Nike Milton Keynes Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (558 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Tenjiso
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I'd like to rate this higher - maybe next year?
In full: I didn't suffer huge problems like some competitors, but can see how elements of the organisation need to be improved.
Timed sections at the start would help to save guessing where best to stand before the race - particularly since it is very congested for several miles of the race with little chance of moving up the field.
Better signage in general. A lot of time was wasted simply trying to get bearings around the HQ.
More warning about the position of the water on the course. A "water ahead" sign would suffice.
A manned baggage area seems obvious.
I enjoyed the race itself. The Marshalls were friendly and did a fairly good job. The flat course has good PB potential.
I feel a bit sorry that I can't award higher marks, but I believe that this could be a great event with some improvements to the organization. I will enter again, with the hope that improvements are made.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Karen A
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Course fine, pre-race organisation terrible.
In full: Race organisation and marshalling was fine. Could have done with more people on the water stations though and the Lucozade sport wasn't flagged at at all. The pre-race organisation was terrible though- cars being turned around from the entrance to go another way. Not surprised to hear some missed the start despite arriving in plenty of time. Having said that the course is quick (would have been quicker if not for that wind on the second half) with PB potential.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Patrick Mulhall
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: THE BIGGEST FARCE I HAVE EVER HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO TAKE PART IN!
In full: I am amazed by some of the positive feedback that has been given - it shows that some people are used to worse or were very fortunate.
This massive event fails to deliver on nearly every level and I so frustrated that I really would like my money back.
(i) Arrival - Little / No guidance to the correct parking. There was 1 man three quarters of the way down the road signposted as to the uni simply turning everyone around. Why was there simply not someone further up the road stopping people from going there in the first place
(ii) Bag protection. RUBBISH. This was a thiefs haven. No clear place to put luggage and clearly no concern by the organisers over individuals goods. perhaps they were on a cut!!!
(iii) Toilets- massive place yet only 2 mens cubicles open in the changing / bag area. Consequently leading to 30 - 40 guys missing the start and similar numbers of women. Perhaps that is why the ankle timer was brought in. They knew they couldnt organise anything so at least the timings will be done!
(Iv) I had the man on the tannoy trying to beckon me over the start line (I was around 10 minutes late off due to delays - I had arrived at the place an hour before start!) - I was waiting for GPS to kick in as it was going to be even more important seeing a there were very few people to run with - yet they just kept on hounding!
(v) I then set off and there are few / no marshalls to guide us along the first few miles. Consequently 20-30 of us go the wrong way and have to try and find ourselves back on route. 1 mile added to the race - 1 FARCE!
(vi) Marshalling in general was poor - occasionally someone would speak / point us in the right direction but generally there was a gormless silence and we were left to try and work out where to go.
(vii) Water fine - no sign of any lucaozade though
(viii) The finish - A £17 medal presented with glee. (OK - it was poor weather by then but I amy have avoided some of it should the above not have happened
I took part as a last minute decision as I am not great at sticking to my long runs alone. This undermined it all - I paid £17 to get frustrated.
The organisers should take a long look att hemselves - is this a profit making exercise ? Well I would like my money back but I dont think I am going to get it.
I am equally sure that there are many people out there that are now missing items.
NIKE - associating yourself with such a poor event does nothing for your reputation in my book.
Well done to those that competed. To those that had a fine time then very well done and to those like myself that feel fleeced that I suggest you simply make it known to others of this disgrace and never waste your time here again.
Finally - to the organisers. Pleae take time to consider the thoughts of participants seriously - both in their safety and the safety of their goods.
The biggest joke is that the scores will still look respectable as I am answering honestly when saying it has PB potential and some of the scenary was OK!
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Rosh Karunaratne
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: New PB!
In full: Did this run in 2006 and thought the finish line this time was far more organised. The wind made this a very challenging run. Think the water stations needed more people on them as at every one i never got any fluid as there was noone holding enough bottles out. A good course though
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Little Miss Giggles
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My first half marathon, so very happy - the wind was a challenge at times.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Neil Webb 3
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Overall a good race.
In full: This is the thrid time i have run the MK Half and really enjoy it. The water stations could have had more people to hand out water but the course and start/finish was really good.
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Richard Dutton
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: not too bad run, shame about the weather for us slow-coaches!
In full: Perfect runnign weather to start with but then by about 9 miles for us we were faced with long stretches of exposed paths with hail and strong winds to contend with =(.
Could have done with a few mroe signposts aroubnd the site, as we ended up parking in the car park next to the finish, and then wandering aimlessly (following other groups doing the same) to try and find the start or baggage. Also, why put the baggage pick-up so far away from the finish?
Date of review: March 9, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Rooney Tevez
| | Overall score | | 20% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 20% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: What a joke!
In full: The overall organisation of this event was seriously lacking in far too many departments. Where were the time indicator boards at the start to help folk line up in some semblence of order? The drinks stations had no warning signs that I could see (Drinks 200m)and were woefully understaffed. And how come the Lucozade trade stand was present in the car park but there was hardly any Lucozade on the course? Then there were far too many places where the course went over junctions without marshals. And what was going on at the finish? Nowhere near enough staff to hand out drinks, just one person handing out medals! The baggage store was a farce and miles from the finish. Someone's made a fortune out of today at the expence of us runners. I'm surprised that a global brand like Nike would want to be associated with such a shambles. Will I be back? Not on your life!
Date of review: March 8, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Paul Dunkley 2
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: It was my first ever race but I'm very happy with my time & seeing as this event 'popped my cherry' I'm elated. .
In full: I dont know why people have been complaining so much about this event. I may be race 'naive' but the event information said arrive around 9.00am. Milton Keynes is geared around the car (sorry for the pun), so why people moan when they arrive at the last minute is beyond me. Arrive late & expect to queue! Yes, there could have been more people handing out the drinks but it was all really friendly & I enjoyed the whole experience. This wont be the last event I do by a long chalk. Isn't that the point? :o)
Date of review: March 8, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Martin Oates
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good race, lots of people, could be worse.
In full: Better than two years ago when i last did it, but, why give out bottles of water without the sports cap??
Date of review: March 8, 2009
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