Larking Gowen City of Norwich Half Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (267 votes). 2008 race reviewed by: Charlie Middleton
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Good event
Date of review: November 30, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Welsh Alex
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Coming from Wales, how I chotled at the talk of 'hills' !
In full: :-)
It has to be said, there were a lot of people talking about 'hills'; to cap it all the bloke on the tannoy even told us to be careful on them ! Coming from Wales as I do this race in my book was pretty near being flat.
There was a short delay at the start, a good move, as there were log jams on the A47. Right decision there. We had a countdown from 5 at the start, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ……. then a somewhat pregnant pause where the hooter should have been. It made me smile, 'buttery smooth with nice touches', yes, that was it !
The two lap route has it plus and minus points. On one hand it is easier to organise, less water stations and so on, and as a runner you know what you are in for in the second half. On the other hand you have to run past the finish at half way which is a heart breaker.
Still, it is a very nice event and one which I would do again. Not worth a 7 hour drive from Wales on its own but if you have to pick a weekend to spend in Yarmouth, as I did, you could do worse than pick the weekend of the Norwich Half.
:-)
Date of review: November 30, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Simon JT Smith
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Another Excellent Norwich Half-Marathon!
In full: I did this race last year and really enjoyed it so came back for more! Weather this year was better - ideal conditions for racing really, cool and dry.
It was a shame that the start was delayed by 15 minutes, presumably to allow late-comers time to park - people really should allow more time to get to big events such as this.
There were a good number of enthusiastic supporters and marshalls around the course and plenty of water stations. No queues at the end to get medal and goodie bag (which did have the usual annoying amount of leaflets in!) and an excellent technical t-shirt.
Overall, a very good event and I even managed a new PB!
Date of review: November 30, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: lightspeed
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: ok race. weather abit better this year
In full: ok race apart from a 15min delay again. nice medal but goodie bag was pants. it was just full of adverts. once you clawed your way through all that paper work ,i did find a bottle of water and a apple.
marshals done a great job ,well done to them.only other bad point was there isnt anything for the supporters to do between the start and finish. might do it again next year (might)..
Date of review: November 30, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: SMUDGER3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race.Loved it
In full: Wow new chip time pbs for both me and my son.2hours 12 mins 56 secs for me and 1 hour 27 and 56 secs for my son.Loved the race.London marathon theme tune played as the race started.Brill marshalls.Will be back next year.Sue and Darren Smith
Date of review: November 30, 2008
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2007 race reviewed by: pint please
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well worth the drive from Warwickshire
In full: Managed to finish under my targeted 2 hours for my first half in torrential rain and wind which just made it even more of an achievement. Two hills at about 3 and 8 miles and another at about 5 and 12. On lap two the one at 8 miles with the strong wind made it feel like you weren't moving. Thankfully the next bit was more sheltered and gave you enough time to recover.
I would like to say thankyou to the marshalls who were all supportive especially in the most quiet parts of the course.
The only slight complaint is that is was a bit congested on the first circuit but that is really only being fussy.
Date of review: December 16, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Tim Ridley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: My 1st Half Marathon, organisation brilliant, support from Marshalls incredible
Date of review: December 13, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Hopalong_1
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The weather should have ruined it - but it didn't. Great time in the rain and wind! but slow.
In full: The rain and large turnout delayed the start but after that it was OK. This was my first go at my "home" half and I will do it next year and hope for better weather.
Date of review: December 12, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: Old Stager
| | 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: My 8th Norwich Half. Leave it in the country side. Don't try to stage it in the City.
In full: Don't moan about the car parks. You ought to come to the Norfolk Show on a wet day & then you would really know whit it can be like.
People were dying at the side of the road last year. This year they were drowning!
Well done Marshalls & Water people. Some of these moaning runners ought to try your job some time. Not so sure abot picking up numbers & chips on the day, especially if you try to move it back to the City. Where would you put everybody? Leave it in the countryside. Doesn't need to be like the big city half marathons. In Norfolk you "do do different"
Date of review: December 12, 2007
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2007 race reviewed by: paininthefoot
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Great race very well organised.
In full: Great Race shame about the weather but they can't help that. Can't belive the number of review's b*tching about the car park and the delayed start. I personally was there on time but think it was good they delayed the start to enable more people being able to start the race together. I will do this race again for sure. I though the chip timing was a good idea and think more races should introduce this.
Date of review: December 11, 2007
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