Tunbridge Wells Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (672 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Gordon Berry
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A few glitches this year, but still a great race
In full: This is my favourite half marathon and once again provided a memorable race day experience. The organisation (with the exception of the goody bags), course, marshalling and enthusiasm of the local support are all of a very high standard.
It was disappointing to hear that so many runners missed out on a goody bag, though at least the race organisers have acknowledged the problem and promised to rectify it for next year.
One other gripe - I finished in a low 1:29 and passed the official 1:30 pacer walking down the finish straight just so he could say that he'd hit his target pace. There's no point having pacers if they're not going to do the job properly.
Date of review: March 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Welsh Girl52
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: What about us back- markers??!
In full: This is the second time I've done this race, the first time was 2010 in the pouring rain and this time the weather was glorious. Although I'm am very very slow, a real back- marker I really enjoyed it. I am reasonably local and train on hills, so whilst That Hill is a bit of a killer it is actually quite enjoyable.
The organisation is, I think, excellent. Other reviewers have mentioned the queue for the loos but there were marshalls moving the queue on and although it was about 30m long when I joined it it moved v quickly.
Comments have been made about the medals.. I think they're great. Not pretty but certainly big and clunky and worth having!
Plus points for those of us at the back
- everyone knows you are the saddos at the back so you get lots and lots of cheers and lots of encouragement . One lady even gave me a cuddle!
- I bet the Speedy Gonzaleses at the front don't get commentated by name over the finish line, well except for the real winners
Minus points:
- the goodie bags have been mentioned loads of times. I did have to hunt out some water and a banana myself but frankly I was quite happy to do without the other rubbish you get in these things
- I understand that the earlier finishers had their medals handed to them by Dame Kelly. I know that she had to get to the prize giving but those of us at the back worked just as hard as those at the front, in fact we probably found it harder so it would have been nice to know that we were recognised too!
Overall a great event and I'll be back next year.... I
Date of review: March 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: AnyOldIron
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Great organisation, great challenge, great facilities, great race!!!!
In full: This was my first half marathon race event and was quite a challenge. Training on the flat beach front of Southsea wasn't the best training for the hills of Tunbridge Wells!
It was a fantastic event though and i thoroughly enjoyed it despite the aches and pains the next week. I will definitely run again next year and would recommend the race to everyone!!!
Date of review: March 6, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lloyd Collier
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great race, great organisation, great facilities, great medal. tough hills!
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: charles smith 7
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: They set the standard for others to follow.
In full: This was a great event. It was well organised throughout. The people of Tunbridge Wells were out supporting which reall lifted the spirit. A few smaal hills and a larger one made it interesting but not too taxing with a little preparation. I highly recomment this race to anyone. If you are organising a race this is the bar.
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jamie Lee
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Definitely one to do again...
In full: The day dawned bright and clear and what was to become an extremely hot day! I had been warned about the "tough" hill and to be honest this hill added with the heat made this a tough course. But I LOVED IT. The views were stunning, the runners and marshalls were brilliant and getting my medal from Dame Kelly (my heroine) I rate this as one of my all time favourites. Not my fastest or slowest time for a half marathon but definitely one I will do again next year. And yes my legs did ache in some very different places. Thanks to Geoff for helping me through the last 2 miles. And a lovely lady who offered me a jelly baby at 12 miles. It was much appreciated. Highly recommend this!!
Date of review: March 5, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Rob Cope
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A very challenging, but rewarding race. Beautiful scenery and very well organised. Superb.
Date of review: March 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Mark Taylor Taylor
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Lovely run with a very fast first half but challenging second half, very friendly race
In full: I'm a TW Harrier but ran this half before I joined -way back. The race and organisation has improved year on year. I guess there was some disapointment this year regarding goody bags but to be honest you didn't miss a lot. If anyone is that desperate they can have mine as it's still in my car. I note people see it as a low PB potential course - my PB is on this course so it can be done but I accept hills are not everyones love. Fantastic event but probably due to it being such a georgeous day with loads of support round the course.
Date of review: March 4, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Dibdobdad
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Great but no goody bags left with over 700 people left to finish?!!!
In full: My first half marathon after 10 years of injuries and the venue was great. Perfect weather, great atmosphere, brilliant en-route support and well organised race HQ were all ruined by the poor organisation at the finish. No goody bags left when I came in and there were a good 500+ people after me - they seem able to ensure only 1 T-shirt per person so why not the same with the doggy bags? The stewards did not seem to care particularly (although I completely appreciate they do it for free and had a long day)which as an obvious non-club runner made me feel that vthey were only interested in those whippits posting fast times (big respect by the way to some of those times on that course in that weather). I hate to be the party pooper as overall it was a brilliant event but I left feeling disappointed and wondering if I will bother next year.
Date of review: March 3, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Kerwinator
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic Well Organised Race
In full: Bit biased as I'm a local Harrier but even so this is one of the best organised races I have run. It has a great course and plenty of support from the residents throughout. Managed to get a new Half PB this year so well chuffed.
Date of review: March 2, 2012
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