Tunbridge Wells Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (672 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Lee Clark 5
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it , great goody bag, Dame Kelly and that hill wasn't that bad
In full: Great race. Was really nervous beforehand as I really wanted to break 1hr50 in my 3rd Half. It was a big ask. The 1:50 pacemakers disappeared but my Garmin paced me much much better. I finished in 1hr48mins48secs which beat my PB by over 6 minutes and the pacemakers were nowhere to be seen. I was petrified about the hill but it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected and over quicker than expected too. I would have liked an energy gel before the hill, fortunately I had my own. The support from the marshalls was probably the best I have received in any race and I was amazed at the support in the villages and people outside their own houses.
All in all, I really enjoyed this tough Half and will be back.
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Stephen Thackeray
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great Event
In full: Great event, well organised, excellent value for money, weather was perfect today.
Not as hard as I thought, plenty of downhills where you can hammer it & the "notorious" isnt as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Only gripe is that you shouldnt give gels as grim as that out at the top of that hill, that was the hardest part of the race, running up to the crest of that hill & then trying to take down a gel with the consistency of crude oil. Cant think of a more inappropriate product to give out at that or any other part of the race.
Apart from that, give yourselves a pat on the back & a round of applause.
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Hodgey71
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well-organised, friendly race
In full: My first attempt at the TW Half - enjoyed it all, yes even THAT hill in the middle! Will definately be back next year. Well-organised, everyone v friendly, generous goody bag and a technical T.
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: polygro
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: What a great race!
In full: My first half marathon but not my last!
Fabulous organisation resulting in a great atmosphere. I can't praise the pace-makers enough - thanks so much to the sub 2 hour guys; so motivational and I wouldn't have done it without you! Roll on next year...
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Chestfield Bill
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Brilliant race, excellent organisation, great value for money
In full: This is the first time I have run TW and it won't be the last. The organisation was faultless, loads of marshals, plenty of water stations well manned, lots of road closures resulting in an excellent traffic free experience. The goody bag at the end was the best I have ever had and that was in addition to a T shirt and a medal. The locals were fantastic in their support, very welcoming, very vocal and my own special thanks go to a local runner whose namre unfortunately I did not get who hopped into my car and directed me to Race HQ when I got hopelessly lost on my way there. Finally, and this was the icing on the cake for me, it was a big surprise to find Dame Kelly Holmes handing out the medals at the end, how many races can claim that. Like the Terminator, I'll be back.
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jackie Riggs 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Really excellent organisation pacers were fabulous
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Mr. Fink-Nottle
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Superb event.
In full: This was my second successive running of this wonderful event. This year, we could see the beautiful Kent countryside as there was no fog or mist in sight. The course was dry unlike last year, so no wading through mildly flooded areas of the route. The organisation was top notch: friendly marshals (and police!), well-manned drinks stations, gel station, litter drops and an atmosphere so inclusive you felt at home immediately. Wonderful little 'expo' in the school gymnasium that acted as the Race HQ. Excellent indoor baggage drop very efficiently handled.
And your rewards for what is a really testing but very enjoyable run? A beautiful bespoke medal, a proper technical T-shirt ideal for training in, and a very generous goody bag overflowing with all sorts of treats. I took longer to complete the event this year because of a painful niggle in my left leg which slowed me down quite a lot at Mile 10, so didn't see Dame Kelly at the end, sadly.
All in all, very well done to TW Harriers for their efforts. Superb. Next year? Bring it on!!
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: runjennirun
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Ouch
In full: 2nd time I've done this race and can't work out how I managed to run it so fast the two years ago. That killer hill at 7 miles is EVIL. No walking for me this week, let alone being able to run.
Good organisation pre-race, regular emails telling you how it's going, Kelly Holmes on the start and Liz Yelling running a course record - amazing!! How do people run 5min/miles???
Great marshalls, all friendly and encouraging. Great drums and crowd support, even in the villages people turned out with jelly babies.
Weather most definitely helped too.
So no PB this year, but on the list for next year.
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: keef55
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fabulous Event
In full: The best event I have done. Organisation absolutely superb. Queue for loos initially daunting but plenty of them so it moved fast. Great course with fabulous views. Spring Hill is very tough and makes a pb difficult but I ran probably my best race ever even though I was just outside pb.
And to receive your medal from Kelly Holmes is just the icing on the cake.
Many congrats to TW Harriers.
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Race Jase
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough hills, brilliant organisation, great day.
Date of review: February 27, 2011
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