'Down Tow Up Flow' Thames Towpath Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (167 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: irregular
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: An event which is a change from tarmac pounding
In full: Excellent arrangements on a warmish day.
This is an event that any runner should have a go at.There are no fears for new runners or plodders
as there is always something to look at or receiving encouragement from marshalls.The public on the race route only add to the uniqueness of the event as most folk get out of the way.Well worth entering!
Date of review: July 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Peter Mannion
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A scenic and varied race, well worth the effort of starting and ending in different places!
In full: Organisation was once again impeccable from the Purple Patch team; I've done lots of their races now and they always go like clockwork.
It was unfortunate we couldn't run the whole race along the Thames this year due to Olympic Rowing restrictions but the diversion around Jubilee River was excellent. Scenery was brilliant throughout, especially around Cookham, though the varied terrain and heat made it hard work and certainly not a PB course.
Date of review: July 23, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: N Le-Faye
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Very well organised as usual, look forward to getting back to the old route next year
In full: This was, as always, a very well organised event. Purple Patch seem to lift the level of organisation each year to cope with the increased numbers and everything worked very smoothly again. The use of the business park in Marlow was an ideal way of dealing with parking problems and the new finish venue was excellent. This is always a great race and this year was no exception - typical that it came on the first really hot day for ages!! PP dealt well with the enforced change of route but the route certainly wasn't as scenic as in previous years along the Thames and the road crossings in the first half - while very well marshalled, did break up the run a bit. However, the organisers did well to adapt to the forced change of route so no complaints there.
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Striker JC
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Nice race. Slightly undulating with some stairs (up and down) so not a PB course, but enjoyable enough. Friendly marshals and a very nice medal
In full: Having to get a bus to the start did mean an early wake up, but to compensate it was a nice route (and explains a 10am July start time; just early enough). Fairly flat but enough gates and stairs to slow things a bit. Thankfully these were all late enough that there wasn't much congestion. Reasonable number of water stations on a hot day, but I'd pay a bit extra for jelly babies around mile 10 or 11! A well organised, enjoyable, friendly, picturesque race. Can't understand why no-one was selling cold drinks at the finish though: they'd have made a mint!
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Bettyspaghetti
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Ah and here come Summer!
In full: What a lovely race, the marshalls were fantastic, water stations very well managed - and what a lovely route. Well done Purple Patch for another splendid race
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: YoungPup
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fun in the sun.....
In full: Very well organised, nice riverside route, cheery marshalls, glorious sunshine.... what's not to like!
Well done Purple Patch, I suspect having to re-route the race was a pain in the ar$e for you, but the new route was fab.....
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Anthony Collins 8
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great views, undulating path, well organised - lovely morning run :)
In full: First run of this. Was concerned about muddy puddles beforehand, but it was very mangeable. Set a new PB by 9.5 mins from my 1st ever half marathon. The variety of terrain and views stopped it becoming boring an was challenging at times. Really enjoyed it and would hope to do again next year.
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sarah Pettefer
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it the route the weather the organisation and the novelty of starting in one place finishing in another and despite one expected tumble still managed something like 2.11 would definitely do it again. Sarah
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jenny Kitchen 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: The sun shines, at last, on the Thames :-)
In full: At last the sun shines, but it made this beautiful course a challenge in the unaccustomed heat! Cheerfully marshalled and very well organised, a pleasurable way to celebrate my birthday!...... thank you Purple Patch, I'll be back.
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Muttley
| | 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: Lovely run along the river
In full: My third outing on this one, I think. The course is lovely, although this year's was amended because of the Olympics at Dorney. Organization excellent as ever, especially the baggage stow (essential for us non-drivers who can't leave stuff in the car). The first hot day of summer so I suffered in the heat but otherwise a nice day out. I'll be back.
Date of review: July 22, 2012
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