Mansfield Stars and Stripes Half-MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (165 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Peter Hepton
 | | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 20% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Rubbish course
In full: OK it was hot and I lost 15 mins, but running up and down the same sections of main road is pointless. And a queue at the finish for a drink of water
Date of review: June 27, 2011
|
|
2011 race reviewed by: CraigReed79
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 20% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A mixed bag race
In full: I ran this on the back of being ill for a few days so suffered extremely badly with the weather and hills - 19 minutes down on Sheffield last month.
On the good points, the marshalls and support were very good. Special shout out to the locals with the hosepipes, I just wish they were about throughout the course!
Bad points - dull as dishwater course. Running on A-Roads is uninspiring. The sponges could have been given out later on in the course too, around 9 miles. By the time I had finished, there was no water, which on a day like yesterday is unforgivable. Luckily the runners seemed very sensible and walked when needed rather than pushing themselves to collapsing from dehydration.
Date of review: June 27, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Mark Webster 5
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Too hot
In full: Too hot and too many inclines, needed another water station about where the subway was. Still, my third year on the trot, we keep coming back. Highlights, the jelly babies at West Notts college and the chaps with the hosepipes. The blokes in the "morph" suits must be mad!
Date of review: June 27, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: cider68
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Somehow I did enjoy it!
In full: I was impressed with all the stuff there for families including fun run. The course was fairly dull with lots of A roads and it was an incredibly hot day for a half! However, in retrospect I enjoyed it and there the water stations were well staffed and plenty of them. The hills not too onerous (or wouldn't have been if not so hot)but a very up/down course and only flat between miles 9 and 10. Could have probably got a PB but heat forced me to walk, but I was happy with it. It was very well marshaled. A good atmosphere and a friendly race. A long way to come from Plymouth though, just to get a t-shirt that had to be purchased at time of entering and no goody bag, just a cup of water! Yes, I would do it again!
Date of review: June 27, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Colin Talbot
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It is not pleasant running on the pavement alongside very busy main roads
In full: Very disappointing!. I have run the Mansfield half on several courses but this was, in my opinion, the worst. The noise and fumes from very heavy traffic accompanied runners for most of the first half of the course. In other stretches the pavement was only suitable for single file running. There were no T shirts (unless you paid) or medals or goody bags. This was not a bad thing as it might well have kept the price of entry down. I found great difficulty finding my way back to the road I wanted after the event as many roads were closed. Very good for safety of runners but more information on this would have been helpful.
Having said all that, the marhalls were excellent and most supportive. The atmosphere in the park was very good and the parking first rate. Special thanks to the man with a hose pipe round about mile 12!
Date of review: June 26, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: amy Taylor 6
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great atmosphere, even with the hills and very hot weather!
In full: This was my 1st 1/2. Not the easiet with the hills, but ran all the way in 2hrs 16 mins. Marshalls were very supportive as were the locals (especially those with hoses!) Great day out for non runners, and the t-shirt is great quality for just a fiver!
Date of review: June 26, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Antony Birks
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised but dull course
Date of review: June 26, 2011
|
2011 race reviewed by: Michael Jackson 9
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Well organised half
In full: Excellent organisation in Berry Park - lots of activities for non-runners. Well manned water stations - sponges very welcome. A big thankyou to the bloke with a hosepipe - really welcome !
Date of review: June 26, 2011
|
2010 race reviewed by: LEE MARSHALL 7
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: VERY VERY HOT
In full: It was a lot harder then i thought it was going to be,and the heat was terrible.At this time of year you have to expect the sun to shine,but with no shade for long periods it takes it toll.The T-SHIRT was great one you can run in and not get run over,the marshalls were all great "thankyou for the all of the support" and i may see you next year if i can forget those nasty inclines
Date of review: July 1, 2010
|
2010 race reviewed by: payless
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Heat and injury 'clouded' my enjoyment of the day!
In full: This is my local race, and entered it as I had a very good race last year.
Unfortunately my calf went at 8 mile, so I had to run/walk the last 5 miles. However, the heat might have done me anyway - prior to my calf going, I was getting goosebumps, and shivering, and I have been reliably informed that this is a sympton of heat stroke!
I know that the organisers can't sort the weather, but I thought that given that all forecasts were that it would be the hottest day of the year, there might have been more water stations.
Date of review: June 29, 2010
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
