rain) and there was a decent goodie bag and free food before the start.
The race itself - I thought 6 laps would be dull, but the actual route was reasonably varied and the laps helped with pacing (as there were no mile markers). It was flat as a pancake and I took a few minutes off my PB. All in all, well worth it, especially if you are local.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Keith Richardson 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very friendly if mildly chaotic
In full: Good changing facilities at Hackney Marshes. Stewards and staff all very helpful, friendly and encouraging. A bit chaotic when we got led to the start, not helped by the rain to be fair. Could have done with a megaphone for pre race instructions. Course pretty good, thought it was going to be laps of the football pitches but it takes on paths along the river. My first attempt at a HM and would certainly go back.
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: good kev
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: can't work out why i haven't run it before
In full: really well organised but relaxed HM - great route (x6), a bit of a mix of terrain, and quite a mix of ability so anyone would be welcome if they are up for the distance. Probably wasn't the fastest day for it, but definite pb potential. Marshalls did a sterling job in the rain.
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Trish Moody
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: Really enjoyed this race today - was expecting to hate doing 6 laps of the same course, however liked the fact that I knew what was coming ahead. Nice scenery running through Hackney Marshes & along the canal with some great marshalls cheering & dancing as everybody ran by (despite the rain ! ). I only entered this as a training run but came out with a PB & actually liked the fact that it wasn't a massive run with huge amounts of faster club runners. Really liked the friendliness of the organisers & the great free food - fabulous food bag at the finish with a bagel, clementine, & biscuits. Nice touch to give everybody both a medal & a certificate. As this is a great local run for me, I will definitely be up for doing it again. A big well done to the organisers.
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Runnerman999
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very friendly race, all organisers/marshals very enthusiastic and helpful.
In full: Nice race, course was straightforward and the 6 laps was easier than expected. Could get a little crowded at parts towards the end of the race. Only real negative was the rain at the end, really dispersed the crowd!
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: leszek ambrozy 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: Fantastic race and very good atmosphere-a big thank you to everyone who participated in organizing this magnificient race,
Date of review: September 23, 2012
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